You shall not commit adultery.

The sixth commandment encompasses the entirety of human sexuality, focusing on the necessity of respecting and honoring God’s design for human relationships. This commandment is rooted in the scriptural understanding that the union between a man and woman is sacred, resulting in the two becoming one flesh (Genesis 2:24).

Theologically, this design is manifested in marriage and family life, which are ordered toward the good of the spouses, the procreation of children, and the education of those children (CCC 2249). Jesus further clarifies the depth of this commandment by teaching that God’s plan for marriage must be taken with utmost seriousness, noting that adultery is not limited to physical acts but can occur in the heart through lustful thoughts.