The seventh of the Ten Commandments God gave Moses to give unto the people of Israel was -- "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14). In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ directed our attention to the fact that this involved far more than merely an illicit sexual encounter, but was more importantly a heart matter. "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery;' but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt. 5:27-28). It is obvious that the Lord does not regard with any degree of favor those who are guilty of adultery, whether that term involves only the inner man or the outer man, or both (more about this later). Indeed, Paul lists "adulterers" right along with drunkards, homosexuals, swindlers and fornicators as being those who "shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Adultery is a very serious matter, and, unless repented of, a deadly matter.

But, what exactly is adultery, and just how are we to understand this concept from a biblical point of view? "That would seem to be about as obvious a question as a person could ask. Whether he has done extensive studies or not, virtually everyone knows that adultery is sexual activity between a married person and someone other than his (or her) lawful spouse. ... It unquestionably has to do with the illicit sexual conduct of a married person" (Wayne Jackson, "What Is Adultery?" -- an article that appeared in The Christian Polemic, May, 2001). Our English dictionaries generally agree with this assessment by Bro. Jackson, defining the word adultery as "sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their spouse." Thus, by this definition, adultery is "cheating on one's lawful mate; sexual misconduct with another." There is no denying that such a view of the concept of adultery is found within the pages of the inspired Scriptures. Consider the following examples:

1. John 8:3-11 --- This particular episode occurred early one morning in the temple courts after Jesus had returned from a long night on the Mount of Olives where He often went to be alone and to pray to the Father. A crowd had gathered to hear Him teach. Some of the religious leaders, apparently aware of where He would be at that time of day, appeared and presented Him with an adulterous woman who had been caught in the act. Interrupting His message to the crowd, they placed this woman before Him and declared for all to hear, "We caught her committing adultery ... we caught her in the very act. The Law of Moses says she should die. What do YOU say?!"

   Jesus was faced with quite a dilemma! Before Him that morning was a woman unquestionably guilty of a serious offense. There was no way Jesus could question the validity of the accusation, and there is no evidence He did. She was caught in the act; there were witnesses; the woman herself was not denying the charge. Her guilt was indisputable! Under the Law of Moses the penalty for adultery was DEATH. Leviticus 20:10 declares that when an adulterous situation occurs, both "the adulterer and the adulteress (i.e., both the man and the woman) shall surely be put to death." Deuteronomy 22:22-24 clearly states the same severe penalty! God views this as a serious matter, even though many of His people seemingly do not.

   • For those who would like to study this intriguing account in much more depth, noticing the reactions of both the religious and the Redeemer to this woman and her offense, I would refer them to my analysis of this incident in Reflections #104.

2. Hebrews 13:4 --- The writer of Hebrews declares, "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge." The Expositor's Bible Commentary explains that the phrase "marriage bed" is simply "a euphemism for sexual intercourse" (vol. 12, p. 146). "The marriage union is divinely ordained, and its sacred precincts must not be polluted by the intrusion of a third party, of either sex" (Dr. F.F. Bruce, The Epistle to the Hebrews, p. 392).

3. Ezekiel 23 --- In this chapter we find a Parable of Two Sisters, both of whom chose to become prostitutes. "They played the harlot in Egypt. They played the harlot in their youth; there their breasts were pressed, and there their virgin bosom was handled ... and they bore sons and daughters" (vs. 3-4). The chapter goes on to speak of these two sisters, Oholah and Oholibah, going after other lovers while being married. Thus, it was said with regard to each, her lovers "laid with her ... and poured out their lust on her" (vs. 8), and she was "worn out by adulteries" (vs. 43). It should be pointed out that these two sisters, in this Old Testament parable, represent Samaria and Jerusalem. It should also be noted, for those who might be easily offended, that this chapter is very graphic; very sexually explicit.

