“Technically, It's STILL Sin”

Monday, April 08, 2013

The Bible mentions adultery once in a while, and Jesus says that if you look at a woman and have lust in your heart, you commit adultery.  This seems logical to me IF you or the lady are married.  If not, isn't it fornication?  Or is it classified as adultery?  This affected me personally quite heavily, and now I'd just like to do the right thing, but it doesn't seem clear.  Would marrying someone that has already slept with a couple of people but not gotten married be adultery?  Thanks for considering.

Sincerely,
Wedlock Wondering

Dear Wedlock Wondering,

In order for adultery to happen, there has to be a marriage.  There are two terms used in your question: ‘adultery’ and ‘fornication’.  Both are similar, but not identical.  ‘Fornication’ is defined as ‘sexual immorality’.  The definition of ‘adultery’ is ‘an unlawful sex act committed by a married person’.  All adultery is fornication, but not all fornication is adultery.  The only people that can commit adultery are people that are married (hence the word ‘adultery’… you are adulterating the marriage).  All fornication is a sin (1 Cor 6:18) and should be avoided at all costs – whether you are married or not.  However, technically speaking, an unmarried person cannot commit adultery.

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