In biblical terms, an adulterer is someone who engages in sexual relations with a person who is not their spouse, thereby violating the sanctity of marriage. Adultery is consistently condemned throughout Scripture as a grave sin that disrupts the covenantal relationship between husband and wife, and it is often used metaphorically to describe unfaithfulness to God.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament law explicitly prohibits adultery. In the Ten Commandments, God commands, "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). This commandment underscores the importance of marital fidelity and the sanctity of the marriage covenant. The consequences for committing adultery were severe under Mosaic Law. Leviticus 20:10 states, "If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death" . This severe penalty highlights the seriousness with which God views the sin of adultery.

The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also warns against the dangers of adultery. Proverbs 6:32 states, "But he who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself" . The book of Proverbs frequently contrasts the path of wisdom with the folly of succumbing to adulterous temptations, emphasizing the destructive consequences of such actions.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reaffirms the prohibition against adultery and expands upon its implications. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches, "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 5:28). This teaching emphasizes that adultery is not merely a physical act but also a matter of the heart and mind, highlighting the need for purity in thought as well as deed.

The apostle Paul also addresses the issue of adultery in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul lists adulterers among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, underscoring the seriousness of this sin. He writes, "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God" .

Metaphorical Use

Adultery is also used metaphorically in the Bible to describe spiritual unfaithfulness. The prophets often depict Israel's idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness as adultery against God. For example, in Jeremiah 3:8-9, God speaks of Israel's spiritual adultery: "Because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet her treacherous sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well" . This metaphorical use underscores the gravity of turning away from God to pursue other allegiances.

Forgiveness and Restoration

Despite the severity of adultery, the Bible also offers hope for forgiveness and restoration. In John 8:3-11, Jesus encounters a woman caught in adultery. When the Pharisees seek to stone her, Jesus responds, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). After her accusers leave, Jesus tells the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more" (John 8:11). This account illustrates the possibility of redemption and the call to repentance and transformation.

The biblical portrayal of the adulterer serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of faithfulness in both human and divine relationships. Through the lens of Scripture, adultery is not only a violation of marital vows but also a symbol of spiritual infidelity, calling believers to a life of integrity and devotion.