You shall not commit adultery.This commandment is part of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. It underscores the sanctity of marriage and the importance of faithfulness within the marital covenant. In the ancient Near Eastern context, marriage was a foundational institution for society, and adultery was seen as a serious breach of trust and community stability.
You
The directive is personal and individual, emphasizing that each person is responsible for their own actions. This personal accountability is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, where individuals are called to live righteously and uphold God's laws.
shall not
This phrase indicates a clear prohibition, leaving no room for ambiguity. The commandments are not suggestions but divine mandates that reflect God's holy and unchanging nature. The use of "shall not" is consistent with other commandments, highlighting the seriousness of the offense.
commit
The term "commit" implies an intentional act. Adultery is not merely a passive occurrence but a deliberate choice to violate the marriage covenant. This highlights the importance of intentionality in maintaining moral and ethical standards.
adultery
Adultery is defined as a sexual relationship between a married person and someone who is not their spouse. In biblical times, this was considered a grave sin with severe consequences, often punishable by death (Leviticus 20:10). The prohibition against adultery is reiterated in the New Testament, where Jesus expands the understanding of adultery to include even lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:27-28). This commandment points to the faithfulness of God, who is often depicted as a husband to His people, and unfaithfulness to Him is likened to spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 3:8-9). The call to purity and fidelity in marriage reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church, where Christ is the bridegroom and the Church is His bride (Ephesians 5:25-32).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.
2.
Mount SinaiThe mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, including the commandment against adultery.
3.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and given the Law to guide their covenant relationship with God.
Teaching Points
Understanding AdulteryIn the original Hebrew, the word for adultery is "na'aph," which specifically refers to a married person engaging in sexual relations outside of their marriage. This commandment underscores the sanctity of the marriage covenant.
Heart and MindJesus' teaching in the New Testament reveals that adultery is not just a physical act but also a matter of the heart and mind. Guarding our thoughts is crucial in maintaining purity.
Sanctity of MarriageMarriage is a sacred covenant designed by God. Upholding this commandment protects the integrity and trust within the marital relationship.
Holiness and PurityAs believers, we are called to live lives of holiness and purity. This commandment encourages us to reflect God's character in our relationships.
Community ImpactAdultery not only affects the individuals involved but also has broader implications for families and communities. Upholding this commandment fosters a healthy and stable society.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 20:14?
2.How does "You shall not commit adultery" apply to modern Christian marriages today?
3.What are the spiritual consequences of violating Exodus 20:14 in a believer's life?
4.How does Jesus expand on Exodus 20:14 in Matthew 5:27-28?
5.How can Christians guard their hearts against the temptation of adultery?
6.What role does accountability play in maintaining purity according to Exodus 20:14?
7.How does Exodus 20:14 define adultery in a biblical context?
8.Why is adultery prohibited in the Ten Commandments?
9.How does Exodus 20:14 relate to the concept of marital fidelity?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20?
11.Should a spouse admit to committing adultery?
12.What are the Bible's teachings on adultery?
13.What is the Bible's stance on promiscuity?
14.Is adultery a sin according to the Bible?What Does Exodus 20:14 Mean
You- God’s command begins with “you,” placing responsibility squarely on each individual. No one is exempt; every heart is addressed (Deuteronomy 5:3;Joshua 24:15).
- By speaking directly, the Lord calls His covenant people into personal accountability, just as He did when He said, “I am the LORD your God” earlier in the chapter (Exodus 20:2).
- The same personal tone carries into the New Testament where moral commands again target the individual: “Love the Lord your God…love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40).
shall not- This phrase is an unambiguous prohibition—God draws a clear moral boundary.
• It is final; no loopholes exist (James 2:10-11 links this mandate with the entire Law).
• It is protective; like a guardrail, it keeps us from spiritual and relational disaster (Psalm 19:7-11).
• It is perpetual; the New Testament repeats it unchanged: “You shall not commit adultery” (Romans 13:9).
- God’s authority undergirds the word “shall.” He alone defines what is good, and His commands flow from His holy character (Leviticus 19:2;1 Peter 1:15-16).
commit adultery- Adultery is sexual intimacy with someone other than one’s spouse, violating the lifelong “one flesh” covenant (Genesis 2:24;Malachi 2:14-16).
- Jesus deepens the application by pointing to the heart’s intentions: “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 5:27-28).
- Scripture warns of the destructive fallout:
• Spiritual—“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? …neither adulterers” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
• Relational—adultery “destroys himself” (Proverbs 6:32) and betrays family trust.
• Societal—marriage is foundational;Hebrews 13:4 urges, “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled.”
- Positive side: the command protects the beauty of covenant love, mirroring Christ’s faithful love for His church (Ephesians 5:25-32).
summaryExodus 20:14 is God’s personal, authoritative safeguard for the purity of marriage and the health of society. By addressing “you,” He calls each believer to honor marital vows; by saying “shall not,” He sets an unwavering boundary; by forbidding adultery, He protects covenant faithfulness and points to His own unfailing love.
(14)
Thou shalt not commit adultery.--Next to the duty of respecting a man's life is placed that of respecting his domestic peace and honour. Adultery is an invasion of the household, a destruction of the bond which unites the family, a dissolution of that contract which is the main basis of social order. It was forbidden by all civilised communities, and in uncivilised ones frequently punished with death. The Mosaic enactments on the subject are peculiar chiefly in the absolute equality on which they place the man and the woman. Adulterers are as hateful as adulteresses, and are as surely to be put to death (
Leviticus 20:10;
Deuteronomy 22:22-24, &c.). The man who acts treacherously against "the wife of his covenant" is as great a sinner as the woman who breaks the marriage bond (
Malachi 2:14-16). There is "no respect of persons" and no respect of sexes with God.
Verse 14. -
Thou shalt not commit adultery. Our second duty towards our neighbour is to respect the bond on which the family is based, and that conjugal honour which to the true man is dearer than life. Marriage, according to the original institution, made the husband and wife "one flesh" (
Genesis 2:24); and to break in upon this sacramental union was at once a crime and a profanity. Adulteresses and their paramours were in most ancient nations liable to be punished with death by the injured party; but the adultery of a married man with an unmarried woman was thought lightly cf. The precept of the Decalogue binds both man and woman equally. Our Lord's expansion of this commandment (
Matthew 5:27-32) is parallel to his expansion of the preceding one (
ib, 21-26). He shows that there are adulterous marriages in countries where the law gives a facility of divorce, and that without any overt act adultery may be committed
in the heart.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
You shall notלֹ֣֖א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nocommit adultery.תִּֿנְאָֽ֑ף׃(tnə·’āp̄)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5003:To commit adultery, to apostatize
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OT Law: Exodus 20:14 You shall not commit adultery (Exo. Ex) 
