"But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;" - Ephesians 5:3 (NASB)
In verse 3 of Ephesians chapter 5, The apostle Paul continues his exhortation by advising against various vices that are unbecoming of the dear children and followers of God. These vices should be avoided out of love for Christ. He begins with immorality or “Porneia”. The Greek term “Porneia” is where we get the English word pornography”. It also refers to a wide range of sexual sins like sexual immorality (cf. Matt. 21:31-32; Mark 7:21; Acts 15:20, 29), adultery (cf. Matt. 5:32; 19:9), incest (cf. 1 Cor. 5:1), and lewdness (cf. Rom. 1:29). But when used more narrowly, it seems to mean prostitution or incest. In the Old Testament, the terms “adultery” and “fornication” were clearly distinguished. “Adultery” involved one party being married, while “fornication” referred to pre-marital sexual activity. However, in New Testament Greek, this distinction is lost, and both terms encompass inappropriate sexual activity of any kind, including extra-marital, pre-marital, homosexual, or bestial behavior. In the Greco-Roman world, sexual activity outside marriage was generally accepted, with men being allowed to frequent prostitutes, while women had to confine themselves to their husbands. However, Paul places restrictions on such behavior, particularly male behavior, which was otherwise seen as acceptable. He emphasizes that certain behaviors should not even be mentioned, let alone practiced, by Christians, and points to the existence of standards that separate the pure and holy community from the outside world.
The term “any impurity” comes from the Greek word for “clean” with the Alpha Privative1, indicating impure, unchaste, and ungodly interactions and contact, as well as solitary uncleanness. These three terms, “immorality, impurity, and greed,” are all related to the activities of the false teachers (cf. 2 Tim. 3:6) and the pagan culture from which the converts had come. “Greed” refers to an insatiable “more and more for me at any cost” attitude (cf. 4:19). In the pagan culture, sexual activity was often associated with pagan worship, and these terms reflect the moral challenges faced by the early Christians in their societal context.
“Greed” conveys the idea of “more and more for me at any cost.” Since it is in a list of sexual sins, it likely relates to self-centered sexual exploitation (cf. Col. 3:5).
The phrase “Even be named among you” is a Present Passive Imperative with a negative particle2, emphasizing the urgent need to stop engaging in sinful behavior. These sins were occurring within the church community. Believers are urged to actively guard against committing these sins and to be vigilant against any rumors or suspicions of sinful behavior (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:22). It is essential not only to proclaim the gospel but also to demonstrate it through our actions.
“is proper among saints” This is parallel to “which are not fitting” in Eph. 5:4. Believers should abstain from the vices mentioned, as befits those who are considered holy. These vices should not even be spoken of, let alone defended or taken pleasure in. This is how those who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ’s blood, and sanctified by the Spirit should conduct themselves. They are to live in accordance with the Gospel of Christ and hold a special place in God’s house.
In conclusion, the Old and New Testaments strongly oppose all forms of immorality. The original meanings of terms like fornication (pre-marital sex) and adultery (extra-marital sex) have been lost, and they are now simply referred to as general sexual impropriety. Our mainstream media, especially social media, inundate us with songs, soap operas, and movies that influence young minds into believing that premarital or extramarital sex is the norm, the trendy thing for the new generation. I want to express that this is unhealthy and corrupts our society. New Testament passages such as 1 Corinthians 6:15-20 and Galatians 5:19-21 address the sins of the flesh, which are in direct contrast to the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22. Particularly, there is an injunction in Hebrews 13:4 to honor the marriage bed and not violate it. Sexuality can become a means of using people as objects, whether within or outside of marriage, reflecting man’s self-centered nature that turns everything into his own pleasure.
The biblical guideline advocates for long-term intimacy with one person of the opposite sex within the context of marriage. I want to emphasize that it doesn’t become boring or repetitive. Sex gets better and better with a long-term commitment. This may be surprising, but it’s true. Sexuality is God’s invention, given for more than just procreation. It is for pleasure, mutual self-giving, emotional well-being, and fulfilling our physical needs.
Paul emphasizes, God’s wrath is not merely a future punishment, but a natural consequence of straying from the inherent order of creation. Therefore, sexual misconduct carries its own repercussions, disrupting the harmony intended by the Creator (vs. 5).
Below is a list of practical tips on how Christians (especially the youth) can be the kind of Christians God has called them to be – the salt and light of this fallen world:
- Study and understand the biblical guidelines on sexual morality.
- Reflect on your beliefs and attitudes towards sexuality.
- Cultivate healthy and respectful relationships.
- Surround yourself with a supportive community for accountability.
- Be mindful of the media you consume and its influence on your views on sexuality.
- Educate yourself and others on the biblical perspective on sexuality.
- Invest in building strong, committed relationships.
- Seek support if you struggle with maintaining sexual purity.
- Work on personal growth and character development.
- Engage in prayer and regular reflection on your thoughts and actions.
- Alpha privative is a linguistic term used to describe the use of the Greek letter alpha (α) as a prefix to negate or reverse the meaning of a word. It is commonly seen in words derived from ancient Greek, where the addition of “alpha privative” changes the word’s meaning to indicate the absence or opposite of the original concept. An example of this is the English word “atheist,” derived from the Greek “atheos,” where “a-” negates the concept of theism, resulting in a meaning of “without gods” or “denial of gods.” This linguistic device is a key element in the formation of many words in various languages. ↩︎
- “Present Passive Imperative with a negative particle” refers to a verb form used to give a command in the present tense, passive voice, and with a negative particle. This form is used to instruct someone not to perform a specific action in a passive voice context. ↩︎
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