The Bible discusses adultery in a straightforward, grave, and profoundly spiritual manner. Scripture repeatedly emphasizes the purity of marriage and the disastrous effects of infidelity, from the Old Testament prohibitions to Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament.
God created marriage as a covenantal partnership based on love, trust, and dedication to one another. Adultery shatters the bond, harming not only the individuals but also families, communities, and a person’s relationship with God.
The Bible warns of the spiritual, emotional, and interpersonal repercussions of adultery in addition to denouncing it as sin. In addition to guilt, shame, and a broken trust, adultery frequently causes anguish that spreads well beyond the initial act. Scripture does, however, also mention God’s forgiveness, mercy, and the potential for restoration for repentant people. It highlights the gravity of sin as well as God’s grace, which restores people to holiness and fidelity.
Examining Bible passages on adultery enables us to comprehend God’s values of faithfulness, purity, and the sanctity of marriage. These verses remind believers of the significance of protecting their hearts, keeping their promises, and living in accordance with God’s plan. They also serve as a warning and a guide. Additionally, they inspire hope by demonstrating that God still pardons the repentant and gives them the courage to live moral lives even after sin has occurred.
40 Powerful Bible Verses About Adultery (2025)
1. Exodus 20:14
“You shall not commit adultery.”
This commandment is one of the foundational pillars of God’s moral law, directly addressing the sanctity of marriage. Adultery is not only a betrayal of a spouse but also an offense against God’s covenant of faithfulness. By forbidding adultery, God safeguards trust, loyalty, and the sacred bond He established between husband and wife.
2. Leviticus 20:10
“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.”
This verse highlights the seriousness with which God views adultery in the Old Testament law. Though the punishment reflects the strict justice of the time, it underscores that unfaithfulness destroys families and communities. It also reveals how deeply God values purity and covenant loyalty.
3. Deuteronomy 5:18
“You shall not commit adultery.”
This verse reaffirms the commandment originally given in Exodus. By repeating it, God emphasizes that marriage is sacred, not to be defiled by lust or unfaithfulness. Contentment, faithfulness, and integrity are essential in protecting the union He designed between husband and wife.
4. Proverbs 6:32
“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.”
The book of Proverbs warns that adultery is self-destructive. Beyond damaging relationships, it leads to shame, regret, and spiritual harm. This verse teaches us that adultery is not just a sin against others but also a path to one’s own downfall.
5. Proverbs 5:18-19
“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”
This passage encourages faithfulness and joy within marriage. Instead of seeking fulfillment outside the covenant, husbands are called to cherish and delight in their wives. God’s design for intimacy is rooted in mutual love, respect, and commitment.
6. Proverbs 5:3-4
“For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.”
This verse paints a vivid contrast between the initial temptation of adultery and its bitter consequences. What begins as appealing or sweet quickly turns into pain, regret, and destruction. God warns us that sin often disguises itself as pleasure, but its end is ruin.
7. Proverbs 7:21-23
“With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life.”
Here, the danger of yielding to adultery is compared to traps that ensnare animals. The imagery underscores how sin blinds a person to its ultimate cost—loss of peace, trust, and even life itself. Temptation may appear harmless, but it leads to bondage and destruction.
8. Malachi 2:16
“‘The man who hates and divorces his wife,’ says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘does violence to the one he should protect,’ says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.”
God directly links unfaithfulness in marriage to violence against the covenant of love and protection. Adultery violates not only trust but also the divine purpose of marriage as a safe and nurturing bond. God calls His people to guard their hearts against unfaithfulness.
9. Matthew 5:27-28
“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.”
Jesus expands the commandment against adultery, teaching that sin begins in the heart. Lustful thoughts are just as dangerous as physical acts because they corrupt the soul and dishonor God’s design for purity. He calls us to holiness in both action and thought.
10. Matthew 19:9
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
Jesus reaffirms the seriousness of adultery and clarifies that sexual unfaithfulness disrupts the sanctity of marriage. This teaching reveals God’s heart for marital faithfulness and the weight He places on keeping covenant vows sacred.
