Types Of Adultery Part 2: What Types Of Adultery Give Biblical Reasons For Ending A Christian Marriage

In part 1 of this article we looked at the more traditional understanding of the types of adultery within a Christian marriage. We now continue our discussions with a more thorough examination on biblical reasons for divorce and remarriage. Please bare in mind that it is this writers intent to rely on God's Word alone to understand critical matters such as these within our culture today.

*** PORNEIA ADULTERY DEFINED ***
What is this other word "porneia" that people through the centuries have attempted to ignore?

Porneia is defined in the Strong’s as follows, "from 4203; harlotry (incl. Adultery and incest); fig. Idolatry: - fornication."

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Clearly this is taking the concept beyond the mere act of physical intimacy with someone who is not your spouse to the thoughts and behaviors of individuals. This would include anything that would be against the marital covenant of "for as long as you both shall live." This would include, but not be limited to…

* Abuse (physical, mental & spiritual)
* Neglect (emotionally or physically)
* Anger (verbally including cursing)
* And the list really does go on.

Jesus Himself took us beyond the definition of moicheia right into the heart of porneia during His own ministry.

Matthew 5:26-28
You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Yet this is a fact that numerous people want to conceal for whatever reason. Could it be that the book of Romans explains their reason quite clearly in a single sentence?

Romans 2:21-23
You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?

*** CONCLUSIONS ON ADULTERY ***
Clearly adultery is physical, but it is so much more than that too. I fear that we lay people have been duped into manipulative control by people who want us to ignore the deeper meanings of adultery. No matter if it is moicheia or porneia adultery is marital unfaithfulness and needs to be addressed.

Good thing Jesus did this directly within His ministry.

Matthew 5:32
But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

As a matter of fact Jesus even forgave people caught in adultery on more than own occasion.

John 4:18
Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."

John 8:7
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."

Therefore, adultery is not the unpardonable sin that some would make it out to be. But it is up to you when considering biblical reasons for ending a Christian marriage. Will you listen to man and their narrow views on adultery or God who clearly outlines the different types of adultery within His Holy Word?