Matthew 5:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore, anyone who embodies such lustfulness today—being uncontrolled and desiring the wives of others—engages in mental adultery. In contrast, the individual who masters his desires and remains untainted from moral failure is not an adulterer, but rather in command of his passions. He curbs the onslaught of lustful temptation through the reverence of God, much like a steadfast and solid rock halts the rushing waves of the sea.

However, he who glances at her in passing or due to necessity bears no culpability. The term "wife" here encompasses a married woman, one who has been released by her husband, and a maiden. It is essential to understand that although these teachings seem to be aimed at husbands, they equally apply to wives. The husband is the head of the wife (Eph. 5:23), and the members are connected to the head. He has prohibited the watchful gaze because from it arises passion in the heart; a heart filled with passion also drives the body toward actions of intimacy. Therefore, He severed the source, ensuring that when it produced a branch, it would not yield fruit.

If the contamination were confined only to the outer realms, it might be healable. However, if it reaches the very essence of the soul, no one should be misled. Should anyone, in misleading others, claim that "No one receives a crown unless he contends lawfully" (2 Tim. 2:5), and thus believes that the struggle is honorable if he manages to refrain from the act itself, let him recognize that the Master and Judge of all contests affirmed that "Whoever looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Therefore, the valid struggle is not shaped by personal laziness or bias but is defined by the incorruptible Judge.

Thoroughly investigate, O honorable individual, and you will discover that He embodies truth. The scripture does not state that simply seeing a woman and cultivating desire will lead one to punishment as an adulterer; such a claim would be unreasonable and unfounded. Rather, it specifies that he who gazes at a woman in order to harbor lust—who intentionally invites passion to take root, who continuously engages with this thought and serves those passions through persistent gazing—is already guilty of adultery in his heart (Matthew 5:29). The message is evident to those with even modest understanding that this pertains to those who are pursuing the impossible. If she is married, virtuous, and protected by many, how could he who loves her ever truly possess her? Thus, the label of "adulterer" rightly applies to him who lacks restraint from the action itself, should the opportunity arise. If all the faculties of the soul were not consumed by desire, the body would not be burdened or seek out encounters or lustful scenes to gratify its cravings, as many avoid gazing at those they cherish out of shame. Yet if the love of honor tempers the eyes more than lust for the flesh, then this also is heightened by the fear of God. If anyone questions, "What if a man refrains when temptation arises?" I respond: This represents a true and divine act, a genuine testimony of chastity. Such a person, if only glancing in passing and feeling vulnerable, will not endeavor to gaze frequently; on the contrary, he will distance himself, ensuring that repeated sight does not serve as kindling for desire. He who seeks to gaze is essentially affirming his own passions. And if he boasts that constant looking does not invite danger, he will be corrected by Job, who, having been praised, declared, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman" (Job 31:1). Should one fail to recognize their own inadequacy in this struggle against evil, it is only right to question the validity of their claims that they continuously gaze without consequence. Even if one boldly speaks the truth, they face rebuke for misinterpreting the Divine message. The Lord did not say "Look but do not lust," nor "Lust but remain patient." Yet if he shows no shame regarding his actions, he ought to be humbled by the one who proclaimed, "I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). This speaker, who articulated words surpassing all wisdom while carrying them in a fragile vessel, did not cease from that struggle, affirming, "I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified" (1 Corinthians 9:27). Thus, if such a one contained the desires of the flesh, let everyone strive for safety through the avoidance of sight and by staying far from that which ignites temptation.

I am greatly impressed by your straightforward recognition of the Gospel's teaching as one of profound respect. However, you ask, "What impact does this have on the one who is seen if the observer is susceptible?" You must understand that if she conducts herself with virtue and dignity, avoiding snares for those who encounter her, nothing will occur. But should she indulge in elaboration, lay traps of pleasure, and disseminate poison, she renders herself deserving of condemnation. I underscore this because you perceive the Lord's words to pertain solely to men, failing to recognize their application to women as well. The universal principles are stated for both genders, except those guidelines meant specifically for one or the other. Therefore, if women do not surrender to carnal desires, the Lord's teachings do not apply; yet when they become ensnared in such passions, the teachings extend to them as well. The admonition "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked" (Psalm 1:1) and "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord" (Psalm 111:1), and all similar insights, apply not just to husbands, but also to wives, being spoken in relation to authority and subordination. Likewise, the decree to refrain from lust due to frequent sight applies to both genders.

We must not misconstrue the essence of the words, just as some strive to insist that "Death is rest for man" (Job 3:23) means that death serves only the brave and noble. In truth, for the valiant and esteemed, death is a reprieve, marking the conclusion of struggles and the dawn of rewards. Hence it is noted, "Who can find a virtuous wife?" (Proverbs 31:10). So that none may interpret this as implying the impossibility of such a wife’s existence, it is stated in another context: "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband" (Proverbs 12:4). The term "husband" often denotes strength. Yet here Job does not refer exclusively to the noble but considers every person surrounded by relentless strife. If anyone remains skeptical, they might recognize this from the context of the discourse. The complete declaration is as follows: "Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul? To those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasures" (Job 3:20-23). That is, when overwhelmed by temptations arising from every side, which feel insurmountable, death becomes an appealing prospect. If they reject this interpretation due to the mention of a husband, let it be said that "husband" can refer not only to men but to women as well. For someone who kills a husband is equally capable of killing a wife; in the Greek language, a singular term refers to both male and female figures. Nevertheless, leaving this argument aside, let us seek to uphold all views through Divine principles.