11. Mark 10:11-12
“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.”
Jesus underscores the equal responsibility of both men and women in preserving faithfulness. Marriage is not a contract to be broken at will but a sacred covenant before God. Adultery dishonors this covenant and brings spiritual consequences.
12. Luke 16:18
“Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
This verse reiterates the seriousness of marital commitment. God views marriage as a lifelong covenant, not to be taken lightly. Adultery and unlawful divorce undermine His perfect design for love and unity within the family.
13. John 8:4-5
“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”
The Pharisees sought to trap Jesus by presenting a woman caught in adultery. This passage highlights the severity with which the law viewed adultery, but it also prepares the stage for Jesus to show mercy, grace, and forgiveness for repentant sinners.
14. John 8:10-11
“Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’”
Jesus demonstrates God’s heart of mercy toward sinners. While adultery is sin, His grace offers forgiveness and a new beginning for those who repent. This verse reveals that God calls us away from sin and toward a life of purity and obedience.
15. Romans 7:2-3
“For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress.”
Paul uses the law of marriage to illustrate the seriousness of adultery. The covenant bond is binding, and unfaithfulness is a violation of God’s design. This passage reminds us that marriage reflects covenant loyalty, pointing to Christ’s faithfulness to His Church.
16. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
“Or 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 nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul makes it clear that adultery and sexual immorality are not minor failings but sins that, if unrepented, separate us from God’s kingdom. This passage shows us that adultery is not only a betrayal of another person—it is ultimately rebellion against God’s holiness. The warning is not given to condemn but to awaken believers to the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance. God calls His people to live in purity and righteousness, showing that faithfulness is not optional but essential for those who belong to Christ.
17. 1 Corinthians 6:18
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
Unlike other sins, sexual immorality, including adultery, involves the body uniquely and intimately. Paul’s command to “flee” shows the urgency and danger of lingering near temptation. It is not something to debate with or try to resist slowly—it requires immediate escape. Sexual sin damages the body, soul, and spirit, leaving deep scars. This verse reminds believers that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and must be guarded carefully. Adultery is more than a moral failure; it is a desecration of God’s dwelling place within us.
18. 1 Corinthians 7:2
“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”
Paul gives a practical and godly solution to sexual temptation: faithfulness within marriage. Instead of seeking fulfillment outside, God has designed marriage as a safe and holy place for intimacy. This verse highlights God’s wisdom in providing marriage as both protection from sin and a blessing to spouses. It underscores the importance of honoring one’s husband or wife and recognizing that marital intimacy is not only physical but also deeply spiritual, building unity and guarding against temptation.
19. Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul categorizes adultery and sexual immorality as acts of the flesh, placing them alongside idolatry, hatred, and envy. The seriousness of this list reminds us that adultery is not a small, private sin but one with eternal consequences if unrepented. It grows out of selfishness and disregard for God’s design. By warning believers, Paul calls us to examine our lives and walk by the Spirit, which produces love, faithfulness, and self-control. This passage is both a caution and a call to live in the freedom Christ provides.
20. Ephesians 5:3
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.”
Paul sets a high standard for God’s children—not even a “hint” of sexual immorality. Adultery begins long before physical action; it starts with glances, thoughts, or compromises. This verse challenges believers to live above reproach, keeping their lives pure in both public and private. It reminds us that holiness is not about how close we can get to sin without falling but about avoiding it altogether. As God’s people, we are called to reflect His holiness in every aspect of our lives, including relationships.
21. Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
This verse affirms the sanctity of marriage and places responsibility on everyone—married or not—to honor it. God views the marriage bed as sacred, set apart for husband and wife alone. Adultery defiles this holy union and brings judgment. Yet, this warning also shows us the value God places on faithfulness: He protects marriage because it reflects His covenant love with His people. When we honor marriage, we honor God; when we betray it, we dishonor Him.
