Meaning of Exodus 20:14

The commandment "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14) is the seventh of the Ten Commandments, a foundational ethical and legal code given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. This prohibition extends beyond the physical act of sexual intercourse with someone other than one's spouse to encompass lustful thoughts and intentions, as elucidated by Jesus in the New Testament. The commandment underscores the sanctity of marriage as established by God, a union intended for procreation, companionship, and mutual faithfulness, reflecting the covenantal relationship between God and His people. Its violation is not merely a social transgression but a profound betrayal of trust and a disruption of the divinely ordained order for human relationships, carrying significant spiritual and communal repercussions.

Context and Background

This commandment is part of the Decalogue, delivered by God to Moses on Mount Sinai as a covenantal agreement with the nation of Israel. These laws provided the moral and legal framework for their society, distinguishing them from surrounding pagan cultures. Adultery was a serious offense in ancient Near Eastern societies, often carrying severe penalties, but the Mosaic Law's emphasis on it within the Ten Commandments elevates it to a matter of direct divine prohibition, highlighting its importance in maintaining the purity and integrity of the community and its relationship with God.

Key Themes and Messages

The core message of this commandment is the preservation of marital fidelity and the sanctity of the marriage covenant. It emphasizes sexual purity and the responsible stewardship of one's desires and actions within the bounds of God's design for human sexuality. Furthermore, it speaks to the importance of trust and loyalty within the foundational relationship of marriage, which in turn impacts the stability of the family and the community.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, adultery is seen as a betrayal of a covenant, mirroring the unfaithfulness of Israel to God. The commandment calls believers to cultivate inner purity, guarding not only their actions but also their thoughts and desires. This involves actively pursuing holiness, self-control, and honoring the commitments made in marriage. For those not married, it calls for sexual purity and the avoidance of actions or thoughts that would violate this principle if they were married.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Adultery is a recurring theme and a serious sin throughout the Old Testament, often used metaphorically to describe Israel's idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness to God (e.g., Jeremiah 3:8-9). In the New Testament, Jesus expands the prohibition to include lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:27-28), and the Apostle Paul consistently warns against sexual immorality, including adultery, as incompatible with Christian life (e.g., 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Hebrews 13:4). The New Testament also presents the church as the bride of Christ, emphasizing the importance of fidelity to God.

Analogies

• A Broken Covenant: Just as a broken treaty between nations undermines trust and stability, adultery breaks the sacred covenant of marriage, damaging the foundation of the relationship.
• A Defiled Temple: The human body is considered a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Adultery defiles this temple, disrespecting the indwelling presence of God.
• A Corrupted Source: Marriage is a foundational institution. Adultery is like introducing a contaminant into a pure water source, poisoning its downstream effects on family and society.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." This verse establishes the divine institution of marriage as a lifelong, exclusive union.
• Matthew 5:27-28: Jesus declares, "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This passage highlights the internal dimension of the commandment.
• 1 Corinthians 6:18: "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body." This verse emphasizes the unique and destructive nature of sexual sin.
• Hebrews 13:4: "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." This verse reiterates the sanctity of marriage and the divine judgment on its violation.