The seventh commandment uses the word adultery, which we don’t hear much anymore. Our modern culture has shied away from this word since it sounds too religious or judgmental. Today, people “have affairs,” “cheat,” or “play around.” Many times, the consequences seem minimal.
However, there is more to the seventh commandment than a simple moral injunction. As with all of God’s commands, the rule against adultery builds upon spiritual and godly principles. God also gives commands from his love for us, seeking our best, so the consequences are more dire than we may expect.
We should take the time to explore the seventh commandment and see what it says about God and us today.
What Is the Seventh Commandment in Most Jewish and Protestant Denominations?
The Seventh Commandment is part of the Ten Commandments, which form the foundational ethical and moral principles for Jews and Christians.
In most Jewish and Protestant denominations, the Seventh Commandment is “You shall not commit adultery.” This commandment, found in Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18, prohibits sexual infidelity within marriage. Adultery is regarded as violating the sacred covenant between husband and wife, harming individuals, families, and communities.
However, in Catholic and Anglican traditions, the Seventh Commandment is “You shall not steal.” The discrepancy in the commandments’ numbering stems from differences in how the commandments are counted and grouped in the different traditions.
In Jewish tradition, the Ten Commandments are considered a unified whole, with the first commandment an introduction and the following commandments forming the core ethical principles.
Jewish and Protestant traditions traditionally interpret the commandment against adultery as a directive to uphold the marital relationship’s sanctity and fidelity. Adultery is understood as breaking trust, violating the covenant between spouses, resulting in moral, emotional, and relational harm.
In Jewish tradition, the commandment against adultery is considered essential for maintaining the family unit’s integrity and ensuring societal stability. Similarly, Protestant denominations uphold the Seventh Commandment as a moral imperative that reflects God’s design for marriage and human relationships. Protestant interpretation emphasizes the importance of sexual purity, faithfulness, and commitment within marriage, affirming the value of monogamous relationships.
What Is the Seventh Commandment in Catholic and Anglican Denominations?
In Catholic and Anglican denominations, the Seventh Commandment is traditionally understood as “You shall not steal.” This commandment, rooted in Exodus 20:15 and Deuteronomy 5:19, prohibits wrongfully taking another’s property. It emphasizes principles of honesty, integrity, and respect for others’ rights and possessions.
Catholic and Anglican traditions follow the division of the commandments articulated by early theologians such as Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas. This division separates the commandment against coveting into two distinct commandments: one prohibiting coveting one's neighbor’s wife and the other prohibiting coveting one’s neighbor’s goods. As a result, the commandment against theft is counted as the Seventh Commandment in Catholic and Anglican traditions.
Regarding adultery, Catholics and Anglicans also interpret the commandment against adultery as a directive to uphold the marital relationship’s sanctity. All Christian traditions emphasize the importance of sexual purity, faithfulness, and commitment within marriage, promoting harmony, trust, and mutual respect between spouses.
In Catholicism, the interpretation of the Seventh Commandment intersects with the church’s teachings on marriage and divorce. The Catholic Church holds marriage as a sacred covenant established by God, intended to be indissoluble and lifelong. According to Catholic doctrine, divorce is not recognized as valid, and remarriage after divorce without obtaining an annulment from the church is considered adultery if the first marriage is deemed valid. An annulment is a declaration by the church that a marriage was invalid from the beginning, either due to a lack of proper consent, understanding, or other factors that prevent forming a true sacramental union.
Therefore, Catholics are called to honor the sanctity of marriage and remain faithful to their marital vows, even in marital difficulties or hardships. The church offers pastoral care and support for couples facing marriage challenges, encouraging reconciliation and forgiveness whenever possible. Catholics are also encouraged to seek guidance from their parish priests or pastoral counselors to address marital issues and strengthen their relationships.
Anglicanism allows for divorce under certain circumstances, such as adultery, abandonment, or abuse, and remarriage is approached with pastoral sensitivity and discernment, recognizing each situation’s complexity and the need for pastoral care and support.
What Makes the Seventh Commandment So Important?
“You shall not commit adultery” holds profound significance in religious and ethical contexts, encompassing themes of faithfulness in marriage, the family’s sanctity, and the spiritual symbolism of marriage about Christ and the church.
While infidelity may be more acceptable today, its consequences are still brutal. It has emotional and relational consequences. Betrayal leads to trauma, as a trusted spouse, one who’s been incredibly intimate in every way, breaks a covenant. This grief can cause immediate and long-term issues with ideas of love and relationships. Not only are spouses hurt. Children, other family members, and friends feel the shock and pain.
Adultery can have devastating consequences for families, leading to broken trust, emotional trauma, and the dissolution of marriages. Children from these homes generally suffer more problems in school and their future relationships. Healthy, two-parent households lay a foundation for more success in life for both the parents and kids. The Seventh Commandment seeks to protect the integrity and well-being of families by discouraging behaviors that undermine marital harmony and stability.
