Bible Verses About Cheating Husbands

In this piece of writing, you’ll learn about the different Bible Verses About Cheating Husbands. Cheating by a spouse is referred to as adultery. But what does the Bible actually say about cheating or adultery? This is the question we’ll be answering throughout this piece of write-up. The word adultery is etymologically related to the word adulterate, which means “to render something poorer in quality by adding another substance.” Hence, we can say without doubt that adultery is the adulteration of marriage by the addition of a third person. In simple terms we can as well say that adultery is the voluntary sexual activity between a married person and someone other than his/her spouse. The Bible clearly begins its teachings on marriage with the pattern of Adam and Eve: one man and one woman, husband and wife, both united by God Almighty (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:7–9).

Adultery is strictly forbidden by the seventh commandment which reads, “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Since this prohibition was simply stated without any explanation, we can conclude that the meaning of adultery was well understood in the time that Moses gave the Law. It is important to understand here that Scripture is consistent in the prohibition against adultery. Despite the clarity of the original pattern of marriage and the strict prohibition against adultery, sinful humanity has managed to develop ways aimed at blurring the lines of morality. Here, we can say that polygamy is one of the ways through which the prohibition against adultery has been to some extent circumvented. Although polygamy is not technically considered as adultery, it does adulterate God’s original plan for marriage. Although God allowed polygamy in the Old Testament, He did not endorse it.

Bible Verses About Cheating Husbands

Marriage is a sacred covenant between a couple. Just as previously mentioned, adultery was allowed in the Old Testament by God but He did not endorse it. Polygamy was not considered as adultery because, although a third party (or perhaps fourth, fifth, sixth, etc) was added into the marriage, the additional woman or women were included legally. Note that a polygamist who indulged in sexual activities with anyone other than his legal wives was committing adultery. And since polygamy is generally illegal in most modern countries today, no third person can be legally added to a marriage. Another way that the prohibition against adultery has been circumvented is through Divorce and Remarriage. Any married man or woman having an affair is committing adultery. It is rather unfortunate that if he/she divorces his/her spouse and marries the other, he/she still maintains his/her “legal” footing.

However, Jesus Christ puts both of these “strategies” to rest as we can read from Luke 16:18 – “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery.” Likewise Mark 10:11–12 says, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.” According to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, divorce does not circumvent the prohibition against adultery. If upon seeing another woman, a married man desires her sexually, divorces his wife, and marries her, he is still committing adultery. The marriage bond is one that is expected to last for a lifetime. This is to say that divorce does not release one from the responsibility of remaining faithful to the original spouse. (Relatedly, the Bible allows divorce in some cases, and, when divorce is allowed, remarriage is also allowed without being considered adulterous.)

What The Scriptures Say About Cheating Husbands

In the Scriptures, Jesus Christ carried the prohibition against adultery even further than the Mosaic Law: “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). Therefore, even if a man does his best to “legally” avoid adultery by requesting for a divorce, he is already guilty because of the lust in his heart that drove him into taking such measures. Likewise, if a man “legally” brings another woman into the marriage, rendering it a polygamous marriage, he is still guilty of adultery because of the lust in his heart that motivated him to go for another wife.

Still in the light of the words spoken by Christ, if a man or woman indulges into lustful thoughts (pornography is especially problematic), then he/she is guilty of adultery even-though there was no extramarital physical contact that took place. This clear explanation by Jesus Christ avoids all of the worries about “how far is too far” with someone other than a spouse. Also, it avoids the need to define what “sex” really is. Lust, not sex, is the threshold of adultery.

Facts on what the Scriptures say about cheating spouses

Proverbs 6 gives us some stern warnings about committing adultery, giving “correction and instruction . . . keeping you from your neighbor’s wife” (verses 23–24). Solomon says,
“Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes. . . .
Another man’s wife preys on your very life.
Can a man scoop fire into his lap
without his clothes being burned?
Can a man walk on hot coals
without his feet being scorched?
So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife;
no one who touches her will go unpunished” (verses 25–29).

According to the Scriptures, adultery is deadly serious and does brings consequences. “A man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself” (Proverbs 6:32; cf. 1 Corinthians 6:18 and Hebrews 13:4). Living in adultery is giving evidence that you do not truly know Christ. However, adultery is not unforgivable, either. Every sin that a Christian commits can be forgiven through repentance. And any sin committed by an unbeliever can be forgiven in Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 says, “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers . . . will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Biblical definition of Adultery? What does adultery mean?

Old Testament Definition

Adultery was defined and understood in the Old Testament as sexual relations between a married (or betrothed) woman and a man other than her husband. Thus, it was considered a sin against her husband.

New Testament Definition

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior did extend the definition of adultery to include a married man and a woman other than his wife (Mark 10:11-12, Luke 16:18). It is in this way that other New Testament teachings perceive it (1 Corinthians 6:15-16, 1 Corinthians 7:2 ).
Hence, we can conclusively define adultery as the sin of a married man having sexual relations with anyone other than his wife or a married woman having sexual relations with anyone other than her husband.

