Why did Adam allow Eve to eat the forbidden fruit?

[Goodboy]

Every once in a while two questions come up from people regarding Adam & Eve and Adam's actions, which does not seem to make sense. I am going to give you my opinion about what I believe that I think will make sense. However, this is just my opinion.

There are two main questions in the story that don't seem to make sense as listed below.
1) Why did Adam allow Eve to eat the forbidden fruit?
2) Why did Adam eat the forbidden fruit?

Both of these questions pertain to Adam because the Bible tells us why Eve ate the forbidden fruit, which is because she was deceived.
1 Timothy 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1 Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

So how do we resolve the fact that Adam who was not deceived did not stop stop Eve and later ate the fruit himself?

Well for what I am going to say to make sense I must first convince you that Adam loved Eve much more so than any man loves their wife today. Why do I say this is the case?

1) She was not just the only women, but the only one that could keep him from feeling alone.
Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

2) What does Adam say when he receives Eve?
Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Meaning she was a part of Adam just like our children are a part of us and how much do we love our children?

3) She was a perfect woman.
Look at how much a man can love a woman today and they are not even perfect.

Hopefully you agree with the points I listed showing why I believe Adam truly loved Eve more than men love their wives today. If not, then what I will say next will not be convincing.

Why did Adam allow Eve to eat the forbidden fruit?
He did not allow her to eat the forbidden fruit. This is just using logic. Would you let your wife eat some mushrooms if you knew they were poison? I hope not, so why would you think Adam would let Eve eat the forbidden fruit and die? I believe that Adam was unaware that Eve was eating the forbidden fruit. Now you may say that the Bible says that Adam was with Eve and you would be correct. However, there are two possibilities that can make this make sense.

1) The Bible does not say how close he was to her. For example, I might call up my friend and ask him where his wife is and he might reply she is here with me. I could then ask him is she right next to you and he might reply, no she is in the kitchen.

2) The Bible states that the serpent said to Eve, not Adam and Eve. This could mean the serpent did not speak audibly but to Eve's mind. Is that far fetched? Aren't Satan and his demons able to put thoughts in our heads today? Is that any more far fetched than a serpent speaking audibly, which is the only other possibility?

Why did Adam eat the forbidden fruit?
My simple answer is because he loved Eve so much he could not be without her. Whatever was going to happen to Eve he wanted to happen to him. This happens sometimes with married couples today. The one that is left alive no longer wants to live without their spouse and kills themselves.

The story of Adam & Eve kind of brings us to some observations.
1) There is no good excuse to disobey God! An explanation of what motivated you sure, but an excuse no.

2) Eve and all women are more likely to be deceived by their strong emotions than men.
1 Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Timothy 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1 Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

3) Adam and all men have a weakness for women because of their strong attraction to women and may do things that are not at all logical. Just use Samson as an example and of course many men today, even myself. Love for a woman has made me do some crazy things.

So my statements above are my answers to the questions regarding Adam's actions. Could I be wrong? Sure, but I would be interested in a better explanation for why Adam acted as he did that is logical and makes sense.

Note: This is not something that needs to be debated or argued about. I am just curious as to what others think.

Goodboy!

 

[Work4Peanuts]

Whoa. Deja vu!

 

[mattfivefour]

Deja vu indeed! I can think of at least for other threads where this topic was already discussed: "Why did Adam permit Eve to eat the forbidden fruit", "Are men better than women", and "Logic vs Emotions" ... all of which are in Bible Studies. And again in "The Purpose Of This Mortal Life" in Anything Goes. This thread will make the fifth!

 

[Goodboy]

True... True... Just looking for another answer to the questions that makes logical sense. If there is one, I would like to know what it is. I am not claiming that there is not a better answer, just want to know what that answer would be. It would be good in my opinion anyway if we could come to a consensus and have a good answer for anyone that asks us that question.

Also, please feel free to move this to anything goes, if you feel that is where it belongs.

 

[Kaatje]

@Goodboy, your OP made me think of that intruiging story as written in 1 Kings 13.

A man of God came from Judah to Bethel to curse King Jeroboam's altar.
And God warned the prophet to not eat or drink in Bethel, but return home via another way.
The man of God refuses to eat with Jeroboam and leaves Bethel for home via another route.

Then a fellow prophet comes to him and sways him to come home with him, eat and stay the night.
Because God told the other fellow via an angel "it would be all right to do that".
But the second prophet was lying.
God had not said that, and the man of Judah paid with his life for his transgression.

Why did the man of God from Judah listen to the second prophet?
When God specifically told him how to proceed?
Was he tired? Did he really think God changed His mind?
Maybe it was just easier for him to take God's commandments lightly?
Like we all do, sometimes?

