Adultery is a serious sin that the Bible addresses repeatedly, emphasizing the importance of marital faithfulness and integrity. Both in the Old and New Testaments, God’s Word warns against the destructive consequences of adultery, not only for individuals but for families and communities. The sanctity of marriage is a central theme in scripture, and the Bible’s teachings on adultery serve as both a moral guide and a reminder of the importance of fidelity, trust, and covenant relationships.
Adultery is more than just an act of unfaithfulness between two people; it is a violation of the covenant between a person, their spouse, and God. The Bible warns that adultery harms the soul, damages relationships, and goes against God’s design for marriage. While adultery is condemned, God’s Word also provides a path to repentance, forgiveness, and healing for those who have fallen into this sin.
In this listicle, we’ll explore 20 Bible verses about adultery from the New King James Version (NKJV). These verses highlight the gravity of this sin while also offering hope for restoration through repentance and the grace of God.
Bible Verses About Adultery
1. Exodus 20:14
“You shall not commit adultery.”
2. Leviticus 20:10
“The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.”
3. Proverbs 6:32
“Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.”
4. Matthew 5:27-28
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
5. Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
6. Proverbs 5:3-5
“For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, And her mouth is smoother than oil; But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, Sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, Her steps lay hold of hell.”
7. 2 Samuel 11:2-4
“Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, ‘Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’ Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house.”
8. James 4:4
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
9. Proverbs 7:18-20
“Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; He has gone on a long journey; He has taken a bag of money with him, And will come home on the appointed day.”
10. Matthew 19:9
“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
11. Mark 10:11-12
“So He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.'”
12. Hosea 3:1
“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans.'”
13. Proverbs 6:29
“So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.”
14. Luke 16:18
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.”
15. Exodus 20:17
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
16. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”
17. Proverbs 2:16-17
“To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words, Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God.”
18. John 8:3-5
“Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?'”
19. Romans 7:2-3
“For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.”
20. Malachi 2:14-16
“Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the Lord has been witness Between you and the wife of your youth, With whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion And your wife by covenant. But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring. Therefore take heed to your spirit, And let none deal treacherously with the wife of his youth. ‘For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence,’ Says the Lord of hosts. ‘Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously.'”
5 Ways to Apply These Bible Verses
- Guard Your Heart and Mind
Avoid temptation by setting boundaries and protecting your heart from situations that could lead to infidelity. Be vigilant in prayer and fill your mind with God’s truth to strengthen your commitment to marital faithfulness. - Seek Accountability
Surround yourself with fellow believers who can hold you accountable. Whether through a Bible study group, a mentor, or trusted friends, having accountability can help you maintain a life of integrity. - Practice Repentance and Forgiveness
If you have committed adultery, the Bible offers hope through repentance. Seek God’s forgiveness, turn away from sin, and work to restore trust in your marriage through humility, prayer, and a commitment to change. - Honor the Covenant of Marriage
Marriage is a sacred covenant designed by God. Use these verses to remind yourself of the importance of fidelity and the lifelong commitment marriage entails. Regularly renew your vows and invest in your marriage relationship. - Extend Grace and Reconciliation
If you are a victim of adultery, ask God for the strength to extend forgiveness and seek healing in your heart. While reconciliation may not always be possible, God can provide grace, comfort, and guidance through the difficult path of recovery.
Conclusion
The Bible’s teachings on adultery are clear: it is a sin that damages relationships, families, and spiritual integrity. However, God also offers grace and a path to healing for those willing to repent and seek restoration.
These verses highlight the importance of faithfulness in marriage, the destructive power of unfaithfulness, and the hope that God offers through His mercy. By applying these scriptures to our lives, we can uphold the sacredness of marriage and live in a way that honors God’s design for relationships.
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