Thus, what shall they say if they encounter the notion "A wicked man walks in perverse ways" (Proverbs 6:12)? What shall be their response to the declaration that "the foolish shall not understand" (Psalm 91:7)? And what will be said when it is stated: "He shall be likened to a foolish man" (Matthew 7:26)? If the term "husband" does not denote man in general but rather those of courage and nobility, then why is the wayward, foolish man labeled as a husband here?

Now, turning back to my original intent, since both the commandments of the law and the sayings of the Gospel, which explicate sins and illuminate blessings, pertain to both husbands and wives, it follows that wives must also exercise caution and curb their vision to avoid facing punishment akin to that of adulterers. For while the desire for carnal connection exists within both genders (some argue that a husband’s desire is more commanding while others suggest the wife’s desire is stronger), each serves a unique role: one sows, the other receives; one conceives, the other bears; one is akin to the farmer, the other to the caretaker of the field. Thus, while there are particulars that differentiate the roles of men and women, the commandments are common and inseparable. Each is charged with the warning: "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14); if either husband or wife is found guilty, both shall be held accountable. Therefore, it is also stated that "Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with the woman in his heart," and it is evident that anyone, whether husband or wife, who gazes with lust at another has already committed adultery in their heart.

Thus, our Saviour Christ, who came to restore our souls damaged by sin through His life-giving teachings, earnestly instructs us to safeguard our hearts against these lethal passions. He commands us not only to refrain from actions but also to guard our words and thoughts of anger, which disrupt the bond of love with our neighbors. As we heard previously, He urges us to be vigilant against even the slightest inclination to passions that taint our love for God. According to His divine declaration, even a lustful glance at another's spouse constitutes an offense committed in the heart, visible to the all-knowing God. Such an offense, while concealed from human judgment, remains exposed before God's scrutiny, prompting Him to withdraw His favor from the wrongdoer—a gaze that will not return until genuine repentance is expressed. For as the Prophet states, the Lord’s eyes are so pure that He cannot behold any wickedness without profound indignation (Hab. 1:13). The Lord's withdrawal from the heart of the unfaithful serves as a profound punishment, one invisible yet more severe than any visible retribution. This consists of God removing His light and grace from a heart hardened in its unfaithfulness, allowing it to succumb to its own frailty, in accordance with His just and active judgment. What can be more destitute than a person left to their own devices and inherent corruption? In an effort to protect us from this imperceptible yet never unavoidable judgment of divine righteousness, our compassionate Saviour cautions us: But if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is better for thee to lose one of thy members, than for thy whole body to be cast into hell.

How can we eradicate adultery as per the law’s command unless we first eliminate lust in accordance with Christ’s teachings? Just as anger gives rise to murder, lust gives rise to adultery. Consequently, if anyone unjustly harbors anger towards his brother, he commits murder in his heart, despite not acting on it due to fear of consequences or a lack of strength. This is seen as murder before God, who focuses not just on actions but on the heart's intentions. Likewise, one who covets another man's wife is, in his heart, committing adultery, even if he fails to act due to external hindrances. In God’s perspective, this person is an adulterer because, although the right circumstances for physical adultery may be missing, the desire remains intact.

To ensure that those who may not grasp the complexities of human nature do not assume that carnal desires dominate all individuals—including the saints—and to avoid arguments against Christ’s commands, we will briefly address the distinction between the soul's will and the flesh's will. Within us exist two natures: the soul and the body; hence, there are two wills—one belonging to the soul and the other to the flesh. This results in two kinds of anger and two kinds of lust: those of the soul and those of the flesh. The nature of the flesh cannot be entirely detached from these passions. Thus, even involuntarily, the flesh experiences both anger and lust because it was created without its own will, existing now under the law of sin, as it is "sold to sin." The apostle indicates this by stating that "carnal thoughts are enmity against God; for they do not obey the law of God, neither can they" (Rom. 8:7).

In contrast, the soul is endowed with free will, aligned with God's righteous law; therefore, it is not compelled to anger or lust unless it chooses to. Whenever we find ourselves feeling anger or lust but feel discontent with these emotions and strive to suppress them, it becomes evident that it is solely our flesh that reacts, not the soul. However, when we feel justified in giving in to anger or lust, our soul aligns with these sentiments as well. Thus, God—understanding that the fleshly nature is resistant to Him—issues commands that pertain to the flesh. Is it truly fair to command something that cannot comply even if it desired to? God addresses the soul, granting it commandments that empower it to obey Him in all aspects, allowing it—despite the flesh's inclinations—to remain free from anger and lust.

‘Similarly, women who adorn themselves to gain favor,’ as Blessed Theophylact points out, ‘also sin, even if no one admires them; they have concocted poison that remains unconsumed because no one partakes of it.’ St. John Chrysostom states, ‘When we observe a child playing with a sword, we discipline him and prevent him from touching it again; in the same manner, God forbids sinful gazes to guard us from ultimately falling into actual sin.’ Consequently, Job resolved never to permit himself such a glance. The Savior teaches, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery with the eyes; therefore, thou shalt not commit adultery in thy heart.’ You may wonder why Jesus does not mention women in this context? Chrysostom answers that He establishes universal principles, addressing the husband for the building up of the household while simultaneously instructing the entire family unit, that is, the wife. For He understands that husband and wife are one; thus, He does not differentiate between the sexes.