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?

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Types Of Adultery Part 1: What Types Of Adultery Give Biblical Reasons For Ending A Christian Marriage

Marriage.

It can be a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, it can also be quite a nightmare. Our souls long to be intimately connected to another, yet no one needs to suffer through a life of abuse.

If you're in a Christian marriage that appears to be dissolving in every direction you may be wondering if divorce means you will never be able to be intimately united with another again.

After all, you are not aware of any sexual promiscuity happening. Well-meaning people, even clergy, have told you that physical adultery issues are the only biblical reasons for divorce. Are they right?

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Why is it that marital disharmony appears to be the only area where people are either expected to "tough it out" or be isolated from intimate connections with a spouse? To that end, I would like to discuss several types of adultery and how they affect our being able to marry again should we choose to venture down that trail with another.

Before I start, I would encourage troubled marriages to seek out counsel and help before throwing their love to the wind. Divorce is not an easy road. The grass is not greener on the other side. And where children are involved, taking this path can lead to a lifetime of brokenness within their own precious lives.

Never the less, sometimes it is the only option left and should be used as an absolute last resort rather than the first option chosen.

With that said, let's turn to a study of the two most common words for adultery within God's Word which are Porneia & Moicheia.

*** MOICHEIA ADULTERY DEFINED ***
During my research I found most everyone rallying to this definition of adultery even when attempting to define porneia.

Why?

Simple. Because moicheia more clearly defines what they want adultery to be than the word porneia does. When one decides what a thing will be and then uses scripture to support their position they are walking on extremely dangerous ground.

Thus, if I were to conclude that porneia is a greater adultery than moicheia for whatever reason I would be incorrect.

Moicheia “adultery”- sexual intercourse between a married person and another who is not the spouses mate.

Biblically we see references to this in…

Leviticus 20:10
If a man commits adultery with another man's wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.

There is no question but that this is talking about a physical intimacy. However, it is quite short sighted to leave this argument at this point.

In part 2 we will continue looking at different types of adultery as well as their affects on a Christian marriage in an attempt to uncover the truth on biblical reasons for divorce and remarriage.

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