Ephesians 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or
covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Fornication - NT:4202 porneia (por-ni'-ah); from NT:4203;
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry:
Uncleanness - NT:167 akatharsia (ak-ath-ar-see'-ah); from
NT:169; impurity (the quality), physically or morally:
Covetousness -NT:4124 pleonexia (pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah); from
NT:4123; avarice, i.e. (by implication) fraudulency, extortion:
For the saints (i.e. born-again believers), these three
descriptions should never be tagged
onto us, ("So-and-so is _____"). Our life-style should be so pure
that it does not even fit that our names should be coupled with them.
It is interesting how each of these terms has a
double-meaning.
Fornication - physically immoral or spiritual idolatry
Uncleanness - physical impurity or moral impurity
Covetousness - greed for the world or (according to
Colossians 3:5) idolatry
Often, we disconnect the spiritual and physical, but here
it seems that God clearly connects them. Our spiritual testimony can easily be
destroyed by our physical lifestyle. If we say we are a Christian and yet our
life is ruled by sin (e.g. fornication, uncleanness, covetousness), will others
see a pure picture of Christ in our lives?
"Wherefore
come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the
unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye
shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these
promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2
Corinthians 6:16-7:1)
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