Fornication and adultery are two sins that the Bible clearly condemns. However, there is sometimes confusion about what exactly constitutes fornication versus adultery. At a basic level, fornication is sexual intercourse between two unmarried people, while adultery involves at least one married party. However, there are some nuances to each term that are important to understand. This article will provide an in-depth look at fornication and adultery, including Biblical definitions, explanations, and key differences between the two.
Definition of Fornication
The word “fornication” comes from the Greek word “porneia,” which refers to any sexual intercourse outside of the marriage relationship. Fornication generally refers to consensual sexual intercourse between two unmarried people. This could include premarital sex, prostitution, pornography, homosexuality, and other forms of sexual immorality. Here are some key points about fornication:
- Fornication involves sexual intimacy between two people who are not married to each other.
- It is considered a serious sin according to the Bible (1 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 5:19).
- Fornication can refer to a range of sexual acts, not just vaginal intercourse.
- Even consensual fornication is considered a sin because it goes against God’s design for sexuality to be reserved for marriage.
- Fornication is linked closely with sexual impurity and lust in scripture (Matthew 5:28; Romans 1:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5).
- Unrepentant fornication can prevent someone from inheriting the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
Overall, fornication refers to voluntary sexual relations outside of the marriage covenant. Any intimate sexual activity between unmarried people is considered fornication in the Bible.
Definition of Adultery
Adultery refers specifically to sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their spouse. This could involve either extramarital or premarital sex with someone other than one’s husband or wife. Here are key Biblical points about adultery:
- Adultery always involves at least one married partner engaging in sex outside of their marriage.
- It is strongly condemned throughout Scripture (Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 6:32; Hebrews 13:4).
- Adultery breaks the marital covenant and vows made before God.
- In the Old Testament, adultery was punishable by death (Leviticus 20:10).
- Jesus expanded the definition to include lustful intent as a form of adultery (Matthew 5:28).
- Adultery often stems from covetousness, lust, and idolatry.
- God promises to judge those who commit adultery (Hebrews 13:4).
Adultery is sexual intercourse specifically between a married person and someone who is not their spouse. It requires at least one participant to be married while being intimate with someone outside of their marriage.
Key Differences Between Fornication and Adultery
While fornication and adultery are both sexual sins, there are some important distinctions between the two:
- Marital status – Fornication involves only unmarried people, while adultery requires at least one married partner.
- Vows – Adultery violates the marriage vows and covenant, while fornication does not.
- Punishment – Adultery was punishable by death under Old Testament law, but fornication was not.
- Scope – Fornication has a broader scope of meaning compared to adultery.
- Parties involved – Adultery involves three or more people, while fornication only directly impacts two people.
- Motivations – Adultery often stems from dissatisfaction in marriage, while fornication is usually motivated by lust or temptation.
While both sins should be avoided, adultery has some additional factors that set it apart from fornication. The marital status, broken vows, and multiple people involved make adultery a unique and more serious sin in Scripture.
Bible Verses About Fornication
The Bible mentions fornication frequently as a serious sexual sin. Here are some key verses that address fornication:
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:2)
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” (Hebrews 13:4)
“But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)
These verses demonstrate that fornication should be avoided to honor God. Sexual activity is reserved for marriage between husband and wife.
Bible Verses About Adultery
Scripture contains many serious warnings against engaging in adultery. Here are some key verses about adultery:
“You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17)
“If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:10)
“But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.” (Proverbs 6:32)
“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)
According to these verses, adultery is a grievous sin in God’s eyes. It violates marriage vows and leads to destruction.
Examples of Fornication in the Bible
Though condemned throughout Scripture, the Bible includes some examples of fornication and its consequences:
- Dinah – In Genesis 34, Dinah engaged in premarital relations with Shechem, which led to tragic consequences in her family.
- Tamar – Genesis 38 tells the story of Judah and Tamar, which involved prostitution and pretend incest as forms of fornication.
- Samson – Samson had relations with multiple women such as the prostitute in Gaza, which broke his Nazirite vows to God (Judges 16).
- Solomon – 1 Kings 11:3 states that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines which led his heart away from devotion to God.
These examples illustrate the heartache and consequences that often accompany sexual sin outside of marriage.
Examples of Adultery in the Bible
The Bible includes several narrative examples of adultery and its effects as well:
- David and Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11 tells the famous story of David committing adultery with Bathsheba, leading to devastation.
- Samson and Delilah – Judges 16 includes Delilah seducing Samson and using it to ultimately betray him.