I sincerely doubt whether many persons would try to argue that the above accounts, in which adultery is clearly said to have occurred, are not speaking of physical, sexual sins. They depict illicit, intimate acts committed by those who are married with partners who are not their lawful mates. Thus, the familiar definition of "adultery" is certainly a biblical one. However, and this is a very important question, is this the only accepted definition of the term "adultery" to be found in Scripture? Is it possible this term may have other meanings and applications? I believe the answer to this question is YES, and our acceptance of this fact will have quite an impact on some areas of traditional theology, especially with respect to some of the matters concerning divorce and remarriage. Although I will not be examining all the many ramifications of this broader definition of adultery in this current issue of Reflections, nevertheless I do develop that body of theology in quite some depth in my new book Down, But Not Out, which is now published and available for purchase.

The Greek word in question here is "Moicheia." It is a word that appears, in its various forms, just under 30 times in the NT documents. It is used roughly the same number of times, in its various forms, in the OT writings. What many biblical interpreters fail to appreciate about this word, and other Greek & Hebrew words as well, is its rather significant semantic range. Like a great many English words, it can have several meanings and applications, and these should not be lightly discounted in anyone's interpretation of those passages in which the term moicheia appears. Notice some of the additional usages of this term:

Asexual Aspects of Adultery

In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus stated the following truth -- "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt. 5:27-28). This raises some interesting questions! Is it possible for one to "commit adultery" alone? Obviously, the answer is Yes! Adultery, therefore, is just as much an attitude as an act. Indeed, it may be the former without ever being the latter. In the Haggadic sections of the Jewish Talmud and Midrash, one will find numerous warnings against "adultery," many of which are clearly strong warnings against one's inappropriate thoughts, and which do not even involve another person in an act of literal, physical intimacy. One statement reads, "We find that even he who commits adultery with the eyes is called an adulterer," and a reference to Job 24:15 then follows. "He who regards a woman with lustful intention is as one who cohabits with her." "He who touches the little finger of a woman is as one who touches a certain spot." Perhaps the following insightful quote from a classic Greek reference work makes the point best: "From the religious standpoint, adultery does not consist merely in physical intercourse with a strange woman; it is present already in the desire which negates fidelity" (Dr. Gerhard Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, vol. 4, p. 733-734). Yes, adultery can occur only, and entirely, within one's heart, with no other person actually, physically involved.

Adultery may also, based on the same statement by Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount, be entirely asexual (or non-sexual) in nature. He said, "everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." Thus, Jesus indicates the lustful look may result in the committing of adultery. What is this lustful look? Those who suggest "lust" and "adultery" can ONLY be understood as sexual in nature, would regard the lustful look to be a sexual desire on the part of the man for the woman. But, is that always true? Is it possible to "look upon a woman and earnestly desire her" in a way other than sexually? Is the ONLY desire men have for women SEXUAL in nature? I suppose that will depend to a large extent upon which men one interviews. However, is it even remotely possible that perhaps one or two men out of the billions upon this planet just might have a non-sexual thought now and then when looking upon a woman? Is it just possible that some rare bird out there might look upon a woman and earnestly desire her for some reason other than what sexual gratification he might gain from her body? The answer, of course, is YES. Therefore, we must acknowledge that one can indeed look desirously and longingly upon a woman, and "commit adultery in his heart," and have that "adultery" be entirely NON-sexual in nature. Thus, those who declare that adultery is always and only an illicit sexual act are proclaiming far more than Jesus did, and far more than the usage of the word in Scripture allows.

It is a fact that one can "commit adultery" in his heart and never actually physically lay a hand upon the woman he has looked upon with earnest desire. Indeed, the woman in question may not even be aware she has generated adulterous feelings within this man. The Contemporary English Version has done an excellent job of capturing the meaning of Jesus' words in the Matthew 5:27-28 passage --- "You know the commandment which says, 'Be faithful in marriage.' But I tell you that if you look at another woman and want her, you are already unfaithful in your thoughts." There are many ways to "want" a woman other than sexually, and there are many ways to be "unfaithful in marriage" besides committing some illicit sexual act with one other than one's spouse. The notion of SEX literally has to be read into Matthew 5:27-28. Those who "earnestly desire" (the actual meaning of the Greek word we often translate "lust") another woman (for whatever reason), who have "set their heart upon" one other than their covenantal spouse, are guilty of an inner breach of their covenantal vows. They have broken covenant in their hearts; they have committed moicheia ("adultery"). Thus, "adultery" may be committed alone in one's heart, and it may be entirely asexual. "Adultery" is the breaking of covenant, and it may be brought about by any number of attitudes or actions, sexual and/or non-sexual. To limit moicheia to merely one of many possible manifestations is to completely fail to perceive the meaning of the biblical term.

