You Shall Not Commit Adultery (Part 1)

Introduction

English Standard Version Chapter 20

14 “You shall not commit adultery.

English Standard Version Chapter 2

18 Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 19 Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,

“This at last is bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.”

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

This week will be our first look at the 7th commandment, “You shall not murder.” And like the commandments before it we’re going to break it into two parts. This week we’ll begin by considering the nature of the 7th commandment and it’s scope, then in the following week we’ll look more closely at its positive and negative applications.

As we’ve seen, time and again, the scope of these commandments is usually much greater than most of us realize. The heart of each commandment going much deeper, and, in turn, their reach, that much greater. The commandments are not arbitrary or pulled out of thin air, but are rooted in God’s character and are woven into the very fabric of creation and the created order.

Marriage

Therefore, in order to grasp the depth and the breadth of the 7th commandment we have to begin by looking at Genesis chapter 2, we have to begin by looking at marriage. Before we consider the prohibition of adultery, we much first consider marriage, because marriage is the overarching rule and biblical ethic for sexual behavior, and for ordering these relationships in society. If we’re going to see the implications of the 7th commandment then we first need to see how it relates to the institution of marriage.

So, turn with me to Genesis 2, and let’s read again, together, verses 18-24,

Genesis 2:18–24 ESV

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Now, I want you to consider the major components of this text. First, notice that man was created for marriage, God says there in verse 18, that “it is not good that the man should be alone.” In other words, God’s intention for most of us is to get married, because it is not good for man to be alone, that man wasn’t designed to be alone. Therefore, God says in verse 18, “I will make him a helper fit for him.”

Second, notice that God intends to make Adam a helper who is fit for him. Notice God’s use of the word fit there. The idea here is that not just any helper will do, but that Adam needs a helper who is suitable for him, someone who is made in his likeness yet complements him, like two puzzle pieces that fit together. This is why we’re told in verses 19-20 that when all of the animals were brought to Adam to name them, that “there was not found a helper fit for him.” You see, the tasks given to Adam would require a certain kind of helpmate. We read in Genesis 1:28 that God commanded Adam, to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and [to] have dominion over [it].” Adam needed a helper suitable for accomplishing those ends. Adam could not have children or procreate on his own, he needed a suitable helpmate, Adam could not take dominion alone, he needed a suitable helpmate to multiply his efforts. And it was obvious that none of the animals were suitable for this role.

Therefore, we read in Genesis 2:21-23 that, “the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, ‘This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’” The woman is literally made from Adam for Adam, she’s bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. The man and the woman are uniquely made for one another, to fit together, to complement one another, by both their complementary roles, and complementary biology. This is all necessary, again, that they might accomplish the task of bearing children and taking dominion of the earth.

However, the world attempts to blur these distinctions, going so far as to deny the biological differences between men and women. The world attempts to flatten the distinctions between men and women to suite their sinful passions, under the guise of equality. They conflate equality with sameness, thinking that in order for there to be equality that everyone must be the same, without any distinctions or differences. Whereas Genesis teaches us that men and women are purposefully made to be different, to be complementary in role and complementary in biology, yet both made in the image of God.

Marriage defines the parameters for lawful sexual behavior

And while most of this might seem elementary to those of us who have read this story countless times, or heard this text taught from the pulpit, repeatedly, for years, the institution of marriage, as it’s defined here, has major implications that many of us may have never considered. You see, marriage, as defined here in Genesis 2, is the biblical standard and ethic for sexual behavior. In other words, Genesis 2 sets the parameters for sexual behavior, teaching us that sexual activity is only lawful within the context of biblical marriage.

Therefore, Genesis 2 not only tells us what marriage is, but also what it isn’t. Genesis 2 not only prescribes for us the lawful context for sexual activity, but in doing so, Genesis 2 inevitably teaches us what kinds of sexual and activities are forbidden. In other words, any kind of sexual activity outside the boundaries of marriage in Genesis 2 are a violation of that sexual ethic, a deviation from it or a perversion of it.

For example, Genesis 2 teaches us that marriage is between one man and one woman, that marriage is inherently monogamous, not polygamous, or between more than two parties. The complementary nature of the two who become one flesh demands monogamy and exclusivity between a couple, between one man and one woman. Genesis 2 also teaches us that marriage is between a man and a woman, that marriage is by nature heterosexual, not homosexual. Heterosexuality is absolutely necessary for marriage to function as it’s intended, to bear children, to be fruitful and to multiply. Homosexuality is fundamentally contrary to the design and definition of marriage, because it cannot result in procreation, and is manifestly contrary to nature, therefore it’s forbidden.

