Grace Thompson
The Ten Commandments are a set of religious and moral imperatives that are recognized as a moral foundation in several of the Abrahamic religions, including the Catholic Church. The Sixth Commandment, Thou shalt not commit adultery, is fundamentally based on the Divine Will and pertains not only to sexual infidelity but encompasses the whole of human sexuality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| One of the Ten Commandments | The Ten Commandments are a series of religious and moral imperatives that are recognized as a moral foundation in several of the Abrahamic religions, including the Catholic Church. |
| The Sixth Commandment | "You shall not commit adultery." |
| Adultery | Adultery is a marital infidelity and a grievous sin against God and the marital spouse. Adultery is defined as a carnal connection between a married person and an unmarried person or between a married person and the spouse of another. |
| Forgiveness | Adultery is a forgivable sin. Jesus manifested his forgiving love to an adulterous woman, saying, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again." |
| Chastity | The Sixth Commandment requires all to cultivate chastity according to their state of life. |
| Purity | The commandment inculcates purity of mind and body. |
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What You'll Learn
Adultery is a grievous sin
The Sixth Commandment, 'Thou shalt not commit adultery', is a cornerstone of Catholic moral teaching. This commandment is a clear and direct instruction from God, given to guide humans towards a moral and virtuous life. Adultery is a grave sin, and it is a direct violation of this commandment.
Adultery is a profound betrayal and a grave offense against the sacredness of the marital covenant. It is an act of grave matter, and it violates the promise and vow made by a married couple before God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear that adultery is a grave sin: "Adultery refers to marital infidelity. When two partners, of whom at least one is married to another party, have sexual relations—even transient ones—they commit adultery." (CCC 2380)
The Sixth Commandment protects the sanctity of marriage and the family unit. Marriage is a sacred bond, a covenant between a man, a woman, and God. It is a lifelong union, intended to be an exclusive and faithful relationship. Adultery breaks this sacred trust and undermines the very foundation of the family, which is the basic unit of society. The family is meant to be a place of love, security, and stability, and adultery destroys this.
It is important to understand that adultery is not only a physical act but also an emotional and spiritual betrayal. It involves a deep violation of trust and can cause profound harm to all involved, including the spouses, children, and the wider community. The act of adultery often involves deception, secrecy, and a violation of the marital vows, which include promises of fidelity and loyalty.
The Catholic Church teaches that adultery is a grave sin that requires repentance, confession, and amendment of life. It is a wound that can be healed through God's grace and mercy. Those who have committed adultery must turn away from this sin, seek forgiveness, and strive to rebuild trust and restore their relationships.
Finally, it is worth remembering that God's grace can heal even the deepest wounds caused by adultery. Through sincere repentance, confession, and a commitment to living a virtuous life, individuals can find forgiveness and restore their relationship with God and their community.
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Marriage is a union between man and woman
The Sixth Commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery", is one of the Ten Commandments, a series of religious and moral imperatives that are recognized as a moral foundation in several of the Abrahamic religions, including the Catholic Church. The Sixth Commandment teaches us about relationships and to respect them, especially the relationship between a man and a woman in marriage.
The commandment is derived from the Old Testament books of Exodus and Deuteronomy, where Moses, acting under the orders of God, freed the Israelites from physical slavery in Egypt. According to Church teaching, God offered a covenant, which included the Ten Commandments, to also free the Israelites from the "spiritual slavery" of sin.
In the Catholic faith, marriage is a union between a man and a woman, ordained by God from the beginning of creation. In the Book of Genesis, God creates woman, and at the sight of her, Adam exclaims, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man". In the woman, who is eventually named Eve, Adam finds the companion and helper he could not find among the animals, for she is also created in God's image and likeness.
The Sixth Commandment, therefore, teaches us to respect the sacred bond of marriage between a man and a woman. Adultery devalues this commitment made between a husband and wife before God. Jesus himself forbids not only the act of adultery but also immodest looks, stating that "every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart".
Furthermore, the Catholic Church teaches that marriage is indissoluble, except by the death of one of the partners. Divorce and remarriage are considered adulterous unions, as those couples are still validly married to their first spouse. By divorcing and remarrying, they are not fulfilling the command given by Christ, which is in accordance with God's plan for marriage.
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Adultery devalues the commitment made in marriage
The sixth commandment, as outlined in the Catholic faith, is "Thou shalt not commit adultery." This commandment is a direct safeguard of the sanctity of marriage, emphasizing the importance of fidelity and commitment between spouses. At its core, this commandment serves as a reminder that adultery is not only a violation of the marital vows but also a grave offense that undermines the very foundation of the marital union.
