Briefly stated, this
means that we should fear and love God that we may lead a chaste and decent
life in word and deed, and each love and honor his spouse.
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.]