The Bible’s definition of marriage mitigates against all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, fornication, bestiality, homosexuality, polygamy, prostitution, and so on. These are all contrary to the Bible’s definition and parameters of marriage, and often contrary to even nature itself. Adam and Eve were a pair that fit together by design for a particular purpose. Therefore, all other man-made inventions are fundamentally rebellious, and created to serve man’s sinful passions, no matter how much the world might try to cloak those inventions with virtue.

“Love” doesn’t define the parameters for lawful sexual behavior

And this is really important for us to understand, because the argument that has most successfully undermined the institution of marriage in our day is one that paints unlawful sexual activity with virtue. You see, if you want to undermine the biblical institution of marriage then all you have to do is convince Christians that other types of sexual relationships or activities can be virtuous. For example, what about two women who claim to “love” each other, or two men who claim to “love” each other? Notice how arguments like these are couched in language that appeals to love. You see, if the world can convince you that certain sexual activities (which are otherwise condemned by Scripture) are done in love, then they can leverage this to make you question whether those sexual activities should be condemned, because how can God oppose behaviors that are grounded in love when God is love? How many of you have felt the pressure of this argument?

Now, when we fall prey to these kinds of arguments, we feel compelled to reinterpret biblical texts that we formerly thought prohibited certain sexual relationships or activities. All of a sudden we’re tempted to create in our minds categories for homosexual relationships that are blessed by God, and we come to assume that whenever the Bible condemns something like homosexuality that it must not be talking about those “loving” homosexual relationships, but something else. Do you see the play that’s being run against you?

However, love, even genuine love, is not the standard used to discern whether certain sexual behaviors are appropriate or not. You might love your children, but that’s obviously not an argument for having a sexual relationship with them. One might claim to love someone who’s not their spouse, but that’s not an argument for having a sexual relationship with them. Instead, marriage, as it’s defined by Scripture, is the standard for discerning what sexual relationships and activities are permissible and which are not. The lawfulness of a sexual relationship is not determined by whether it’s consensual or if the parties claim to love each other. We must come to realize this, otherwise we will be deceived.

God defines marriage

Furthermore, we do not possess the right to define marriage, only God possesses such authority. We do not get to customize our sexual relationships to suite our desires. You see, this is fundamentally an issue of authority. This is why the Supreme Court of the United States does not possess the right or authority to redefine marriage, it’s not up to them, or up to you and me. Neither the people nor the government get to define marriage, instead God sets the parameters, he defines the institution, whereas the government is intended to be a deacon (or servant) of God to uphold it.

Honor marriage

Now, again, why have I labored to define marriage? Why is our understanding of marriage so fundamental to our understanding of the 7th commandment, “you shall not commit adultery?” Because the fundamental objective of the 7th commandment is to honor marriage, the 7th commandment is intended to safeguard the institution of marriage. Just as the 6th commandment, “you shall not murder” is intended to honor and protect life, the 7th commandment is intended to honor and protect marriage.

Breadth of the 7th commandment

Therefore, any unlawful sexual activity is a violation of the 7th commandment. In other words, the 7th commandment is about more than just cheating on your spouse. You see, all forms of sexual immorality inevitably undermine the institution of marriage and are a rebellion against God’s design, and are therefore violations of the 7th commandment.

Now, this is not a novel understanding of the 7th commandment. For example, turn with me to 1 Timothy 1:8-11, and what I want you to notice is, as Paul loosely lists the commandments from the second table of the law, how he describes the 7th commandment.

1 Timothy 1:8–11 ESV

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

When he describes “those who strike their fathers and mothers” what commandment do you think he’s referring to? He’s referring to the 5th commandment, to “honor your father and mother.” When he lists “murderers” what commandment do you think he’s referring to? He’s referring to the 6th commandment, “you shall not murder.” Then when he describes those who are “sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality” what commandment do you think he’s referring to? He’s probably referring to the 7th commandment, “you shall not commit adultery.”

Now, the Greek word translated sexual immorality is the word pornos, related to another Greek word proneia, from which we get the word pornography. One Greek lexicon defines this word as “unlawful sexual intercourse, prostitution, unchastity, fornication.” (Walter Bauer) This is why the word is translated generically in English as simply sexual immorality. Furthermore, the Apostle Paul also uses the Greek word translated homosexuality, arsenokoitais, which appears to be a word coined by Paul to generically describe homosexuality. So, in Paul’s mind all forms of sexual immorality, including homosexuality are forbidden by the 7th commandment.

This also appears to be in the mind of the person who wrote Hebrews, we read in Hebrews 13:4,

Hebrews 13:4 ESV

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

The writer uses the the same Greek word as Paul, translated sexually immoral, purposely indicating that the scope of the 7th commandment is not limited to adultery. In short, the scope of the 7th commandment is much broader than most of us realize.

