THE BIBLE'S VIEWPOINT/ADULTERY/ADULTERY

What is adultery?

WHAT PEOPLE SAY. Some cultures do not view extramarital  sex, especially on the par of husbands, as wrong. And some do not consider marriage to be a permanent union.

What the Bible says. In the Bible, adultery generally refers to voluntary sexual  relations by a married person-either a man or a woman-with someone other than his or her mate.  (Job 24:15; Proverbs 30:20) Adultery is a detestable thing in God's eyes. In ancient Israel the penalty for it was death. (Leviticus 18:20, 22, 29) Jesus taught that his followers must refrain from adultery. -Matthew 5:27, 28; Luke 18:18-20. 

WHY IT MATTERS.  Adulterers break the solemn vow that they made to their spouse at the time of their marriage. It is also a "sin against God." (Genesis 39:7-9) Adultery can cruelly separate children from parents. What is more, the Bible warns that "God will judge .  . .adulterers." -Hebrews 13:4. 

Does adultery terminate the marital union?

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS. The Bible allows for a married person to terminate his or her  marital union on the grounds of a mate's sexual immorality.  (Matthew 19:9) This means that after an act of infidelity, the innocent mate has the right to decide whether to remain with the unfaithful mate or to pursue a divorce. This is a personal decision. -Galatians 6:5. 

On the other hand, in God's eyes marriage is a sacred lifelong bond.   (1 Corinthians 7:39)  God hates it when a person seeks a divorce that is based on trivial reasons, such as simply not being satisfied  with a mate. Therefore, a decision regarding a divorce is not to be taken lightly. -Malachi 2:16; Matthew 19:3-6.

"I say to you, that everyone divorcing his wife, except on account of sexual immorality, makes for a subject of adultery." -Matthew 5:32.

Next time: THE BIBLE'S VIEW/ADULTERY - Is adultery an unforgivable sin? 

From the AWAKE! magazine, 2015