Consider the following case history --- Dan and Sally had been married for 43 years when they were in a terrible automobile accident. Sally only received minor injuries, but Dan was left paralyzed and impotent. Indeed, because of the extensive nature of his injuries, his sexual organs had to be removed. Sally did her best to care for Dan, but she was ill-equipped emotionally to handle the stresses of his daily care. Feeling the accident was due to his carelessness, she even came to resent him for the turn her life had taken. Still, she sought to be a good wife even though she found it increasingly difficult to show the love she had once felt for Dan. To assist her in his care she had hired the services of a retired nurse who came over daily to help her out. This woman, who was named Cathy, came to be devoted to the care of Dan, and demonstrated a depth of concern that Dan had found lacking in Sally. In time, Dan found himself earnestly longing for the companionship of Cathy over that of his wife Sally. Although he never expressed his feelings to either woman, yet in his heart he desired to spend the rest of his life with Cathy, and secretly hoped perhaps his wife would leave. He didn't long for Cathy sexually; those feelings never entered the picture. Instead, he desperately desired the warmth of her companionship and the depth of her caring. He knew he would be happier with her, and the more he was with Cathy the more he longed for her, and the more he resented the aloofness of Sally.

Jesus informs us that if we look upon another woman and earnestly desire her above our own spouse, then we have already, in our hearts, committed adultery (breached our covenant). Dan's deep longing for Cathy had led him to the point where he had "broken covenant" with Sally in his heart. He had replaced her with another woman as the focus of his affections and desire. Although entirely non-sexual in nature, and although never actually acted upon physically (Cathy never suspected his feelings), yet "adultery" had been committed by Dan. Yes, both "lust" (earnest desire) and "adultery" (breaking covenant -- more about this meaning below) can indeed be asexual, and they can indeed occur only in the heart without actually physically involving another person (the object of one's longing). The reality is that these two Greek words have a very wide and varied "semantic range." This fact must be considered when seeking to interpret any passage in which they appear.

Breach of Covenant

W. E. Vine, in his heralded classic work An Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, informs us that the Greek word moicheia has a broader sense than the sexual. For example, he wrote, "In Israel the breach of their relationship with God, through their idolatry, was described as adultery." I think it is interesting, and highly instructive, to note that Vine does not really characterize the idolatry as constituting "adultery," rather it was the "breach of their relationship" with their God which was viewed as "adultery." Vine has captured the true concept behind this biblical term -- "adultery" is far more a "breach of relationship" (the breaking of a covenantal union) than any specific action or attitude which may have contributed to that breach. Vine goes on to say, "... so believers who cultivate friendship with the world, thus breaking their spiritual union with Christ, are spiritual adulteresses." Again, this Greek scholar has characterized "adultery" as "breaking union" with one to whom one is joined in some special covenant relationship.

• Matt. 12:39 and 16:4, as well as Mark 8:38, speak of a "wicked and adulterous generation." What causes these people to be characterized as "adulterous" by our Lord? Were they all out cheating on their spouses? Was this a sexual orgy of cosmic proportions? No. That's ridiculous. They were being condemned for their lack of faith, their disobedience, and their sense of shame for the Lord and His teachings. This had nothing to do with sex. Rather, it had everything to do with breaching their covenant with the Lord, a breach that could be brought about by any number of specific acts. "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?" (James 4:4). "Your iniquities have separated you from your God" (Is. 59:2). When we turn from God to the world, we break covenant with Him, and we are thus characterized as a "wicked and adulterous generation." Time and time again in Scripture the concept of "adultery" is linked with faithlessness to a covenant relationship. Actually, the far more common biblical understanding of moicheia is a "breach of covenant."

