Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "And had it not been for the favour of Allah upon you and His mercy in this world and the Hereafter" [Surah An-Nur: 14]: meaning had Allah not shown you kindness and concealed your faults, "you would have been touched, because of what you indulged in": meaning because of this lie, "by a great punishment" [Surah An-Nur: 14]: meaning a punishment that would never cease.
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الكبير للطبراني / مسند النساء / 19497