Any successful society builds upon healthy families, and family breakdown destabilizes a culture. Strong marriages are at the heart of families, so the Seventh Commandment promotes a culture of faithfulness, keeping promises, and a sense of community and shared responsibility.
The stakes aren’t only practical and emotional but also spiritual. In Scripture, marriage is often regarded as reflecting the relationship between Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:25-33 compares a husband’s love for his wife to Christ’s sacrificial love for the church, highlighting marriage’s profound spiritual significance. Adultery, therefore, not only violates the trust and fidelity between spouses. It also distorts marriage’s sacred symbolism, how it reflects Christ’s love for His people.
While adultery represents a violation of the Seventh Commandment, the principles of forgiveness, reconciliation, and redemption are also integral to the Christian faith. The Old Testament expresses how Israel seeking after idols was a type of adultery or even divorce. Yet God, through prophets, always offered ways to repent and be restored to redemptive relationship. Every person deserved punishment and wrath, and God offered his Son as a way for anyone who would believe to return to a saving relationship with the Father.
For believers in Christ, adultery doesn’t have to be the end of a marriage or even the end of the story. Through repentance and reconciliation, individuals who have violated the commandment can seek forgiveness and restoration, experiencing healing and renewal. The Seventh Commandment, therefore, not only sets a standard for moral behavior but also offers the promise of redemption and restoration for those who have faltered. Stories of reconciled marriages after betrayal reveal the Gospel, too.
What Can Help Us Follow the Seventh Commandment Today?
Following the Seventh Commandment, “You shall not commit adultery,” in today’s world presents unique challenges for Christians. However, several key principles and practices can help Christians remain faithful to their spouses and spiritually committed to God.
- Cultivating a Strong Relationship with God. If we commit adultery, we’ve first strayed in our relationship with the Father. Jesus taught how adultery begins in the heart, so the inner posture sets the path for our lives (Matthew 5:27). Strengthening our relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and regular participation in worship and fellowship can provide the spiritual foundation needed to resist temptation and remain faithful to one’s spouse. By prioritizing spiritual growth and seeking intimacy with God, Christians can find strength, wisdom, and guidance to uphold the Seventh Commandment in their daily lives.
- Commitment to Marital Fidelity. By finding strength in Christ and not ourselves, we can live our commitment and prioritize fidelity and loyalty within our marriages. This involves honoring the marriage vows, nurturing open and honest communication with spouses, and investing time and effort to build a healthy relationship. By prioritizing the our spouses’ needs and well-being, we can cultivate a loving and supportive marital environment conducive to faithfulness.
- Accountability and Community Support. We can’t do it alone, without God or one another. Establishing accountability relationships with trusted friends, mentors, or faith community members can provide crucial support and encouragement in following the Seventh Commandment. By regularly sharing struggles, seeking guidance, and holding one another accountable, we can create a safe and supportive environment for personal growth and accountability in the local church.
- Setting Boundaries and Avoiding Temptation. We are all capable of sin, so humbly recognizing and avoiding situations or relationships that may lead to temptation is essential for maintaining fidelity in marriage. This may involve setting clear boundaries, avoiding compromising situations, not watching certain media, and prioritizing healthy and appropriate relationships that honor God and our marriage covenant.
- Practicing Self-Discipline and Self-Control. One fruit of the Spirit is self-control. This self-control from the Spirit is essential for resisting temptation and upholding the Seventh Commandment. We can cultivate these virtues through practices such as fasting, meditation, and intentional self-reflection. By exercising self-discipline and relying on the strength of the Holy Spirit, we overcome sinful desires and remain faithful to our spouses and God.
- Seeking Professional Help and Counseling. At times, we may need more professional help in our marriages. In cases where we struggle with sexual integrity, seeking professional help and counseling can provide valuable support and guidance. Christian counselors, therapists, or pastoral care providers can offer compassionate care, practical advice, and therapeutic interventions to address underlying issues and facilitate healing and restoration.
- Grace, Forgiveness, and Redemption. Finally, we must remember the principles of grace, forgiveness, and redemption in their efforts to follow the Seventh Commandment. Recognizing that everyone falls short of God’s standards and that forgiveness and restoration are available through Jesus’ sacrifice can provide hope and encouragement for those who have struggled with fidelity issues. By extending grace and forgiveness to themselves and others, Christians can experience healing, renewal, and the power to live lives marked by faithfulness and integrity.
God established marriage before the Fall, with Adam and Eve, with a purpose for intimacy and multiplication. This reflects the oneness within the Trinity, bringing life to all Creation. As believers, our marriages have a purpose for blessing and revelation for the Gospel. If (and when) we fail as humans, we should return to the God who can restore and reconcile all things through Christ.
Peace.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/AntonioGuillem
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