μοιχός (moichos)
moichos
adulterer
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun moichos refers directly to an adulterer, specifically a man who engages in sexual relations with a married woman. In the New Testament, it appears in four verses, most notably in Luke 18:11, where the Pharisee thanks God he is not like other men, and in 1 Corinthians 6:9, where Paul lists those who will not inherit the kingdom of God.
While the primary meaning is literal sexual infidelity, some sources note a metaphorical extension to spiritual unfaithfulness toward God. This dual usage connects physical betrayal with covenantal faithlessness, a theme that resonates throughout biblical theology. Translators consistently render it as "adulterer," preserving the clear moral boundary it establishes.
The word’s presence in lists of vices highlights its seriousness in early Christian ethics. By including moichos alongside other sins like greed and slander, the text underscores that sexual integrity is foundational to communal holiness. Its rare occurrence but strong impact reminds readers that fidelity is not merely a social contract but a spiritual discipline.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word moichos names a specific breach of trust, describing one who violates the covenant of marriage. In the New Testament, this term appears in contexts that highlight both personal sin and spiritual posture. It reminds us that fidelity is not merely a social rule but a reflection of how we honor God and our neighbors.
When Jesus describes the Pharisee’s prayer in Luke 18, the man lists adulterers among those he thanks God he is not like himself. This contrast shows how easily pride can mask self-deception. True repentance begins when we stop comparing ourselves to others and instead look honestly at our own hearts before God.
Paul’s list in 1 Corinthians 6 includes this word alongside other serious sins, warning that such behaviors exclude one from God’s kingdom. Yet the same letter offers hope: those who were once like this have been washed clean. This word calls us to integrity, reminding us that our bodies and relationships belong to God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- adulterers —2×
- adulterers2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- μοιχοὶ2×
- μοιχοὺς1×
- μοιχοί,1×
Key Verses
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Luke 18:11
The Pharisee stood and prayed by himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men: extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
The Pharisee uses the term to distance himself from moral failure, revealing a heart of pride rather than genuine humility.
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I Corinthians 6:9
Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,
Paul places this word in a list of behaviors that disqualify one from inheriting God’s kingdom, emphasizing the seriousness of sexual sin.
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Hebrews 13:4
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
The author contrasts honored marriage with the judgment awaiting adulterers, linking sexual purity to reverence for God’s design.