Hindsight is 20/20. He thought he could take the less difficult way.
If he had known the penalty, maybe he would have obeyed God?
And maybe Adam would have done too?
Death might have been an abstract notion for Adam, until he was confronted with it.
First the animals that were sacrificed to clothe him and Eve, and later Abel.

I don't know. But it could be.

(Btw, the story of the man of God and the prophet of Bethel ends as intriguing as it started.
Just read it in 2 Kings 23)

 

[Goodboy]

Deja vu indeed! I can think of at least for other threads where this topic was already discussed: "Why did Adam permit Eve to eat the forbidden fruit", "Are men better than women", and "Logic vs Emotions" ... all of which are in Bible Studies. And again in "The Purpose Of This Mortal Life" in Anything Goes. This thread will make the fifth!

Wow!!! Someone has a very good memory!!! I forgot all about "The Purpose Of This Mortal Life" from way back in January. While I am younger than you are, I guess my brain has not aged as well as yours! I am impressed!

God Bless!

 

[Goodboy]

And maybe Adam would have done too?
Death might have been an abstract notion for Adam, until he was confronted with it.
First the animals that were sacrificed to clothe him and Eve, and later Abel.

I don't know. But it could be.

Good point, but to me when the Bible says that Adam was not deceived, he knew just what he was getting into. Just my opinion though.

Either way Adam obeyed Eve rather than God. In my 30 year marriage without realizing it, I put my wife above God in terms of who I put my efforts into and served. She became an idol for me.

Thanks for the response and letting me know of the story in 1 Kings 13 as I have never read that!

 

[mattfivefour]

Why did the man of God from Judah listen to the second prophet?
When God specifically told him how to proceed?
Was he tired? Did he really think God changed His mind?
Maybe it was just easier for him to take God's commandments lightly?
Like we all do, sometimes?

It is sometimes easier to be swayed by man's present voice today than by God's distant voice yesterday. I know that when pastors get together it is easy to be swayed by a teaching of another respected pastor when he gives it emphatically. It surely must have been as easy for an Old Testament prophet to trust the words of another prophet as it is today for a pastor to trust the words of another pastor.

 

[Cheeky200386]

Every once in a while two questions come up from people regarding Adam & Eve and Adam's actions, which does not seem to make sense. I am going to give you my opinion about what I believe that I think will make sense. However, this is just my opinion.

There are two main questions in the story that don't seem to make sense as listed below.
1) Why did Adam allow Eve to eat the forbidden fruit?
2) Why did Adam eat the forbidden fruit?

Both of these questions pertain to Adam because the Bible tells us why Eve ate the forbidden fruit, which is because she was deceived.
1 Timothy 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1 Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

So how do we resolve the fact that Adam who was not deceived did not stop stop Eve and later ate the fruit himself?

Well for what I am going to say to make sense I must first convince you that Adam loved Eve much more so than any man loves their wife today. Why do I say this is the case?

1) She was not just the only women, but the only one that could keep him from feeling alone.
Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

2) What does Adam say when he receives Eve?
Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Meaning she was a part of Adam just like our children are a part of us and how much do we love our children?

3) She was a perfect woman.
Look at how much a man can love a woman today and they are not even perfect.

Hopefully you agree with the points I listed showing why I believe Adam truly loved Eve more than men love their wives today. If not, then what I will say next will not be convincing.

Why did Adam allow Eve to eat the forbidden fruit?
He did not allow her to eat the forbidden fruit. This is just using logic. Would you let your wife eat some mushrooms if you knew they were poison? I hope not, so why would you think Adam would let Eve eat the forbidden fruit and die? I believe that Adam was unaware that Eve was eating the forbidden fruit. Now you may say that the Bible says that Adam was with Eve and you would be correct. However, there are two possibilities that can make this make sense.

1) The Bible does not say how close he was to her. For example, I might call up my friend and ask him where his wife is and he might reply she is here with me. I could then ask him is she right next to you and he might reply, no she is in the kitchen.

2) The Bible states that the serpent said to Eve, not Adam and Eve. This could mean the serpent did not speak audibly but to Eve's mind. Is that far fetched? Aren't Satan and his demons able to put thoughts in our heads today? Is that any more far fetched than a serpent speaking audibly, which is the only other possibility?

Why did Adam eat the forbidden fruit?
My simple answer is because he loved Eve so much he could not be without her. Whatever was going to happen to Eve he wanted to happen to him. This happens sometimes with married couples today. The one that is left alive no longer wants to live without their spouse and kills themselves.