There are countless references, both biblical and extra-biblical, which portray moicheia as a breach of one's covenant with one's God or fellow man, a break in relationship which may be brought about by any number of things, chief of which seemed to be idolatry. This view was especially common among the Apostolic Fathers. Referring to idolatry, 2 Clement 4:3 reads, "Whoever acts as the heathen do, commits adultery." In the Shepherd of Hermas we find the following: "Now they commit adultery, not only who pollute their flesh, but who also make an image. If therefore a woman perseveres in anything of this kind, and repents not, depart from her, otherwise thou also shalt be partaker of her sin" (Commands 4:9).

Dr. Gerhard Kittel, in his massive work, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, also clearly alludes to this concept of the term. For example, with respect to a passage in Revelation, Kittel notes, "The adultery with the prophetess mentioned in Rev. 2:2 is a figure for acceptance of her false teaching and the implied infidelity to God. The tekna of this adulterous relation are the followers of the prophetess" (vol. 4, p. 734-735). Kittel shows here that by embracing this false doctrine a person is in reality severing his relationship with God. It is a breaking of a covenantal union. Thus, the adultery is not so much the embracing of falsehood (although that is involved), as it is the severed union with the Father which results. Dr. Kittel even points out, in an aside, that the word has sometimes even been used figuratively to characterize "the intermingling of different races." Thus, some peoples regarded marrying outside of their own race as a "break" with their own people; a "breaking of fellowship." Again, it was not so much the fact that sex or marriage had occurred, as it was the RESULT of that sex and marriage with outsiders .... the real adultery was perceived as being a breaking with one's people.

In his four volume set: Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, Dr. James Hastings notes that "the essence of adultery" is when "any mode of conduct or actions" occurs which "sets at naught the mysterious relationship of marriage." Dr. Hastings correctly identifies the essence of adultery as being the "setting at naught" of the marriage covenant. He has looked beyond the specific actions themselves (and he implies there may be many such actions), and he focuses on the biblical concept that "adultery" is truly the breaking, or "setting at naught," or the breaching of, the covenant of marriage itself. R.C.H. Lenski points out in his commentary on Matthew that a disrupted marriage is a disrupted marriage, regardless of the specific cause (p. 735). He too understood the "essence of adultery" as being a broken relationship.

In the classic volume: A Greek-English Lexicon of the NT and Other Early Christian Literature, we discover that "any beclouding" of God's relationship with His people, which is depicted as a marriage, "becomes adultery." In other words, the focus is not so much on some specific act itself, but rather upon the fact than ANY action which "beclouds" this covenant relationship is adulterous by nature. Yes, sex is one such action. But, it is not the only action which can becloud or breach or destroy a covenant of marriage (or a covenantal relationship with one's God). Thayer declares that figuratively the word conveys the concept of "faithless to God, unclean, apostate." He further states that "Hebraistically and figuratively" it conveys the thought of "faithless toward God; ungodly." Even in these word choices, Dr. Henry Thayer is striking at the very essence of the concept: it is faithlessness to one with whom one is in a covenant relationship. Again, the "adultery" is not so much the act itself, as it is the faithlessness of setting aside a covenant to engage in said act. It is far more the effect, or result, of the act, than the act itself (of which there may be many, and of great variety), that constitutes the biblical concept of adultery.

Early Bible translators were also not unfamiliar with this basic biblical concept of "adultery" (both the Hebrew and Greek words), and at times even translated the terms to reflect their meaning of "breakdown of covenantal relationships." The King James Version, for example, translates the Hebrew word for "adultery" (which is na'aph) as "break wedlock" in Ezekiel 16:38. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible also translates this Hebrew term this way: "adulterer; woman that breaketh wedlock." William Tyndale (1494-1536) translated the Greek as "breaketh wedlock" in Matt. 19:9. Thus, when it is stated that "adultery" has occurred, this may well be far more than the fact that two people have engaged in an illicit sex act. It is really stating that a covenant relationship has been broken, which may have been caused by any number of things (including an illicit sex act). This is brought out dramatically in the following statement found in Mal. 2:14 -- "The Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant." Those who deal treacherously with their spouse are guilty of breaking a covenant relationship. This is "adultery."

