Exodus 20:14 You Shall Not Commit Adultery

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17

Exodus 20:14 You Shall Not Commit Adultery[1]
Reading: Romans 13:8-10; John 8:2-11
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I. You Shall Not Commit Adultery.
  A. Adultery: (Heb. “naw-af”: break wedlock; fig. apostatize) (Gr. “moy-khyoo-o”)
    1. Intercourse between a man and a married or betrothed woman[2]
      1a. Spiritual adultery included idolatry, covetousness, and apostacy[3]
        1b. Jer. 3:6, 8, 9; Is. 1:21
    2. Foolish (Prov. 6:32)
    3. Unloving (Rom. 13:9)
    4. A sin (Gen. 39:9; I Cor. 6:9,10; Heb. 13:4)
    5. Punishable by death (Dt. 22:22-24; Lev. 20:10)
    6. Forgivable (Jn. 8:10, 11; I Cor. 6:9-11)
  B. The expanse of adultery
    1. Begins in the heart (Mt. 5:27, 28)[4]
    2. Illegitimate divorce causes (Mt. 5:31, 32)[5]
    3. Marrying a woman who is legitimately another’s wife is adultery (Mt. 5:32; 19:9)[6].
II. Implication: Faithfulness is an Act of Worship of God.
  A. A faithful life is one in which we bow (worship) the Lord.
IV. Challenge
  A. Upon what do you set your heart’s desire?
    1. Lawful desire is not adultery.
    2. Unlawful desire is adultery.


[1] February 23, 2025 sermon for Renewal Bible Fellowship and Hall Church
[2] (Easton, 1897)
[3] Ibid.
[4] Adultery in the heart occurs when we lust (Gr. “ep-ee-thoo-meh-o”: set heart upon, desire) for someone or something with the intent to get what is not allowed by God’s law.
[5] A divorced woman would most likely be driven to remarry to survive (Jamieson, 1871).
[6] Jesus condemned frivolous divorce and discouraged divorce (Mt. 19:3-6) (See also I Cor. 7:10-16). “The bond of marriage is to be broken only by death (Rom. 7:2), adultery (Mt. 19:9), or an unbeliever’s leaving. Throughout Scripture, whenever legitimate divorce occurs remarriage is assumed.” (MacArthur, 2005)