Proverbs 6:30
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Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
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Some sins are understandable, if not forgiveable. Adultery is not one of them. A hungry man who steals food to survive has not committed a despicable crime, even though he must pay dearly for his theft. But adultery is a despicable crime, which cannot truly be understood. Regardless of the excuses offered for it, adultery cannot be justified at all.
Solomon and his wife warned their son against whorish women and adultery (6:20-35). One argument was to point out the heinous nature of this sin, which makes it unlike other sins (6:29-33; Job 31:9-12). Adultery is such a deep and severe violation of the marriage relationship, that violated men naturally have no mercy for the adulterer (6:33-34).
Solomon compared stealing food in order to eat with stealing a man's wife for illicit pleasure. There is no comparison. Hunger is a powerful drive, and food is necessary to sustain life. Men can understand if a thief steals food to satisfy his hunger. But even though they understand his necessity, they will still require that he make full restitution (6:31). Of course, this was when true justice reigned, not like our effeminate generation.
Circumstances partially excuse some sins, like stealing food to survive (30:7-9). It still violates the eighth commandment, so it is a sin and crime, deserving punishment. The hungry man should have begged, borrowed, or gleaned, rather than take his neighbor's property. He should have sold assets to obtain food. Since he did not, he had to face justice and repay the theft seven times, even if the sentence ruined him financially (6:31).
If stealing food to keep from starving is punished so severely, even though men do not consider it a despicable crime, how severe should the punishment be for adultery, which is very despicable and cannot be explained or justified at all? The argument is powerful! My son, adultery is a terrible sin that cannot be covered or forgiven or understood (6:26-35). Stay far away from it, lest you defile your soul and reputation permanently.
What does Hollywood say? They say it is a glamorous part of life; everyone is doing it; and its pleasure far exceeds marital love! What do our courts say? They say it is no longer a crime at all, even if you pervert nature and use the spouse of your sex! What do psychologists say? They say it may improve marriages and spark romantic renewal!
But what does the LORD Jehovah say? He says it is a capital offence worthy of death! And unless Jesus intervenes to save them by His justifying death, not one adulterer will be in heaven (Ex 20:14; Lev 20:10; Deut 22:22-24; II Sam 12:13; John 8:1-11; Rev 21:8).
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