22. James 4:4
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
Here James uses the metaphor of adultery to describe spiritual unfaithfulness. Just as marital betrayal wounds a spouse, chasing after the world’s desires is betrayal against God. Adultery is not only a physical sin but also a picture of divided loyalty. This verse shows us that at the heart of unfaithfulness is choosing something—or someone—over God. True contentment and joy come only from devotion to Him, and anything else is idolatry in disguise.
23. Revelation 2:22
“So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.”
In this message to the church in Thyatira, Jesus warns against a false teacher who led believers into immorality. The imagery of a “bed of suffering” stands in stark contrast to the temporary pleasure of adultery, showing how sin always turns into pain if not repented. This passage emphasizes the seriousness with which Christ views adultery, both physical and spiritual. Yet, the call to repentance shows God’s mercy: forgiveness and restoration are available to anyone who turns away from sin and returns to Him.
24. Job 24:15
“The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he thinks, ‘No eye will see me,’ and he keeps his face concealed.”
This verse reveals the secretive nature of adultery. Those who commit it often believe they can hide their actions in the dark or keep them from others. But no sin is hidden from God, who sees even the secret places of the heart. This verse warns against the deception of thinking sin can be kept private. What is done in secret eventually brings exposure, shame, and judgment. God calls His people to walk in the light, living with integrity rather than concealment.
25. Job 31:9-10
“If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door, then may my wife grind another man’s grain, and may other men sleep with her.”
Job declares his commitment to purity and faithfulness, acknowledging that even being enticed or seeking temptation is a breach of loyalty. He recognizes that adultery brings destruction not only to the guilty person but also to their spouse. By making such a bold statement, Job highlights the seriousness of allowing temptation to fester. This passage teaches that faithfulness requires guarding the heart and avoiding situations that open the door to compromise.
26. Jeremiah 3:8
“I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery.”
God uses the image of adultery to describe Israel’s unfaithfulness to Him through idolatry. Just as adultery breaks a marriage, spiritual betrayal breaks the covenant between God and His people. This verse shows the seriousness of both physical and spiritual adultery—they represent rejection of love and covenant. God’s judgment on Israel is a warning for us: when we stray from Him, whether through immorality or idolatry, the result is separation and sorrow.
27. Jeremiah 5:7
“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.”
Here, God expresses His grief and anger over Israel’s betrayal. Despite His provision and faithfulness, His people turned to idolatry and immorality. This verse shows how adultery grieves God’s heart—it is not just a sin of the body but a rejection of His love and goodness. The betrayal highlights humanity’s tendency to abandon God even when He has given everything we need. This passage reminds us that sin is not just breaking rules—it is breaking God’s heart.
28. Ezekiel 16:32
“You adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband!”
God speaks to Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife, accusing her of preferring idols and foreign nations to Him. This vivid imagery highlights the pain of betrayal in marriage and the even deeper pain of spiritual betrayal. Just as adultery devastates a spouse, idolatry devastates God’s covenant relationship with His people. This verse reminds us that choosing anything over God—whether sin, idols, or worldly desires—is unfaithfulness to the One who loves us most.
29. Hosea 4:13
“They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar and terebinth, where the shade is pleasant. Therefore your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery.”
Hosea connects idolatry with widespread immorality in Israel. When people turn from God, their moral foundations collapse, and adultery and immorality become rampant. This verse demonstrates the link between spiritual unfaithfulness and physical sin. When God is abandoned, society loses its anchor, and sin spreads. Hosea warns that adultery is not just an individual issue but a symptom of a deeper spiritual sickness in the community.
30. Hosea 4:14
“I will not punish your daughters when they turn to prostitution, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery, because the men themselves consort with harlots and sacrifice with shrine prostitutes—a people without understanding will come to ruin!”
Here God exposes the hypocrisy of blaming women for sexual sin while men engage in the same behavior. The whole society was corrupted by idolatry and immorality. God shows that unfaithfulness is not a gendered issue—it is a collective failure when His people abandon truth. This passage reminds us that adultery is not an isolated act but part of a culture of compromise. Without repentance and true understanding of God’s holiness, destruction follows.
