314.就属灵之义而言，“犯奸淫”表示玷污圣言的各种良善、歪曲它的真理。“犯奸淫”的这层含义至今不为人知，因为圣言的灵义一直被隐藏至今。从以下经文清楚可知，在圣言中，“行奸淫”、“行淫”、“行邪淫”无非表示此意：
你们当在耶路撒冷的街上跑来跑去，在宽阔处寻找，看看有一人行公义、求诚实没有？我使他们饱足，他们就行奸淫。（耶利米书5:1，7）
我在耶路撒冷的先知中曾见可憎恶的事，他们行奸淫，作事虚妄。（耶利米书23:14）
这二人是在以色列中行了丑事，与邻舍的妻行淫，又假托我名说我未曾吩咐他们的话。（耶利米书29:23）
他们行淫，因为他们离弃耶和华，不遵他的命。（何西阿书4:10）
人偏向交鬼的和行巫术的，随他们行邪淫，我要向那人变脸，把他从民中剪除。（利未记20:6）
只怕你与那地的居民立约，百姓随从他们的神，就行邪淫，祭祀他们的神。（出埃及记34:15）
由于巴比伦是玷污和歪曲圣言的典型代表，因此她被称为“大淫妇”。在《启示录》中，以下这些事说的就是她：
叫万民喝邪淫、大怒之酒的巴比伦。（启示录14:8）
有一位天人前来对我说：“我将坐在众水上的大淫妇所要受的刑罚指给你看”。（启示录17:1，2）
祂审判了那用淫行败坏世界的大淫妇。（启示录19:2）
因为犹太民族歪曲圣言，主称之为“淫乱的世代”（马太福音12:39；16:4；马可福音8:38）和“通奸者的种子”（以赛亚书57:3）。在很多其它经文中，“奸淫”和“邪淫”都表示圣言的玷污和歪曲（如耶利米书3:6，8；13:27；以西结书16:15，16，26，28，29，32，33；23:2，3，5，7，11，14，17；何西阿书5:3；6:10；那鸿书3:4）。
314. 就屬靈之義而言, "行淫"是指玷污聖言教導的良善,歪曲聖言教導的真理。"行淫"的這層含義至今不為人知, 因為聖言的屬靈含義一直被隱藏至今。下列經文中"行淫","妓女"所指皆是此意:
你們當在耶路撒冷的街上跑來跑去, 在寬闊處尋找, 看看有一人行公義,求誠實沒有？我使他們飽足, 他們就行姦淫(耶利米書5:1, 7)。我在耶路撒冷的先知中曾見可憎惡的事, 他們行姦淫, 作事虛妄(耶利米書23:14)。這二人是在以色列中行了醜事, 與鄰舍的妻行淫, 又假託我名說我未曾吩咐他們的話(耶利米書29:23)。他們行淫, 因為他們離棄耶和華不遵他的命(何西阿書4:10)。人偏向交鬼的和行巫術的, 隨他們行邪淫, 我要向那人變臉, 把他從民中剪除(利未記20:6)。只怕你與那地的居民立約, 百姓隨從他們的神, 就行邪淫, 祭祀他們的神(出埃及記34:15)。
因為巴比倫比誰都更加玷污和歪曲聖言, 因此被稱為"大淫婦"; 『啟示錄』的下列經句就是如此論到它:叫萬民喝邪淫,大怒之酒的巴比倫(啟示錄14:8)。有一位天人前來對我說:"我將坐在眾水上的大淫婦所要受的刑罰指給你看"(啟示錄17:1-2)。祂審判了那用淫行敗壞世界的大淫婦(啟示錄19:2)。
因為猶太民族歪曲聖言, 主稱之為"淫亂的世代"(馬太福音12:39; 16:4;馬可福音8:38)和"通姦者的種子"(以賽亞書57:3)。還有其它許多章節中, 行邪淫與妓女被理解成對聖言的玷污與歪曲, 例如耶利米書3:6, 8; 13:27;以西結書16:15-16, 26, 28-29, 32-33; 23:2-3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 17;何西阿書5:3; 6:10; 那鴻書3:4。
314. In the spiritual meaning, "committing adultery" refers to contaminating the good things taught by the Word and falsifying its truths. The fact that committing adultery refers to these things has not yet been known, because the Word's spiritual meaning has been hidden until now. In the following passages it is obvious, however, that "committing adultery," "being adulterous", and "being promiscuous" have no other meaning in the Word:
Run here and there through the streets of Jerusalem and see if you can find a man who makes judgment and seeks truth. When I fed them to the full, they became promiscuous. (Jeremiah 5:1, 7)
Among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen horrendous stubbornness, committing adultery and walking in a lie. (Jeremiah 23:14)
They have acted foolishly in Israel. They have been promiscuous, and have spoken my Word falsely. (Jeremiah 29:23)
They were promiscuous because they had abandoned Jehovah. (Hosea 4:10)
I will cut off the soul that looks off in the direction of sorcerers and soothsayers to be promiscuous with them. (Leviticus 20:6)
They are not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land; this is to prevent them from being promiscuous with other gods. (Exodus 34:15)
Because Babylon contaminates and falsifies the Word more than the rest do, it is called the great whore, and the following things are said of it in the Book of Revelation:
Babylon has made all the nations drink the wine of the wrath of her promiscuity. (Revelation 14:8)
The angel said, "I will show you the judgment of the great whore with whom the kings of the earth were promiscuous. " (Revelation 17:1-2)
He judged the great whore who had corrupted the earth with her promiscuity. (Revelation 19:2)
Because the Jewish nation had falsified the Word, the Lord called it "an adulterous generation" (Matthew 12:39; 16:4; Mark 8:38) and "the seed of an adulterer" (Isaiah 57:3). There are also many other passages where adultery and promiscuity mean contamination and falsification of the Word; for example, Jeremiah 3:6, 8; 13:27; Ezekiel 16:15-16, 26, 28-29, 32-33; 23:2-3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 16-17; Hosea 5:3; 6:10; Nahum 3:1, 3-4.
