Where does the Bible talk about adultery and cheating?

Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:27-28, Proverbs 6:32-33, John 8:7-11, Psalms 51:1-4, Hosea 3:1-3, Luke 17:3-4.

Is adultery grounds for divorce in the Bible?

Jesus makes one exception to his teaching against divorce: “except it be for fornication” (Matthew 19:9). For many churches, this allows a betrayed spouse to end the marriage — allows, not requires: some couples walk through betrayal and rebuild. Whether that spouse may remarry is a point on which churches differ.

Is emotional cheating really cheating?

The Bible does not use that phrase, but Jesus places adultery in the heart before the body (Matthew 5:28). A hidden intimacy that gives someone else what was promised only to your spouse is already on the road to betrayal — and is best dealt with early and honestly.

Does God forgive adultery?

Yes. David was forgiven after his adultery (2 Samuel 12:13), and Paul, after naming adulterers in a list of sins, tells the church: “And such were some of you” (1 Corinthians 6:11). God’s forgiveness comes with repentance: confessing the sin and forsaking it (Proverbs 28:13).

Does forgiving infidelity mean going back to how things were?

No. Forgiving means giving up revenge; rebuilding trust is a separate process that takes time and calls for truth, changed behavior and often the help of a pastor or a couples therapist. The one who betrayed needs to own what they did, and the one betrayed does not have to pretend it does not hurt.

What does the Bible say about cheating and adultery?

The Bible treats adultery as a serious breach of the marriage covenant, and Jesus shows that betrayal begins in the heart, before the act. At the same time, it does not close the door: there is forgiveness for those who repent and a path to restoration — which is not the same as pretending nothing happened.

Exodus 20:14

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

One of the Ten Commandments, set beside do not kill and do not steal: faithfulness in marriage stands at the center of God’s law, not at its edge.

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Matthew 5:27-28

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Jesus takes the command inward: adultery begins with the look that lusts, before any act. It is the closest the Bible comes to answering whether there can be betrayal without physical contact.

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Proverbs 6:32-33

But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

Proverbs counts the cost: the one who commits adultery “destroyeth his own soul”. Betrayal wounds the spouse, but also the betrayer — and it leaves marks that do not fade overnight.

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John 8:7-11

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

A woman caught in adultery is brought to Jesus — without the man, although the Law required both to be punished (Leviticus 20:10). Jesus disarms the accusers and does not condemn her, yet he does not call the sin anything else: “go, and sin no more”. This passage (John 7:53–8:11) is missing from the oldest manuscripts of the Gospel, but most churches read it as Scripture.

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Psalms 51:1-4

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

According to its title, David wrote this psalm after the prophet Nathan confronted him over his adultery with Bathsheba. It is the pattern of repentance, without excuses; God forgave David (2 Samuel 12:13), and the consequences still came.

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Hosea 3:1-3

Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.

God tells Hosea to love again the wife who betrayed him, as a picture of his love for an unfaithful people. Restoration comes on new terms, a season of waiting and faithfulness on both sides; it is not a command to every betrayed spouse, but a portrait of what forgiveness can rebuild.

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Luke 17:3-4

Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Jesus does not ask anyone to pretend: the sin is named — “rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him”. Forgiving is not saying it did not hurt; it is giving up revenge — and rebuilding trust is a further step.

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After betrayal

The pain of being betrayed is real, and the Bible does not ask you to hide it: the Psalms are full of people pouring out their souls before God. Do not make big decisions alone or in the heat of the first days; reach out to someone you trust, your church leaders and, if possible, a professional counselor. And for the one who betrayed, the way forward begins with confessing and stopping, not with hoping no one finds out. Forgiveness, reconciliation and trust are three different steps, and each has its own time.

Frequently asked questions

Is adultery grounds for divorce in the Bible?: Jesus makes one exception to his teaching against divorce: “except it be for fornication” (Matthew 19:9). For many churches, this allows a betrayed spouse to end the marriage — allows, not requires: some couples walk through betrayal and rebuild. Whether that spouse may remarry is a point on which churches differ.
Is emotional cheating really cheating?: The Bible does not use that phrase, but Jesus places adultery in the heart before the body (Matthew 5:28). A hidden intimacy that gives someone else what was promised only to your spouse is already on the road to betrayal — and is best dealt with early and honestly.
Does God forgive adultery?: Yes. David was forgiven after his adultery (2 Samuel 12:13), and Paul, after naming adulterers in a list of sins, tells the church: “And such were some of you” (1 Corinthians 6:11). God’s forgiveness comes with repentance: confessing the sin and forsaking it (Proverbs 28:13).
Does forgiving infidelity mean going back to how things were?: No. Forgiving means giving up revenge; rebuilding trust is a separate process that takes time and calls for truth, changed behavior and often the help of a pastor or a couples therapist. The one who betrayed needs to own what they did, and the one betrayed does not have to pretend it does not hurt.

In the Antioquia app, a daily devotional brings the Word into your routine, and every verse opens a study of the words in Hebrew and Greek.

Where it is written in the Bible

Exodus 20:14

Matthew 5:27-28

Proverbs 6:32-33

John 8:7-11

Psalms 51:1-4

Hosea 3:1-3

Luke 17:3-4

After betrayal

Frequently asked questions

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