31. Matthew 19:9
“I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”
Here, Jesus provides clarity on marriage and divorce, pointing out that sexual immorality is the one circumstance where divorce may be justified. His teaching underscores the sanctity and permanence of marriage. This verse emphasizes that marriage should not be abandoned lightly, and remarriage under wrongful circumstances leads to adultery. It calls believers to honor their marital commitments as a covenant before God, upholding faithfulness and purity.
32. 1 Corinthians 7:2
“But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”
Paul gives practical counsel to the Corinthian church, urging husbands and wives to remain faithful to each other to avoid falling into temptation. This verse reinforces the biblical truth that intimacy belongs within the covenant of marriage. By addressing the realities of human desire, Paul highlights God’s provision of marriage as the rightful place for sexual expression and fulfillment.
33. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable.”
This passage reminds believers that holiness includes sexual purity. God’s will is not only about spiritual practices like prayer and worship, but also about how we conduct ourselves in our physical lives. By calling us to self-control and respect for our bodies, this verse reinforces the importance of avoiding adultery and any form of sexual immorality.
34. Hebrews 13:4
“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
This verse elevates marriage as a sacred institution that must be respected. It warns that God’s judgment awaits those who disregard marital purity. By highlighting God’s concern for both faithfulness and morality, it reinforces the weight of adultery as a serious sin. The call here is to preserve honor in marriage, reflecting God’s holiness in our relationships.
35. Proverbs 2:16-17
“Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.”
The wisdom of God is portrayed as a shield against adultery and temptation. Here, adultery is described not just as betrayal against a spouse but as breaking a covenant with God. This emphasizes the spiritual dimension of marital unfaithfulness, reminding believers to rely on divine wisdom to resist temptation and remain faithful.
36. Proverbs 5:18-19
“May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.”
These verses encourage faithfulness by celebrating the joy and satisfaction found in a loving marriage. Rather than seeking fulfillment outside the marriage covenant, the passage calls husbands to delight in their wives. It highlights God’s design for marital intimacy as a source of joy and protection against adultery.
37. Jeremiah 5:7
“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.”
This verse captures God’s sorrow and anger toward Israel for forsaking Him. Their adultery is both physical and spiritual—turning from God to idols and engaging in immorality. It reveals the depth of betrayal and highlights how adultery wounds not just individuals but also breaks faith with God Himself.
38. Revelation 2:22
“So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.”
This warning from Jesus to the church at Thyatira addresses the sin of following false teaching that led to sexual immorality. Adultery here is condemned with a promise of divine judgment unless repentance occurs. It emphasizes the seriousness of this sin and God’s call to turn away from it immediately.
39. Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul lists adultery and other sins of the flesh as barriers to inheriting God’s kingdom. This passage is a sobering reminder that unchecked sin, including adultery, has eternal consequences. It calls believers to examine their lives, repent, and pursue holiness through the Spirit.
40. Revelation 21:8
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
This final verse serves as a grave warning that sexual immorality, including adultery, leads to eternal separation from God if unrepentant. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the urgent need for repentance and redemption through Christ. Yet, it also highlights God’s justice and holiness in dealing with unfaithfulness.
Conclusion
Adultery violates God’s divine order for love, marriage, and covenant in addition to being a betrayal of trust between two individuals. Scripture is filled with numerous warnings concerning the terrible effects of unfaithfulness and its destructive power. However, the Bible also conveys a message of hope in addition to these cautions. God urges us to repentance, purity, and restoration rather than abandoning us in our sin. Christ’s steadfast love for His church is reflected in His design for marriage, which is based on constancy, unselfish love, and commitment.
The Bible reminds us that grace and forgiveness are always available to people who have experienced or been impacted by adultery. Restoration is achievable with repentance, confession, and God’s mercy. These verses exhort us to live a life of honesty, purity, and devotion to God’s will in addition to avoiding the traps of infidelity. We honor God and the holy bond of marriage by living as a testament to His truth and redeeming love, walking in obedience and protecting our hearts.