Marriage, in the Catholic understanding, is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, instituted by God himself. It is a lifelong union, intended to be an enduring bond of love, mutual support, and fidelity. When a couple exchanges their wedding vows, they make a profound commitment to one another, promising to love, honor, and cherish each other exclusively until death. Adultery, therefore, represents a breach of this covenant, a breaking of the promise made before God and the community.
Furthermore, adultery erodes the foundation of trust upon which a marriage is built. Trust is the bedrock of any healthy marital relationship, and it is cultivated through honesty, fidelity, and mutual respect. Adultery shatters this trust, leaving the betrayed spouse feeling hurt, betrayed, and questioning the very nature of their union. The act of adultery introduces doubt, insecurity, and a sense of betrayal that can be incredibly challenging to overcome, often requiring a significant amount of time, effort, and healing for the marriage to be repaired.
The sixth commandment reminds Catholics of the importance of upholding the sanctity and integrity of marriage. By abstaining from adultery, spouses honor their vows, reinforce their commitment to one another, and safeguard the sacredness of their union. It is through fidelity and faithfulness that marriages thrive, fostering an environment of love, trust, and mutual support that reflects the divine love of God.
Ultimately, the Catholic understanding of the sixth commandment highlights the beauty and importance of marital fidelity. By abstaining from adultery, spouses honor not only their vows to one another but also the sacredness of the institution of marriage itself. Through their commitment and faithfulness, they bear witness to the power of love, the strength of their promises, and the enduring nature of the marital covenant.
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Adultery is forgivable
The Sixth Commandment in Catholic theology, "You shall not commit adultery", pertains not only to sexual infidelity but encompasses the whole of human sexuality. Adultery is a grave sin, and a violation of the bond of marriage. However, it is forgivable.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official summary of Church beliefs, states that the Ten Commandments are essential for spiritual good health and growth. They are a moral foundation for several religions, including Catholicism, and are considered the "primary precepts of justice and all law". According to Church teaching, God offered the Ten Commandments to free people from the "spiritual slavery" of sin.
Jesus forgives all sins, and he gives priests the power to forgive sins too. A priest can forgive a person who has committed adultery, even if their spouse does not. A penitent person must show contrition, which consists of sorrow and detestation for their sins, and a firm resolve to sin no more. They must also confess their sins and submit to the judgment of the priest and carry out their penance.
In the words of E. Christian Brugger, a moral theologian, "If we as Christians can’t be forgiven, we are lost; we’re as empty and desperate as we sometimes feel".
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Cultivating chastity is required
The Sixth Commandment in Catholic theology is "You shall not commit adultery". This commandment pertains to sexual infidelity and encompasses the whole of human sexuality. Adultery is a grievous sin against God and a marital spouse, but it is a forgivable sin. Jesus himself forgave an adulterous woman, saying, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again" (John 8:11).
The Sixth Commandment is fundamentally based on the Divine Will, which establishes marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Adultery devalues this commitment and inflicts deep anguish on the betrayed spouse. It is a crime that injures or destroys the holy and honorable union of marriage, which is generally a source of ardent affection and love.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official summary of Church beliefs, interprets the Sixth Commandment as requiring all to cultivate chastity according to their state of life. Chastity is a virtue that is highly valued by God, as evidenced by His choice of a virgin mother and the chaste St. Joseph as His foster father. Cultivating chastity brings one closer to God and is rewarded with special favors, such as clearness of vision, a peculiar taste for heavenly things, and deep interior peace.
Chief among the means of cultivating chastity are prayer and mortification, which involves shunning idleness, excessive eating and drinking, indecent conversation, immodest dances, plays, dangerous company, bad books, and immodest pictures. By practicing self-control and avoiding occasions of sin, one can cultivate chastity and remain faithful to the Sixth Commandment.
In summary, the Sixth Commandment's prohibition against adultery is a safeguard for the sacred institution of marriage. Cultivating chastity is required to live out this commandment faithfully and to maintain the integrity of the marital union. Through prayer, self-discipline, and avoidance of temptations, Catholics can strive to uphold the Sixth Commandment and honor the sanctity of marriage.
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Frequently asked questions
The 6th commandment in Catholic theology is "Thou shalt not commit adultery".
Adultery is defined as a carnal connection between a married person and an unmarried person or between a married person and the spouse of another. Adultery is a grievous sin against God and the spouse but is a forgivable sin.
The 6th commandment pertains to the whole of human sexuality and requires all to cultivate chastity according to their state of life.
