Given the context, this word is not to direct our thoughts to those who sin against the seventh commandment. In step with the term’s frequent use elsewhere in Scripture, the reference is to those who claim allegiance to Jesus Christ (as divine Husband) yet in moments of pressure seek solace and strength from the Lord’s “competition.” The term describes, then, sin against the first commandment. See Jeremiah 3:8–10.
8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”