An adulterer, according to biblical teachings, is an individual who engages in sexual relations with someone other than their lawful spouse. This act is considered a grave sin in the Christian faith, violating the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God. The Bible consistently condemns adultery, emphasizing its destructive impact on individuals, families, and communities.

Biblical Definition and Context

Adultery is explicitly prohibited in the Ten Commandments, where God commands, "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). This commandment underscores the importance of marital fidelity and the sacred covenant between a husband and wife. The act of adultery is seen as a betrayal not only of one's spouse but also of God's divine order for marriage.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, adultery is frequently addressed as a serious offense. Leviticus 20:10 prescribes severe consequences for those caught in adultery: "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death" . This reflects the gravity with which the sin was regarded in ancient Israelite society.

The book of Proverbs also warns against the allure and consequences of adultery. Proverbs 6:32 states, "He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself" . This passage highlights the self-destructive nature of adultery, emphasizing the moral and spiritual decay it brings upon the individual.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reaffirms the prohibition against adultery and expands its understanding. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). This teaching emphasizes the importance of purity in thought and intention, not just in action.

The Apostle Paul also addresses adultery in his epistles, listing it among the works of the flesh that are contrary to the Spirit. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul warns that those who practice such things "will not inherit the kingdom of God" . This underscores the incompatibility of adultery with a life led by the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual Implications

Adultery is seen as a sin that not only harms human relationships but also one's relationship with God. It is often used metaphorically in the Bible to describe unfaithfulness to God, as seen in the prophetic writings where Israel's idolatry is likened to adultery (e.g., Jeremiah 3:8-9, Ezekiel 16:32).

Repentance and Forgiveness

Despite the severity of the sin, the Bible offers hope for adulterers through repentance and forgiveness. In John 8:3-11, Jesus encounters a woman caught in adultery and, after challenging her accusers, tells her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more" . This passage illustrates the possibility of redemption and the transformative power of Christ's forgiveness.

The call to repentance is echoed throughout Scripture, urging those who have sinned to turn back to God and seek His mercy. In 1 John 1:9, believers are assured, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" .

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on adultery is clear: it is a sin that violates the sanctity of marriage and disrupts the divine order established by God. However, through genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, forgiveness and restoration are available to all who seek it.1. (n.) A man who commits adultery; a married man who has sexual intercourse with a woman not his wife.

2. (n.) A man who violates his religious covenant.

3432. moichos -- an adulterer
... an adulterer. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: moichos Phonetic
Spelling: (moy-khos') Short Definition: an adulterer Definition: an adulterer ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3432.htm - 6k5003. naaph -- to commit adultery
... root Definition to commit adultery NASB Word Usage adulterer (3), adulterers (5),
adulteress (3), adulteresses (2), adulteries (1), adulterous (1), adultery (1 ...
/hebrew/5003.htm - 6k

But I Marvel, If, as it is Allowed to Put Away a Wife Who...
... or to be reconciled to her husband; [1950] whereas surely she ought not to depart
and remain unmarried, save from an husband that is an adulterer, lest by ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 7 but i marvel.htm

Men's Errors Vary Very Much in the Magnitude of the Evils they ...
... But the man who calls the adulterer good, thinking him to be chaste, and not knowing
him to be an adulterer, falls into no error in regard to the nature of ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 19 mens errors vary very.htm

Evils of Adultery.
... But I say, that even if these dreadful things do not occur, it is usual for a woman,
through association with an adulterer, either to forsake her husband, or ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xxi evils of adultery.htm

He who Brings to the Intercourse of Marriage a Woman who is ...
... Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon XCVIII. He is an adulterer who takes one espoused
to some one else. Aristenus's commentary on this canon is Saphes. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xcviii he who brings.htm

There is this Further, that in that Very Debt which Married ...
... Thus a woman, if, having broken her marriage faith, she keep faith with her adulterer,
is certainly evil: but, if not even with her adulterer, worse. ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 4 there is this.htm

The Third Epistle of the Same to the Same.
... communicate. Canon LVIII. The adulterer shall be four years a mourner, five
a hearer, four a prostrator, two a co-stander. Canon LIX. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the third epistle of the.htm

Of the Prohibition of Adultery in the Decalogue.
... If the sins are deficient in speech, hard by (the door of the church) stands an
idolater, hard by stands a murderer; in their midst stands, too, an adulterer. ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter v of the prohibition of.htm

A virgin at Antioch, Having Refused to Sacrifice to Idols...
... [3234] And Judith adorned herself that she might please an adulterer, but because
she did ... I came in like an adulterer, to go forth, if you will, as a martyr. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iv a virgin at.htm

Letter Lv. To Amandus.
... short paper containing the following words: "ask him, (that is me,) whether a woman
who has left her husband on the ground that he is an adulterer and sodomite ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lv to amandus.htm

As to the Forgiveness of Sins, it Ought to be Enough Simple to ...
... words. And they say, "Can he who has committed murder be no murderer, and
he who has committed adultery be accounted no adulterer? ...
/.../40 as to the forgiveness.htm

Adulterer (6 Occurrences)
...Adulterer (6 Occurrences). ... Job 24:15 The eye also of the adulterer waits for the
twilight, saying,'No eye shall see me.' He disguises his face. ...
/a/adulterer.htm - 8k

Adulterers (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah 57:3 But draw near hither, ye
sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the harlot. (See NIV). ...
/a/adulterers.htm - 9k

Twilight (25 Occurrences)
... up in the twilight to go" (2 Kings 7:5). The word is evidenly used in the sense
of darkness in "the stars of twilight" (Job 3:9) and "The adulterer waiteth for ...
/t/twilight.htm - 15k

Adultery (49 Occurrences)
... Conjugal infidelity. An adulterer was a man who had illicit intercourse with a married
or a betrothed woman, and such a woman was an adulteress. ...
/a/adultery.htm - 32k

Neighbour's (30 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 20:10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even
he that committeth adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the ...
/n/neighbour's.htm - 15k

Neighbor's (31 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 20:10 "'The man who commits adultery with another man's wife, even he
who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress ...
/n/neighbor's.htm - 16k

Offender (6 Occurrences)
... James 2:11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not commit
murder," and if you are a murderer, although not an adulterer, you have become ...
/o/offender.htm - 8k

Waits (21 Occurrences)
... Job 24:15 The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight,
saying,'No eye shall see me.' He disguises his face. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/w/waits.htm - 11k

Waiteth (15 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Job 24:15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying,
No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/w/waiteth.htm - 10k

Watches (23 Occurrences)
... BBE). Job 24:15 The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight,
saying,'No eye shall see me.' He disguises his face. (See NIV). ...
/w/watches.htm - 14k

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