Depth of the 7th commandment

And it’s not only broader than most of us realize, but it’s also goes much deeper than most of us realize. This is why Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount that “everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” We read in Matthew 5:27-28,

Matthew 5:27–28 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jesus was obviously referring to the 7th commandment when he said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’” but his point was to show how the law was more than an inch deep, that it was intended to cut to heart, that it wasn’t merely intended to restrain bodily actions, but to expose sin at its heart. Some have tried to argue that Jesus was giving his disciples a new law, that was substantively different that the 10 commandments given at Sinai, but instead Jesus was expositing the law, he was explaining it’s meaning to his disciples in a day when the law was being misused.

Sex not a necessary evil

Now, I also want to point out and remind us that sex is not evil or filthy, or something to be avoided within the context of marriage, but that sex is a part of God’s good design. Marriage and sexual intimacy between a husband and a wife is intended to be a gift. However, because the nature of that gift can bring such intense degrees of intimacy, it can also result in intense pain due to the sinfulness of mankind when mishandled. Which is why we must wield it properly and only within the context for which it was designed. We shouldn’t view the 7th commandment as a kill-joy, but as protection for a wonderful gift given to us by God.

Furthermore, throughout church history, at various times, sex has sometimes been viewed as a necessary evil. In the early church, a couple of centuries after Christ, outside influences like Platonism and Manicheism, began to influence the church. Manicheism was a religious movement in the 3rd century which taught that sexual activity, along with other bodily pleasures, were fundamentally evil, and were regarded as distractions from seeking spiritual enlightenment.

These outside influences negatively impacted the early church. Some began to view sexual pleasure as something to be denied in the pursuit of personal piety, therefore abstaining from sexual desire was the expected practice within monasteries, and eventually became a requirement for bishops and priests in the 6th century under Pope Gregory I. The Roman Catholic Church has effectively forbidden marriage in these instances, which is still in effect today.

As a result of influences like these the idea that sex is inherently filthy and should only be employed for procreation has crept into the church and into some people’s thinking, as though sex bordered on sinfulness and therefore should only be employed for procreation. But this a dangerous and sad overreaction, because sex within the context of marriage is intended to be a gift.

Covenant faithfulness

Lastly, I want to make one final point about the 7th commandment before we close today. We need to remember that this commandment is also a commandment concerning covenant faithfulness. That marriage is intended to be a lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, therefore their faithfulness to one another is essential to the covenant, and God take’s their faithfulness to that covenant very seriously.

To give you an example, turn with me to Malachi 2:13-16. Now, I suspect Albert is going to cover this text next week, in greater detail, during his sermon, so I’ll try not to steal his thunder, but I want to point out how seriously God takes the marriage covenant. The context of this passage is Malachi telling Judah that the Lord’s no longer has regard for their offerings. Why? Because they have been faithless to their wives. We read, beginning in verse 13,

Malachi 2:13–16 ESV

And this second thing you do. You cover the Lord’s altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand. But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”

Parable of God’s covenant faithfulness

Now, why would God take our faithfulness to the marriage covenant so seriously? Well, the primary reason is because the marriage covenant is ultimately intended to mirror the covenant faithfulness of God to his people. You see, the marriage covenant was designed to serve an even greater purpose. The marriage covenant was designed to be a parable of God’s faithfulness to his people. Which is why he takes your faithfulness to your marriage vows so seriously, because your marriage is intended to glorify him. Your marriage is intended to be a parable of his faithfulness to you.

Frequently, throughout the OT prophets Israel was referred as the Lord’s bride, and the Lord as her husband. For example, Jeremiah 2:2 says, "Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem, Thus says the Lord, 'I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.'" Or like Isaiah 54:6, “For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the LORD has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God.”

And this marriage analogy was not unique to Israel under the old covenant, but it finds its fulfillment under the new covenant between Christ and his church. If you’ve read any of the Gospels you might have noticed that Jesus’ ministry was filled with events, allusions, and parables about weddings. Why? Because Christ is called our bridegroom, and his ministry of redeeming us from sin and death is analogous to a husband giving up his life for his bride. Listen to how the Apostle Paul explain this in Ephesians 5:22-33,

Ephesians 5:22–33 ESV

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Conclusion

So, as we wrap up, let’s briefly recall the significance of the 7th commandment. For the scope of this commandment is much grater than we often realize, encompassing all forms of sexual immorality, and deeper than we tend to admit, reaching the very intentions of our hearts. It’s not merely a purposeless boundary line, but a call to live in faithfulness and obedience to God’s design in marriage. That marriage defines the parameters for lawful sexual relationships and behavior. And that marriage isn’t just about us, but that it’s meant to be a reflection of God’s faithfulness to us, a living parable of His covenant love for His people. And his faithfulness to us should serve as model for our faithfulness to one another in marriage.

Prayer