FORNICATION Unchastity,
sexual immorality. The word “fornication” is used in the Scriptures to mean
several different things.
Its general meaning refers to every kind of illegal
sexual intercourse, that is, any intercourse except that between a husband
and wife. For example, in 1 Corinthians 5:1 (kjv)
the word is used twice to refer to a sin that was being tolerated by the
church: a man apparently was cohabitating with his stepmother. In a list of
terrible sins in Romans 1:29, the apostle Paul included fornication,
apparently intending the term to mean all acts of sexual immorality (kjv).
In 1 Corinthians the context suggests that Paul used the word in reference
to all sorts of illicit sexual activity (6:13, 18). In 1 Corinthians 7:2 (kjv)
Paul used the plural Greek word for “fornications” to imply the various ways
in which the sin may manifest itself. He thus gave a reason why people in
Corinth should marry and live together properly. One of the sins included in
the word’s general sense is adultery.
“Fornication” also has a more limited sense of immoral
sexual activity between unmarried people. Such a meaning is implied in those
biblical lists where both fornication and adultery come together. Jesus’
list of the defiling sins that proceed out of a person’s heart includes
“fornication” and “adultery” (Mt 15:19; Mk 7:21). Paul’s list of those
sinners who will not inherit the kingdom of God also contains both
fornicators and adulterers (1 Cor 6:9,
kjv).
“Fornication” in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 (as translated by
the kjv) is usually taken by
biblical students today to refer specifically to adultery (see
nlt). The translation of
porneia
has to do with interpretation rather than translation. Scholars disagree as
to whether Jesus’ exceptive phrase relative to divorce has to do with
fornication in a general or limited sense. He might have meant adultery
alone, or he might have been including it generally with other sexual sins.
A figurative use of the word “fornication” appears in
both the OT and NT. Originating in descriptions of Israel and the church as
the Lord’s wife or the bride, apostasy from God and idolatry are called
fornication (see, e.g., Jer 2). Ezekiel 16 uses unfaithfulness to marriage
vows as a symbol of Jerusalem’s wayward relationship with God. Jerusalem had
become an “unfaithful wife” to him. The first three chapters of Hosea use
the relationship of the prophet Hosea and his unfaithful wife, Gomer, as an
illustration of how the nation of Israel had become guilty of fornication
against its “husband,” the Lord, by going after other gods. In the book of
Revelation the figurative use of “fornication” and “impure passion” is
ascribed to Babylon the great, the mother of harlots (Rv 14:8; 17:2–4; 18:3;
19:2).
nlt
New Living Translation
Elwell, Walter A. ; Comfort, Philip
Wesley: Tyndale Bible Dictionary. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale
House Publishers, 2001 (Tyndale Reference Library), S. 497