Adultery is a serious issue addressed throughout the Bible, highlighting the covenant of marriage and the importance of fidelity. Scripture teaches that faithfulness in relationships is vital to maintaining trust, love, and a strong bond between partners. These verses serve as a reminder of the consequences of infidelity and the emotional pain it can cause, not only for those directly involved but also for families and communities.
The Bible emphasizes the sanctity of marriage and encourages individuals to uphold their commitments. It speaks to the importance of seeking forgiveness, healing, and restoration for those who have been affected by adultery. These passages urge us to turn to God for strength, guidance, and transformation, highlighting His desire for us to live in holiness and truth.
As you explore these Bible verses about adultery, reflect on the significance of trust and loyalty in your relationships. Allow these teachings to inspire a commitment to faithfulness and to seek God’s love and grace in all aspects of your life.
Bible Verses About Adultery
Understanding the Biblical Definition of Adultery
“You shall not commit adultery.” – Exodus 20:14
More Related Verses:
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:28
“For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” – 1 Corinthians 7:4
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” – Hebrews 13:4
Also Read: Bible Verses About Identity (with Related Verses)
Old Testament Teachings on Adultery
“If a man is found lying with the wife of another man, both of them shall die, the man who lay with the woman, and the woman.” – Leviticus 20:10
More Related Verses:
“The woman shall say, ‘I am innocent; my husband is aware of what I have done.'” – Deuteronomy 22:21
“He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.” – Proverbs 6:32
“You divorce your wife, and she goes and marries another man, will he return to her? Would not that land be greatly polluted? You have played the whore with many lovers; would you return to me?” – Jeremiah 3:1
New Testament Perspectives on Adultery
“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” – 1 Corinthians 7:2
More Related Verses:
“When they bring him to the ground, the Court will judge him with righteousness.” – John 8:11
“Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done no wrong.'” – Proverbs 30:20
“For it is better to be married than to burn with passion.” – 1 Corinthians 7:9
Consequences of Adultery in the Bible
“But if a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.” – Leviticus 20:10
More Related Verses:
“You will weep, but your weeping will be turned to joy.” – John 16:20
“A man who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself.” – Proverbs 6:32
“The soul of a sinner shall be cut off from the people.” – Ezekiel 18:24
Jesus’ Teaching on Adultery
“For I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” – Matthew 19:9
More Related Verses:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart.” – Matthew 5:27-28
“He called them to himself and said, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?'” – Matthew 19:3
“And the Lord said, ‘You have spoken well. For this you shall be forgiven.'” – Luke 7:47
The Role of Forgiveness After Adultery
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
More Related Verses:
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
“For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” – Jeremiah 31:34
Adultery and Marriage Covenant
“Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate.” – Mark 10:9
More Related Verses:
“For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church.” – Ephesians 5:23
“And let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.” – 1 Corinthians 7:3
“Thus says the Lord: ‘If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night would not come at their appointed time.'” – Jeremiah 33:20
Biblical Examples of Adultery
“And David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her.” – 2 Samuel 11:4
More Related Verses:
“The people of Israel committed whoredom with their neighbors.” – Ezekiel 23:37
“And Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child.” – Matthew 1:18
“Peter went out and wept bitterly.” – Matthew 26:75
The Heart’s Role in Adultery
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” – Proverbs 4:23
More Related Verses:
“But Jesus, knowing their hearts, said, ‘Why do you put me to the test?'” – Matthew 22:18
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:28
“Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27
Adultery and Idolatry in the Bible
“For you are still a holy people to the Lord your God.” – Deuteronomy 7:6
More Related Verses:
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above.” – Exodus 20:4
“Go after other gods, serving them and worshiping them.” – Deuteronomy 29:18
“He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:37
Repentance and Redemption after Adultery
“But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
More Related Verses:
“And the Lord has taken away your sin; you shall not die.” – 2 Samuel 12:13
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10
“You are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” – Nehemiah 9:17
How to Avoid the Temptation of Adultery
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” – 1 Corinthians 10:12
More Related Verses:
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:18
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you.” – Colossians 3:5
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” – Job 31:1
Adultery and Its Impact on Family
“And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, and an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine.” – 1 Samuel 1:24
More Related Verses:
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” – Psalm 127:3
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” – 1 Timothy 5:8
“The family that walks in righteousness will stand.” – Proverbs 12:7
The Role of Prayer in Overcoming Adultery
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
More Related Verses:
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2
“You do not have because you do not ask.” – James 4:2
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” – Matthew 21:22
Adultery in the Context of Lust
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” – Matthew 5:28
More Related Verses:
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.” – 1 John 2:16
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:8
Providing Support to Those Affected by Adultery
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
More Related Verses:
“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” – Isaiah 40:1
“Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
The Importance of Accountability in Relationships
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
More Related Verses:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” – James 5:16
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” – Matthew 18:20
Cultural Views on Adultery Throughout History
“In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.” – Psalm 120:1
More Related Verses:
“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so.” – Jeremiah 5:31
“You shall not follow a multitude to do evil.” – Exodus 23:2
“This is a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord.” – Isaiah 30:9
The Call to Fidelity in Relationships
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:24
More Related Verses:
“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.'” – Mark 10:6
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:39
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” – Ephesians 5:25
The Importance of Communication to Prevent Adultery
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” – Colossians 4:6
More Related Verses:
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” – Hosea 4:6
“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.” – Proverbs 18:13
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11
Trust Restoration after Adultery
“So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.” – Luke 17:3
More Related Verses:
“Love keeps no record of wrongs.” – 1 Corinthians 13:5
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
Can Adultery Ever Be Justified?
“Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.” – Proverbs 21:4
More Related Verses:
“For we are all guilty; none of us are without sin.” – Romans 3:23
“God will not abandon his people.” – Psalm 94:14
“No one can serve two masters.” – Matthew 6:24
Love and Adultery in the Bible
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you.” – John 13:34
More Related Verses:
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4
“Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend.” – Proverbs 27:10
“Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
God’s Perspective on Adultery
“For I hate divorce, says the Lord.” – Malachi 2:16
More Related Verses:
“Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment.'” – Amos 2:6
“The Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming.” – Psalm 37:13
“Your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he does not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2
Overcoming Grief from Adultery
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
More Related Verses:
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalm 147:3
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” – Psalm 55:22
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
Final Thoughts
Adultery is a significant issue addressed throughout the Bible, revealing the sacredness of marriage and the importance of fidelity. Scriptures provide clear guidance on the destructive nature of adultery, not only in terms of personal relationships but also in a broader spiritual context. The warnings against such actions are steeped in love, meant to guide individuals toward healing, forgiveness, and restoration.
While the Bible presents the consequences of adultery, it also showcases the power of repentance and redemption. God’s grace and mercy extend to all who seek forgiveness, regardless of their past. Thus, the journey of healing from the scars of adultery is also a journey toward spiritual growth and renewed intimacy with God.
In understanding the depth of commitment within marriage, believers are called to uphold their vows with integrity and pursue conversations founded on love and truth.