- Absalom – 2 Samuel 16:22 describes Absalom publicly sleeping with his father David’s concubines on the palace roof.
- Woman at the well – In John 4:16-18, Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman who has had five husbands and is living with a sixth man.
These Biblical accounts demonstrate the jealousy, betrayal, and division that adultery frequently causes.
Purposes of Marriage
Understanding God’s purposes for marriage can shed light on why fornication and adultery are so problematic:
- Companionship – Marriage provides intimate friendship between husband and wife (Genesis 2:18).
- Bearing children – God designed marriage for procreation and raising godly offspring (Genesis 1:28; Malachi 2:15).
- Passion – Marital intimacy allows passion and physical connection in a holy context (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).
- Purity – Marriage prevents lust and offers a legitimate outlet for sexual desire (1 Corinthians 7:2).
- Illustration – Marriage between man and wife illustrates Christ’s relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:22-33).
Any sexual activity outside of marriage violates these purposes that God intended. Fornication and adultery contradict God’s design for marriage.
Old Testament Laws About Adultery
Under Mosaic law in the Old Testament, adultery was strictly forbidden and punishable by death:
- The 7th commandment prohibited adultery (Exodus 20:14).
- Leviticus 20:10 required adulterers to be put to death.
- Deuteronomy 22:22 mandated stoning as punishment for adultery.
- Adulterous marriages were prohibited in Deuteronomy 24:1-4.
- A suspected adulteress underwent a trial by ordeal in Numbers 5:11-31.
- Men who seduced virgin girls were punished under Exodus 22:16-17.
These laws reveal how seriously God regarded marital faithfulness and the sin of adultery.
Adultery and Divorce
Adultery often led to divorce under Old Testament law:
- Deuteronomy 24:1 permitted divorce if a man found “some indecency” in his wife.
- Adultery qualified as sufficient grounds for divorce.
- However, remarriage after an adulterous divorce was restricted (Deut. 24:4).
- God hates divorce overall, as it breaks covenant (Malachi 2:16).
- Jesus limited divorce only in cases of adultery (Matthew 19:9).
- Paul allowed divorce if an unbelieving spouse leaves (1 Cor. 7:15).
Adultery corrupted marriage covenants, but God’s heart is reconciliation and forgiveness when possible.
Why is Adultery Considered Wrong?
Adultery is consistently condemned in Scripture. Here are some reasons why it is so wrong:
- It violates the marital covenant made before God.
- It breaches trust and intimacy shared with one’s spouse.
- It often harms children and extended family relationships.
- It distorts God-given passions meant for marriage.
- It is rooted in deceit, secrecy, and betrayal.
- It ruins the earthly illustration of Christ’s love for the church.
- It demonstrates dissatisfaction with God’s provision in one’s spouse.
- It frequently leads to jealousy, envy, pride, and division.
- It brings judgment and discipline from God.
Overall, adultery contradicts marriage’s purposes and seriously damages relationships.
Overcoming Sexual Sin
Here are some Biblical strategies for overcoming habitual sexual sins like fornication and adultery:
- Repent, confess, and seek accountability (James 5:16).
- Flee from temptation and eliminate stumbling blocks (Genesis 39:12; Matthew 5:29-30).
- Pursue satisfaction in Christ above all else (John 4:13-14).
- Meditate on Scripture and pursue purity (Psalm 119:9-11; Philippians 4:8-9).
- Avoid compromise and remain vigilant (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).
- Fill your mind and time with righteous habits and disciplines (Philippians 4:8).
- Rely on the Holy Spirit to empower change (Romans 8:9-13).
- Patiently work to restore broken marriages and relationships.
With humility, accountable community, and Spirit-empowered conviction, Christians can walk in sexual purity by God’s grace.
Fornication vs Adultery – Summary
In summary, here are the key differences between fornication and adultery:
- Fornication is consensual sexual activity between unmarried people, while adultery involves at least one married partner.
- Any sexual intimacy outside of marriage is considered fornication, while adultery requires one or both people to be married.
- Fornication is motivated by lust or temptation, while adultery often arises from dissatisfaction in marriage.
- Adultery violates marital vows and involves more people being impacted.
- Adultery was punishable by death under Old Testament law, but fornication was not.
- Both sins contradict God’s purposes for sexuality being reserved for the marriage covenant.
All sexual immorality outside of marriage is sinful before God. Fornication and adultery damage relationships and bring harm in multiple ways. God graciously offers forgiveness to those who repent, along with empowerment to walk in purity by the Spirit.
