Proverbs 6:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.

NIV: So is he who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

NASB: So is the one who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her will not go unpunished.

CSB: So it is with the one who sleeps with another man's wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.

NLT: So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished.

KJV: So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

NKJV: So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.

Scripture affirms that adultery will not go unpunished. The earthly consequences might be known only to a few people, and in some cases might even be minor. But they're always there, in some way, shape or form (Proverbs 6:27–28). More importantly, sin carries eternal consequences.

Adultery begins with a look that entices someone to anticipate pleasure, but it leads inevitably to pain and punishment. This is partly because adultery almost always leads to other sins, mostly to cover up the act. David's sin with Bathsheba led him to conspiracy and even murder by proxy (2 Samuel 11). He confessed with bitter tears and received forgiveness (Psalm 51:1–2), but he paid a penalty for his transgression. The child born of the adultery died (2 Samuel 12:7–15), and turmoil afflicted his household for the rest of his life. He even experienced the fury of a jealous, biiter son, Absalom, who led a rebellion and tried to steal the kingdom from him.

Solomon emphatically points out that whoever commits adultery with his neighbor's wife will be punished. An adulterer may think his sin is a secret, as David did, but God sees all and knows all. He has warned, "Be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23). It is important to guard one's eyes to avoid falling prey to seduction and experiencing punishment for that sin. Job testifies in Job 31:1: "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?"

Proverbs 6:20–35 returns to the topic of adultery, something Solomon also discussed in chapter 5. He warns his son to abide by the teaching he received from his parents, because they will guide him and keep him from the adulteress. Further, he cites the harmful and irreversible consequences of adultery.

This chapter provides teaching on two aspects of wealth management. The first is avoiding putting one's property in debt for the sake of some other person's risky investment. The other warns against laziness, indicating that it puts a person at risk for sudden ruin. Solomon then poetically explains attitudes and actions which God finds especially repulsive. Next, Solomon returns to the subject of adultery. He reiterates the inherent risks of sexual immorality, including the catastrophic consequences which it brings. That lesson continues into the following chapter.

This chapter of Proverbs continues the wise sayings Solomon addresses to his son. In chapter 5 he addresses adultery and marriage. In this chapter he addresses financial matters, work ethics, characteristics and conduct the Lord despises, and sexual immorality. A common theme of these lessons is to avoid the natural consequences of foolish choices. The next chapter describes the adulteress's ways and the pitfalls involved in committing adultery with her.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.