The story of Adam & Eve kind of brings us to some observations.
1) There is no good excuse to disobey God! An explanation of what motivated you sure, but an excuse no.

2) Eve and all women are more likely to be deceived by their strong emotions than men.
1 Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Timothy 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1 Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

3) Adam and all men have a weakness for women because of their strong attraction to women and may do things that are not at all logical. Just use Samson as an example and of course many men today, even myself. Love for a woman has made me do some crazy things.

So my statements above are my answers to the questions regarding Adam's actions. Could I be wrong? Sure, but I would be interested in a better explanation for why Adam acted as he did that is logical and makes sense.

Note: This is not something that needs to be debated or argued about. I am just curious as to what others think.

Goodboy!

This was a super interesting post. I can see your view and it makes a lot of sense.

 

[Andy C]

Come on now, has anyone seriously considered that Eve had not yet learned to cook, and Adam was simply hungry, and ate the first meal she offered him……..

Sorry, humor is excellent medicine for the brain.

 

[Eric Nicholas]

Are men better than women

The short and humble answer is: One hundred percent no doubt about it, it's not even close, nay, it's not even close to being close, I couldn't think of an easier question to answer than that! Sooooo...Yes! Yes they are!

And I shan't derail any further. Ta!

 

[Work4Peanuts]

And this is how these threads always devolve.

 

[Hol]

Most of us are aware of the term ‘low view of Scripture.’ As an example R. Catholics are not big on reading their Bibles, but their loyalty is to religion.

In a fully biblical love, Adam would have first loved/obeyed God.

If Adam so ‘loved’ Eve that he disobeyed God, I’ll suggest that you have a low view of love.

 

[Goodboy]

If Adam so ‘loved’ Eve that he disobeyed God, I’ll suggest that you have a low view of love.

You say it was not love for Eve that motivated Adam. That is your opinion which is fine. However, then the question becomes what do you say motivated Adam to eat the forbidden fruit.

As I stated, I am interested in other possible reasons.

 

[Goodboy]

But going by Hol's point, how is that the bibles definition of love.

I guess we could call Adam and Eve, Romeo and Juliet if one was to insist this is what it relates to.

Rather than spending time trying to debunk my theory as to why Adam ate the fruit. Would you please do as I have kindly asked and tell me why you think Adam ate the fruit, which is the purpose of this thread?

 

[Amethyst]

Rather than spending time trying to debunk my theory as to why Adam ate the fruit. Would you please do as I have kindly asked and tell me why you think Adam ate the fruit, which is the purpose of this thread?

I was not really responding to your topic, only responding to Hol's post about love. Sorry for the confusion.

eta; idk why Adam ate the fruit. I could wonder all day, why didn't he just intercede for Eve to God? Surely he would have known God would forgive her. Maybe not.

 

[Goodboy]

The point I was making is that God himself (through narration) says that Amnon 'loved' Tamar.
Something I will never understand in light of His teachings in the gospels.
But clearly, scripture states it plain as day that it was love.

Again I will say the point of this thread is to discuss why we think that Adam ate the forbidden fruit. I gave my opinion, I am interested in yours.

 

[Hol]

You say it was not love for Eve that motivated Adam. That is your opinion which is fine. However, then the question becomes what do you say motivated Adam to eat the forbidden fruit.

As I stated, I am interested in other possible reasons.

Thanks for asking!

When I am of a disobedient attitude I am unsubmissive and selfish. When I am humbling myself to obey, I am listening and trusting God.

Only if Adam was putting God’s will ahead of his own was he truly loving Eve.

It seems he was in selfish mode and wanted to explore how being independent of God by eating the fruit would make him a god.

 

[Goodboy]

I was not really responding to your topic, only responding to Hol's post about love. Sorry for the confusion.

No problem. I am glad we agree about that at least.

God Bless!

 

[Goodboy]

Thanks for asking!

When I am of a disobedient attitude I am unsubmissive and selfish. When I am humbling myself to obey, I am listening and trusting God.

Only if Adam was putting God’s will ahead of his own was he truly loving Eve.

It seems he was in selfish mode and wanted to explore how being independent of God by eating the fruit would make him a god.

Thanks for your thoughts.

There are two points I will make. The first is we cannot compare Adam to ourselves as Adam was perfect and did not have a sin nature. The second is you are stating that Adam was not only interested in being like God but was also interested in dying. Adam had to know that death was a bad thing or else why would God use that as a warning? Also, Eve knew that death was a bad thing, which is why the serpant had to tell her she would not die.

Just letting you know why your theory does not work for me, but again thanks for sharing it!