What is the meaning of Proverbs 6:29? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife The proverb ties back to the fire-in-the-lap illustration in verses 27-28, showing that adultery is as sure to burn as live coals on bare skin. • God designed marriage to be an exclusive covenant (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5-6). • Adultery breaks the seventh commandment outright (Exodus 20:14). • It violates both spouses, families, and ultimately God (2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 51:4). • Jesus widens the issue to the heart: “everyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). • The wording “sleeps with another man’s wife” makes adultery personal, deliberate, and relational—never a harmless mistake (Proverbs 7:21-23). no one who touches her will go unpunished The warning moves from the act (“sleeps”) to any approach (“touches”), stressing that even flirtation courts judgment. • “No one” removes the idea of exceptions; status, secrecy, or rationalizations do not shield from consequences (Numbers 32:23; Galatians 6:7-8). • Punishment can be: – Internal: guilt, loss of peace, seared conscience (Proverbs 5:12-13). – Relational: broken marriages, distrust, wounded children (Proverbs 6:33-34). – Physical: disease, financial loss, even violence from the offended spouse (Proverbs 5:11; 6:34-35). – Spiritual: exclusion of the unrepentant from God’s kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) and divine discipline now (Hebrews 13:4). • “Touches” also reminds believers to “flee from sexual immorality” rather than see how close they can get (1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6). • Yet the same God who warns also forgives the repentant (John 8:11; 1 John 1:9), urging us to choose holiness and guard our marriages (Proverbs 5:15-20; Hebrews 13:4). summary Proverbs 6:29 states plainly that adultery is never safe: the act invites inevitable, multifaceted punishment because it violates God’s holy design for marriage. The wise take the warning to heart, avoid even the first “touch,” and cultivate faithfulness that honors the Lord and preserves life. |
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