What is adultery?

Adultery is the act of engaging in sexual relations with someone who is not your spouse while being married. The Bible explicitly condemns adultery as a violation of the marriage covenant, which God holds in high regard. Exodus 20:14 NKJV states one of the Ten Commandments, "You shall not commit adultery."

Jesus expands on the concept of adultery in Matthew 5:27-28 NKJV, teaching that even lustful thoughts can be considered adultery in the heart: "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Adultery is considered a grave sin because it not only betrays the trust between spouses but also defiles the sacredness of the marriage bond, which is a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:31-32 NKJV).