You
shall not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:14
Exodus 20 [12.] “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.
Exodus 20 [13.] “You shall not murder.
Exodus 20 [14.] “You shall not commit adultery.
Exodus 20 [15.] “You shall not steal.
Exodus 20 [16.] “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
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.”
Meaning:
- Divine Commandment:
This commandment, along with the others in the Decalogue, forms the foundation of moral and ethical behavior for believers. It reflects God's design for human relationships, emphasizing fidelity and commitment within the covenant of marriage.
- Sanctity of Marriage:
Adultery is a violation of the sacred bond between spouses and undermines the trust and intimacy essential for a healthy marriage. By prohibiting adultery, God upholds the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong commitment between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-6).
- Protection of Individuals:
Adultery not only harms the marital relationship but also inflicts emotional and spiritual damage on individuals involved. It undermines self-worth, causes emotional trauma, and erodes trust, leading to brokenness and pain (Proverbs 6:32-35).
- Reflection of God's Faithfulness:
The prohibition against adultery reflects God's faithfulness to His people and His expectation of faithfulness in return. Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as a faithful spouse to His covenant people, and He calls His people to demonstrate similar fidelity in their relationships (Hosea 2:19-20; Ephesians 5:25-27).
- Jesus' Teaching:
Jesus reaffirmed the sanctity of marriage and the prohibition of adultery in His teachings. He emphasized the importance of purity of heart and condemned not only the act of adultery but also lustful desires that lead to it (Matthew 5:27-28).
Cross References:
Matthew 5:27-28: "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28) Jesus expands the scope of adultery to include not only the physical act but also the intentions of the heart, highlighting the importance of internal purity.
Hebrews 13:4: "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." (Hebrews 13:4) This verse underscores the value of marriage and warns against sexual immorality, including adultery, emphasizing God's judgment on such behavior.
In summary, Exodus 20:14 underscores the sanctity of marriage and the importance of fidelity and commitment within the marital relationship. It reflects God's desire for His people to honor and uphold the covenant of marriage, and it serves as a reminder of the spiritual, emotional, and relational consequences of adultery.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible