What Does Exodus 20:14-15 Mean?
The law in Exodus 20:14-15 defines two clear commands from God: 'You shall not commit adultery.' 'You shall not steal.' These words protect marriage and property, showing God’s care for trust and fairness in relationships. They were given to guide His people in living right and honoring Him.
Exodus 20:14-15
"You shall not commit adultery." "You shall not steal."
Key Facts
Book
Author
Moses
Genre
Law
Date
Approximately 1446 - 1406 BC
Key People
- God
- Moses
Key Themes
- Marriage and sexual purity
- Respect for personal property
- God's holiness and moral law
- Community justice and trust
Key Takeaways
- God protects marriage and property through clear, timeless commands.
- Jesus fulfilled the law, transforming rules into heart obedience.
- Honesty and faithfulness reflect God’s love in everyday choices.
Setting the Stage at Sinai
These commands come right after God rescued His people from Egypt, as He was showing them how to live in close relationship with Him and one another.
Standing at Mount Sinai, God gave these laws to help His people build a just and trusting community. He wanted their homes and households protected, which is why He said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 'You shall not steal.'
Two Clear Commands for a Life of Trust
These commands are straightforward because God wants trust to be the foundation of every home and community.
Not stealing means respecting what belongs to others, and not committing adultery means honoring the sacred promise of marriage. Both reflect God’s heart for fairness and faithfulness, values that stand the test of time across nearly every culture and society.
How Jesus Fulfilled the Law on Our Behalf
Jesus lived the perfect life we couldn’t, never stealing or breaking the marriage covenant, showing us what it means to truly honor God in every action.
He said in Matthew 5:17, 'Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.' Because of His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, we are no longer under the law as a set of rules to earn God’s favor, but we follow these commands out of love and gratitude for what He has done.
Still God’s Way: How the New Testament Upholds These Commands
Jesus and the apostles deepened these commands, showing that God cares about our actions and our hearts.
In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus said, 'You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart,' making it clear that purity starts within. Likewise, Ephesians 4:28 says, 'Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need,' turning honesty into a positive act of love and generosity.
So the heart behind both commands is this: honor others, not just in deed but in motive. A modern example? That means being faithful not only in marriage but in how we treat people online, at work, and in private. It means valuing what others have - whether it’s their spouse, their belongings, or their dignity - and choosing respect over selfishness.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
I once knew a man who worked in sales and always joked about 'bending the truth' to close a deal. He considered it a business transaction, not theft. After reading how God calls us to both avoid theft and honor others with honest work, something shifted. He started turning down deals that felt shady, even when it cost him commissions. At first, he felt the weight of lost income, but over time, he found a deeper peace - and even gained respect from clients who trusted him. It hit him that respecting others’ property, time, and dignity wasn’t just a rule - it was part of living like Jesus. The same goes for marriage. When we guard our hearts against lust and our words against flirtation that crosses a line, we’re not just avoiding sin - we’re protecting real love, real families, real trust. It’s not about guilt; it’s about guarding what matters most.
Personal Reflection
- When have I justified a small lie, shortcut, or selfish choice by telling myself it wasn’t really 'stealing'?
- In what areas of my life - thoughts, relationships, or habits - am I failing to honor the sacred trust of marriage, even if I’m not physically unfaithful?
- How can I turn 'not stealing' into a positive act this week, like working harder, giving more, or respecting what belongs to others?
A Challenge For You
This week, choose one practical way to live out these commands: First, if you’ve taken something that isn’t yours - whether it’s money, time, or even a borrowed item - return it or make it right. Second, take an honest look at how you treat others’ marriages and your own: avoid flirtatious conversations, block tempting content, or simply pray for purity in your heart. Let love, not rules, lead the way.
A Prayer of Response
God, thank you for caring about my relationships and the small choices I make every day. Forgive me for the times I’ve stolen - whether through laziness, dishonesty, or pride. Cleanse my heart from lust and selfishness, and help me honor others like you do. Show me how to love faithfully and live honestly, not to earn your favor, but because you’ve already given it so freely through Jesus. Amen.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Exodus 20:13
Precedes the verses on adultery and theft, establishing the progression from murder to violations of trust and property in God’s moral order.
Exodus 20:16
Follows directly, extending the call to integrity by forbidding false testimony, reinforcing truthfulness as foundational to community trust.
Connections Across Scripture
Proverbs 6:30-31
Highlights the seriousness of theft and adultery, showing both carry heavy consequences, reinforcing God’s justice in protecting relationships and property.
James 2:11
Connects the command against adultery and stealing as part of a unified moral law that all are bound to keep.
Colossians 3:9
Calls believers to stop lying, extending the principle of honesty beyond theft to all forms of deception in Christian living.