314. In the spiritual sense committing adultery means adulterating the various kinds of good in the Word and falsifying its truths. These meanings of committing adultery have until now been unknown, because the spiritual sense of the Word has until now been hidden. It is perfectly plain from the following passages that this and nothing else is meant in the Word by 'committing fornication, committing adultery, and whoring.'
Run up and down the streets of Jerusalem, and seek to find a man who acts righteously and seeks the truth; when I gave them plenty, they went after whores, Jeremiah 5:1, 7.
Among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen horrible obstinacy, in committing adultery and going about lying, Jeremiah 23:14.
They acted foolishly in Israel, they went after whores, and spoke my Word untruthfully, Jeremiah 29:23.
They went after whores, because they have abandoned Jehovah, Hosea 4:10.
I will cut off the soul which pays attention to soothsayers and fortunetellers, to go whoring after them, Leviticus 20:6.
No treaty is to be made with the inhabitants of the land, for fear the people should go whoring after their gods, Exodus 34:15.
Since Babylon stands pre-eminent in adulterating and falsifying the Word, that is why she is called the great prostitute, and the following things are said about her in Revelation:
Babylon has given all nations to drink from the wine of anger of her whoring, Revelation 14:8.
The angel said, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute, with whom the kings of the earth have gone whoring, Revelation 17:1-2.
He has judged the great prostitute, who corrupted the earth with her whoring, Revelation 19:2.
It was because the Jewish nation falsified the Word that it was called by the Lord 'an adulterous generation' (Matthew 12:39; 16:4; Mark 8:38) and 'the seed of an adulterer' (Isaiah 57:3). In many other passages too adulteries and whoring are to be understood as meaning adulteration and falsification of the Word: e.g, Jeremiah 3:6, 8; 13:27; Ezekiel 16:15-16, 26, 28-29, 32-33; 23:2-3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 17; Hosea 5:3; 6:10; Nahum 3:4.
314. In the spiritual sense, "to commit adultery" means to adulterate the goods of the Word and to falsify its truths. That "to commit adultery" means this also, has been hitherto unknown, because the spiritual sense of the Word has been hitherto concealed. That such is the meaning in the Word of "to commit adultery," "to adulterate," and "to commit whoredom" is evident from the following passages:
Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and seek if ye can find a man that executeth judgment, and seeketh the truth. When I had fed them to the full, they committed adultery (Jeremiah 5:1, 7).
In the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible stubbornness in adulterating and walking in a lie (Jeremiah 23:14).
They have wrought folly in Israel, and have committed whoredom, and have spoken My Word falsely (Jeremiah 29:23).
They committed whoredom, because they have left Jehovah (Hosea 4:10).
I will cut off the soul that turneth unto them that have familiar spirits and unto the wizards, to go a whoring after them (Leviticus 20:6).
A covenant shall not be made with the inhabitants of the land, lest they go a whoring after their gods (Exodus 34:16).
Because Babylon adulterates and falsifies the Word more than others, she is called the great harlot, and it is said of her in the Apocalypse:
Babylon hath given all nations to drink of the wine of the anger of her fornication (Revelation 14:8).
The angel said, I will show unto thee the judgment of the great harlot; with whom the kings of the earth committed whoredom (Revelation 17:1, 2).
For He hath judged the great harlot that corrupted the earth with her whoredom (Revelation 19:2).
