Many people do not understand the biblical definition of adultery. "Adultery: conjugal infidelity. An adulterer was a man who had illicit intercourse with a married or a betrothed woman, and such a woman was an adulteress. Intercourse between a married man and an unmarried woman was fornication. Adultery was regarded as a great social wrong, as well as a great sin."
The commandment is much more narrow than most believe. It does not cover sex before marriage and it does not cover sex between a married man and an unmarried woman.
Leviticus 20 covers a lot of sexual directives, and the forbidden areas are much smaller than most believe.
I do regret so long a post - but I hope all will be able to grasp it anyway.
In the new testament, fornication, adultery, lasciviousness, inordinate affection, etc... are ALL condemned.
But so that you realize you are absolutely and utterly wrong about sexual intercourse between a married man and an unmarried woman not being adultery, consider the words of Christ - “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery...”
Matthew 19
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
There is no qualification, no restriction, no requirement about the woman being married to another, in verse 9 of the word of God: if a married man takes her, he commits adultery.
Conversely, does anyone truly think if he does *not* put away his wife, yet has sexual intercourse with another, that he will be innocent in the eyes of Christ?
Matthew 5
27 ¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
When it comes to the Bible I’m not really looking for loopholes or “gray” areas, staking ones eternal life on a technicality is way to much for this forgiven sinner to risk. Take care of yourself. :)