Some of the things that I have said in regard to the previous commandment also apply to this commandment and the ones which follow, for those commandments warn us against doing any kind of injury to our neighbor. They are also arranged in good order, for they deal first with life, then marriage, and then property and reputation. Here the Bible explicitly forbids any violation of the marriage covenant. Adultery is specifically mentioned because breach of the marriage covenant was a violation of civil law, and was, therefore, punishable by death. God instituted government to condemn and punish public prostitution, adultery, homosexuality, pornography, and public lewdness. (1 Tim. 1:9-10)
*However, this commandment is directed against all manner of
unchastity,
whatever it may be called. Not only is the external act forbidden, but
also every cause, incitement, and means. We are to be chaste, not only
in regard to the outward act, but also in our heart, our lips, and
every
aspect of our behavior. Furthermore, we should always encourage
chastity
and avoid any temptation to rationalize sexual sin, while counseling
others
to do the same. Those who egg on someone who is inclined to sexual sin
or say nothing to dissuade him are as guilty as those who actually
commit
the act. This includes those who encourage sexual sin by immodest
attire or by trafficking in pornography. To put it briefly, this
commandment
requires everyone to live chastely and help his neighbor do the same.
By
this commandment, God would protect our homes and increase our
happiness.
[*Luther saw this commandment as a summary of everything the Bible
says about sexual sin.]
Through this commandment, God honors and defends His institution
of marriage. He sanctioned marriage in the fourth commandment, "Honor
thy
father and thy mother,", here He defends and protects it. This
commandment
makes it clear that God wants us to honor marriage, take our
obligations
seriously, and conduct ourselves in a way that recognizes it as a
divine
and blessed estate. It is an estate which He instituted before others,
making it clear that He did not create men and women for lewdness and
immorality,
but that husband and wife should live together in love, be fruitful,
beget
children, nurture them, and train them to honor God.
For that reason, married life is not to be entered into lightly
or without careful consideration. Marriage should be treated as a holy
estate and should be approached with all seriousness. In the eyes of
God
it is of utmost importance we raise up children who will fight against
wickedness and the devil while promoting the knowledge of God, godly
living,
and all virtues. That is why God has richly blessed marriage above any
other estate, and would severely punish those who violate it. Knowing
the
importance God places on marriage, we should never hold it in contempt,
speak of it as a trap, or regard celibacy as a higher estate (as do
those
blinded by Satan). Instead it is to be honored, respected, and held in
high esteem. Its importance can be seen in the fact that no one is
above
this commandment. All men, no matter how exalted their position in this
world, must respect the marriage vow – not just among Christians, but
throughout
the world.
Marriage is not only honorable, but in most cases necessary. God's
general command is that a man should leave his father and mother and
cleave
unto his wife. While there are some, like the Apostle Paul, who are
able
to remain chaste though unmarried, it is difficult if not impossible
for
most people to do so. God created men and women for marriage, and
marriage
is good, because as long as we are in the flesh we must deal with the
desires
of the flesh, and in marriage the natural inclination and excitement
have
an outlet making it less difficult to avoid unchastity. Although we
still
have a sinful heart, and, therefore, need God's mercy and forgiveness
that
we might be pure, God has instituted matrimony that every one may have
his proper portion and be satisfied therewith.
Those priests, monks, and nuns who resist God's will in regard to
marriage, thinking that their avoidance of marriage somehow makes them
more holy than others, show contempt for God while deceiving the simple
with their lying words. No one has so little love and inclination to
chastity
as those who try to make themselves righteous by avoiding marriage.
Many
of them have become involved in prostitution, homosexuality, or the
sexual
abuse of children, yet the truth is covered up. Though they abstain
from
the act, their hearts are so full of unchaste thoughts and evil lusts
that
there is a continual burning and secret suffering which can be avoided
in married life. Therefore all of their vows to remain unmarried are
condemned
by this commandment, and those who have accepted God's free gift of
righteousness
have His permission, yea His command, to marry. It is His will for
those
poor ensnared consciences that have been deceived by monastic vows to
abandon
the unchaste state and enter married life. Even if the monastic life
were
godly, those who are not able to remain chaste without marriage will
only
bring upon themselves God's condemnation should they remain in it.
That righteousness might be exalted, it is important for youth to
see marriage as a blessed estate that is pleasing to God. If this is
done
and married life is restored to a position of honor, there will be less
of the filthy exaltation of immorality that now plagues our society.
Because
our government has ceased to enforce laws that condemn immorality;
adultery,
prostitution, homosexuality, and other shameful vices are rampant in
out
society. Instead of encouraging immorality, our government ought to
support
the efforts of parents to see that their children are brought up to
discipline
and respectability, and when they are grown to have them married
honorably,
in the fear of God. The greatest happiness this life has to offer
belongs
to those who, having entered into an honorable marriage relationship,
have
His grace and blessing upon their home.
In conclusion let me point out that this commandment not only
requires
us to live chastely in thought, word, and deed, but also that every one
love and esteem the spouse given him by God. For where chastity is to
be
maintained, man and wife must live together in love and harmony each
cherishing
the other from the heart and with entire fidelity. For mutual love and
commitment are fundamental to the desire to be chaste, so that, where
love
and commitment are found, chastity will follow. That is why the Apostle
Paul diligently exhorts husband and wife to love and honor one another.
In contrast to ecclesiastical celibacy, obedience to this commandment
is
in full accord with the will of God, and many good works and acts of
kindness
follow from it.
[The above is based upon, and closely follows, Martin Luther's
explanation
of the sixth commandment.]