Concluding Thought

There were additional meanings and applications of moicheia in that ancient day and age that should also not be overlooked in any attempt to interpret some passage. The Jews, for example, regarded the intermingling of Jews with those of other races to be "adultery," and from our study of the OT Scriptures we know for a fact that part of the covenant God made with His people was that they were not to mingle with the nations about them. Thus, such intermingling was indeed a "breach of covenant" (i.e., "adultery"). Sex with animals was also considered "adulterous," so the "partner" did not always have to be human! We could list other, even more remote, applications, but these should suffice to make the point.

To allow ourselves to be side-tracked from the broad semantic range of this biblical concept, and to assume, as some have done, that "adultery" is strictly and only a sexual act, is to completely fail to perceive the true significance of God's teaching in the Scriptures. The idea consistent throughout is that "adultery" is unfaithfulness to a covenant relationship; an unfaithfulness that may manifest itself in any number of ways, but which inevitably leads, if not corrected, to the breakdown of that relationship. May God help us to stay focused on our covenant relationships, both vertically and horizontally. The cost for doing otherwise is much too high!!

From a Reader in Texas:

Al, I am looking forward to reading your book "Down, But Not Out." This has been a very difficult subject in the brotherhood, as you are aware, and the church has not looked on this subject with much understanding, at least not where I have been in my early years. Many have been driven away, far more than they have been loved and encouraged. Thus, I'm anxious to receive your book and read it. Thanks also for all your Reflections. I enjoy these very much. They are a light in the darkness so many times for me.

From a Reader in Missouri:

Al, I enjoyed your latest Reflections, as usual. I finally received my two copies of your book. I have not gone through it yet, but will very soon. I plan to buy a couple more copies soon, so that I may have them on hand as gifts for anyone who may need them.

From a Reader in Georgia:

Al, "Down, But Not Out" is a wonderful book. I have been learning so much from reading it -- not just about the man-woman marriage relationship as taught in the Bible, but also the man-God relationship as well. Bravo!!!

From a Reader in New Mexico:

Al & Shelly, Being a quiet, yet forceful, inspiration to each other has its dynamic rewards! In this case, the publication of a much needed directional book ("Down, But Not Out"). You are both to be congratulated ... but mostly blest!!

From a Reader in California:

Greetings Al, I am one of those older persons (mentioned in the "Readers' Response" section of Issue #205) who read your Reflections. I am 83, a Christian, a woman, and one who intensely loves our Lord Jesus Christ. Your messages give my heart such relief and peace. The Spirit leads you to words that are so true and so non-dogmatic; words that are said in love and truth. My background is Church of Christ, and I appreciate the foundation I had from them in Bible study, but as I grew in knowledge, I found I was smothered, stifled and bound by them. Where was the freedom and love that we read about?! I am now a widow, loving Him more every day, and am worshiping with a loving group at the First Christian Church. I too, like you, prefer the glorious harmony of the human voice when raised in praise, but it is my heart the Father is hearing, nothing else.

From a Minister in Tennessee:

Al, I am 69 and free. For over 40 years I have had questions but could not find the answers because it was heresy to ask. Thank God those days are past. Thanks for the freedom you espouse in Christ.

From a Reader in Kentucky:

Al, Why do you choose the Church of Christ to be a member of?

