Not Named Among Us | Ephesians Study

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)