Adultery redefined and meaning expanded in the New Testament
In part one and part two of our discussion we focused on the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, Adultery was viewed in terms of sex with a married woman (someone’s wife). In this case, both the man and the wife were executed for the offence committed. The New Testament maintains the Old Testament view of adultery, but expands it to address more areas of sexual misconduct.
In fact, the New Testament confronts the state of a man’s heart rather just dealing with the acts.
According to the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, adultery is redefined as follows:
1. When any man (married or unmarried) has sex with a woman married to another man (another man’s wife). This definition is restated in the New Testament.
“You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” (Mark 10:19 NIV)
2. When a married woman walks out of her marriage to go and have sex with any other man who is not her husband. Jesus permitted men to divorce wives who were adulterous.
“But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery.” (Matthew 5:32 NIV)
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9 NIV)
3. When a married man has sex with any other woman other than his wife.
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (Hebrews 13:4 NIV)
4. When a man divorces his wife and marries another woman.
I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9 NIV)
“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery…” (Luke 16:18 NIV)
5. When a man marries a woman who is divorced.
“and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (Luke 16:18b)
6. When a man has sex with a prostitute.
“And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:16-20 NLT)
The New Testament clearly forbids prostitution and warns against sex with prostitutes (more details in part four).
7. When a man looks at ANY WOMAN (single or married) lustfully. This may also apply to women who may fancy a man in their hearts. When you fancy a man or a woman with a desire to have sex with them in your heart, you have already committed adultery with that person in your heart.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28 NIV)
In the New Testament, God makes his grace available in Christ Jesus through the cross for all sinners to find mercy and grace.
The Grace of God is sufficient enough not only to forgive sin but to also liberate us from the bondage of sin. There is no sexual sin that is too big for God’s Grace to deal with. We all find mercy, grace and victory over sin in Christ Jesus our Lord.
By JPC Ntuntu