2. If a spouse is unable to have sex, is it okay to have sex with someone else? Are there exceptions?

A good number of people wonder whether there are exceptions in cases that the spouse cannot or will not have sex, or if the couple is separated, or better still, for other reasons. However, the Bible does not give any exception for a spouse to have sex with anyone apart from his/her partner.

3. What Did Jesus say about adultery?

Jesus Christ says in Matthew 5:27-28 – “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.“

In the same light, Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 7:2-5 – “But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

The truth is that “office romance” as well as other extramarital affairs usually cause tremendous emotional pain to the spouse whether sexual intercourse is involved or not. In addition to this, it is without doubt that sexual attraction clouds judgement and often leads to actual sexual relations, even when that was not the original intent.

4. What does the Bible say about adultery?

Adultery is one of the most frowned against sins in the Bible. In fact, it is one of the most frequent and highly condemned sin in the Bible. Adultery is mentioned 52 times in the Bible, including in the 10 Commandments, all 4 Gospels and other Biblical books. The only sins mentioned more often than this are the sins of idolatry, murder, and self-righteousness.
Exodus 20:14 says, “You shall not commit adultery.“
Matthew 15:19–20 says, “For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”
Luke 18:18-20 says, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.’“

Hebrews 13:4 says, “Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.”

5. What does the Bible teach about divorcing a spouse for adultery?

The Bible mentions adultery as ground for divorce (Matthew 5:31-32, 19:9) but does not require it. In most cases, both the husband and wife can be reconciled and the marriage saved even after adultery.

6. Is it a sin to continue living with a spouse that has committed adultery?

Note that it is not a sin to continue living and having sex with a spouse that committed adultery. (However, the risk of sexually transmitted diseases should be considered and precautions taken). This should not be an issue if both partners have been reconciled to each other and forgiveness has taken place.

7. Will God forgive me for committing adultery?

As it is with other sins, God will forgive the sin of adultery if a person sincerely repents and also forgives other people. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 makes us to understand that in the Corinthian church there were former adulterers, but they had been washed clean from their sin, sanctified, and justified through Christ.

8. What are the lasting damages of adultery?

Although God will forgive adultery, the damages it causes often cannot be undone. Truth be told, it is extremely hurtful to the spouse. In most cases, it leads to divorce thereby living the separated partners with lots of bitterness in their hearts. Children from divorced families are prone to anxiety, low school performance, drug addiction, and delinquent behavior. Such issues are likely to extend till their adulthood. That’s why spouses should always do their best to save their homes from crumbling.

9. What should be the response of a Christian whose spouse has had an affair?

It is without doubt that infidelity creates a very difficult and painful situation, one that brings to the scene all emotions, and, for the Christian, can stretch faith to almost a breaking point. When faced with such, the best thing to do is to “turn all your worries over to Him. He cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7). As Christians, we should always turn to the Lord God Almighty any time that we are hurt in order to seek for wisdom, direction, comfort, joy, peace, and a forgiving heart. Behold, God is able and willing to help us even in the deepest of trials. Keep in mind that adultery is always wrong. In support of this, Hebrews 13:4 says, “God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” Here, the injured spouse should rest in the truth that God is the avenger.

Also, the wronged individual does not need to fret over getting even. God will do even a better job of avenging us. Each time that we are betrayed, we need to commit the pains to the One who knows every detail and will deal with it properly. In the face of betrayal or unfaithfulness, we need to pray as we seek God for wisdom, for healing, and guidance. As you pray for yourself, also pray for the offender, and also pray for anyone else involved in the act. Humbly pray for God in His goodness, wisdom, and love to guide your thoughts, words, actions, and decisions. Be honest with your feelings. It is normal to feel hurt. Let the expression of your pains to the Lord be the first step towards healing (see Psalm 77:1–2). Choose forgiveness and not repaying evil for evil (1 Peter 3:9).

10. How should a Christian spouse handle an adulterous affair that has resulted in a child birth?

Marriage is a special covenant that brings a couple together both physically and spiritually. Infidelity in marriage or adultery causes a devastating blow that tears through the oneness of marriage. Infidelity is an act that often results in irreparable damages in marriage. Such is especially true if a child is conceived through adultery. However, a parent’s responsibility for his child is not determined by the circumstance of the child’s conception and birth. The act of bringing a child into the world through adultery is definitely disastrous to both parties, but it is important to remember that the child is innocent and deserves to have two parents in his/her life. Note that even a child conceived through adultery also has the right to be loved, protected, catered for, and provided for.

11. What is the Biblical punishment for adultery?

Before answering this question, it is important to clarify the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Under the Old Covenant Law, given to ancient Israel under theocracy, the punishment of adultery was death (Leviticus 20:10). But in the New Testament, Jesus Christ brought a new law into effect. However, the eternal punishment of sin is still death (Romans 6:23), but adultery no longer carries the death penalty civilly. Modern Christians or followers of Jesus Christ are not commanded to harm those who sin. The Old Testament list a good number of behaviors that were punishable by death, including adultery. In support of this, Leviticus 20:10 reads, “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.” The punishment was same for both parties that were found guilty.

Today, the Bible does not command any such punishment for adultery. However, the act of adultery carries it