Because the Jewish nation had falsified the Word, it was called by the Lord:
An adulterous generation (Matthew 12:39; 16:4; Mark 8:38); And the seed of the adulterer (Isaiah 57:3).
There are many other passages where "adulteries" and "whoredoms" mean adulterations and falsifications of the Word (as in Jeremiah 3:6, 8; 13:27; Ezekiel 16:15-16,, 26, 28, 29, 32, 33; 23:2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 123:14, 16, 17; Hosea 5:3; 6:10; Nahum 3:4).
314. In the spiritual sense, to commit adultery means to defile goods in the Word, and to falsify its truths. It has hitherto been unknown that this also is meant by committing adultery, because the spiritual sense of the Word has remained hidden; but that this is meant in the Word by committing adultery, fornication and whoredom, is plainly evident form these passages:
"Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem... and seek if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth... When I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery" Jeremiah 5:1, 7.
"I have also seen in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies" Jeremiah 23:14.
"They have committed villainy in Israel, and have committed adultery... and have spoken lying words in my name" Jeremiah 29:23.
"They committed (A.V., shall commit) whoredom... because they have left off to take heed to the Lord" Hosea 4:10.
I will cut off "the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them" Leviticus 20:6.
"Lest then make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods" Exodus 34:15.
Because Babylon above all others defiles and falsifies the Word, she is called the great whore, and it is said of her in the Revelation:
"She made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication" Revelation 14:8.
The angel said to John, "I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore... With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication" Revelation 17:1-2.
"He hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication" Revelation 19:2.
Because the Jewish nation had falsified the Word, it was called by the Lord:
"an adulterous generation" Matthew 12:39; 16:4; Mark 8:38;
and "the seed of the adulterer" Isaiah 57:3.
There are many other places in the Word, where by adulteries and whoredoms are meant defilement and falsification of the Word,
as in Jeremiah 3:6, 8; Jeremiah 13:27; Ezekiel 16:15-16, 26, 29, 32-33; 23:2-3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 17; Hosea 5:3; 6:10; Nahum 3:4.
314. In SENSU SPIRITUALI per Moechari, intelligitur adulterare bona Verbi, et falsificare vera ejus: quod haec etiam per Moechari intelligantur, hactenus ignotum fuit, quia Sensus spiritualis Verbi hactenus latuit; quod non aliud per Moechari, adulterari, et scortari in Verbo significetur, constat manifeste ex his locis, Discurrite per plateas Hierosolymae, et quaerite, si inveniatis virum, qui FACIT JUDICIUM, ET QUAERIT VERITATEM, cum saturavi eos, SCORTATI SUNT, Jeremias 5:1, 7. In Prophetis Hierosolymae vidi obfirmationem horrendam, ADULTERANDO ET EUNDO IN MENDACIO, Jeremias 23:14. Fecerunt stultitiam in Israele, SCORTATI SUNT, ET LOQUUTI SUNT VERBUM MEUM MENDACITER, Jeremias 29:23. SCORTABANTUR, quia Jehovam dereliquerunt, Hoschea 4:10. 1 Exscindam animam, quae respicit ad pythones et hariolos AD SCORTANDUM POST ILLOS, Leviticus 20:6. 2 Non pangendum est foedus cum habitatoribus terrae, ne SCORTENTUR POST DEOS illorum, Exodus 34:15. 3 Quoniam Babylon prae caeteris adulterat et falsificat Verbum, ideo illa vocatur MAGNA MERETRIX, et haec de illa dicuntur in Apocalypsi, Babylon a vino irae Scortationis suae potavit omnes Gentes, 14:8. Angelus dixit, monstrabo tibi judicium Meretricis magnae, cum qua scortati sunt Reges terrae, 17:1-2. Judicavit Meretricem magnam, quae corrupit terram scortatione sua, 19:2. Quoniam Gens Judaica falsificaverat Verbum, ideo illa a Domino vocata est GENERATIO ADULTERA, Matthaeus 12:39; 16:4, Marcus 8:38. Et SEMEN ADULTERI, Esaias 57:3. 4 Praeter multis aliis in locis, ubi per adulteria et scortationes intelliguntur adulterationes et falsificationes Verbi, ut Jeremias 3:6, 8; 13:27, Ezechiel 16:15-16, 26, 28-29, 32-33; 23:2-3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 17, 5 Hoschea 5:3; 6:10; Nahum 3:4. 6
Footnotes:
1. Prima editio: 7.
2. Prima editio: 5.
3. Prima editio: 3.
4. Prima editio: 56.
5. Prima editio: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 14, 16, 17.
6. Prima editio: Nahum 3:1, 3, 4.