• My parents were members of the Church of Christ. When they produced my sister and me, they took us to the church where they were members. Initially, therefore, as is true with most people, it was not a choice on my part, but merely a matter of being taken where my parents attended. I really don't remember ever being given a choice ... most kids aren't. Probably the much bigger issue is: Now that you are an adult, and able to decide for yourself, why do you stay?! I think Dr. Leroy Garrett has done an excellent job of addressing this issue in his book "A Lover's Quarrel -- My Pilgrimage of Freedom in Churches of Christ." I did a review of this book in Reflections #107, which I would encourage the readers to go back and review. I have also attempted to answer the above question in my own way in one of my early articles ... Reflections #20: "'Why Do You Stay?' -- Rationale for Continued Association." --- Al Maxey

From a Reader in New Mexico:

Al, I enjoyed your article on the indwelling of the Spirit. I don't know exactly when we went away from believing in the literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but even with the limited reading I have done of the authors of the late 1800's and early 1900's (Lipscomb, McGarvey, Lard) it seems they believed in the indwelling. I agree with you on so many things, such as your view of the concept of eternal punishment, but there are several areas where I disagree with you. For example, I think you have stated that you have certain items that you deem to be "essential;" items that you think are required for fellowship. I feel that you do a disservice to the "patternists" when you don't acknowledge that they also have "essentials" which they cannot go beyond. You would not go beyond your essentials --- neither would they. However, I do like your idea of asking the "patternists" for those essentials. I think it is sowing a seed of doubt in their minds, whether they admit it or not.

• Brother, I do indeed acknowledge that they also have "essentials" that they truly believe they cannot in good conscience go beyond. That is not the issue. The problem here is that they will not tell us what they are, yet declare them absolutely vital to our eternal well-being! I am willing to specify what I believe the essentials of both salvation and fellowship to be, and to validate each one by an appeal to God's Word. Indeed, I have done just that in both recent and past issues of my weekly Reflections. I don't see how I have done any "disservice" to the legalistic patternists by simply asking them to provide what they claim has been specified by God in Scripture! Also, I have no personal problem with them seeking to order their own personal lives according to their own convictions. They are free to interpret the Word and apply it to their lives as best they understand it, just as I am. Where I have a problem with most legalistic patternists is in their quest to BIND their personal convictions upon the rest of humanity as conditions of both fellowship and salvation. If they are going to elevate their "list of essentials" to this level, then they are thereby obligated to provide that list in all its fullness to all who request it of them, and to validate each item on that list with sound exegesis from the Word. This they refuse to do!! Brother, where I would be doing a "disservice" to both them and those who may be influenced by their teaching is in NOT exposing and opposing such teaching. Again, when anyone dares to declare a body of belief and practice to be essential to fellowship and salvation, and when they practice condemnation and withdrawal from those who may differ with them, then they are under obligation to specify the particulars and parameters of that body of belief and practice, and also to validate it. Those who flee from such responsibility and accountability are factious frauds, and they need to be publicly exposed as such! --- Al Maxey

From a Doctor in Alabama:

Al, Of my many faults, procrastination may be my worst. I've been meaning to watch Chocolat ever since you recommended it in Reflections #198, but I didn't get around to watching it until last night. It was everything you said it was, and more! Like you, I love well-crafted movies. My DVD collection contains mainly classic films; most of them made long before I was born. It's good to know that someone is still making quality movies in this day and age. Chocolat is the sort of movie that everyone ought to see, and the sermon given by the young priest at the end of the film is one that everyone needs to hear. I would highly recommend Chocolat to anyone who loves good movies, and would especially recommend it to anyone who wants to see a film that promotes love over legalism. I would even recommend Chocolat to my Pharisaic friends, but I'm afraid that they would come away with the wrong message: viewing the film as a cautionary tale about the seductiveness of sin -- about how Satan (personified by Vianne) can tempt even a righteous man like the Comte to commit sin by making the sin seem enjoyable, by convincing people that there is nothing wrong with it, and by promoting an attitude of tolerance toward those who do not conform. I've come to realize that the Pharisees among us are so convinced that their own legalistic and paranoid views of religion and morality are right that not even the Scriptures can change their minds, much less a movie.

********************
If you would like to be removed from or added to this
mailing list, contact me and I will immediately comply.
If you are challenged by these Reflections, then feel
free to send them on to others and encourage them
to write for a free subscription. I would also welcome
any questions or comments from the readers. A CD
containing these articles may be purchased. Check the
ARCHIVES for details & past issues of Reflections:
http://www.zianet.com/maxey/Reflect2.htm