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I’ve read this verse for years. . .
But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints (Ephesians 5:3, NASB).
Rather, I’ve read this verse too quickly. The Apostle Paul writes that sexually immoral, impure, and greed topics shouldn’t even be mentioned among believers.
I agree.
But I’ve never taken the time to dissect the Greek language to find out exactly what the words mean.
Let’s examine the verse now. . .
Sexual immorality. The Greek word is “porneia,” from which we get the English word “pornography.” Porneia defines sexual relationships outside the confines of Biblically defined marriage.
Impurity. The Greek word for “impurity” means “unclean.” The word takes “porneia” a couple of steps forward to include aberrant or shocking sexual sin. Our culture has taken the “aberrant” sexual sin so far down the path of sensuality that nothing seems to shock anymore.
Greed. An interesting word usage by Paul: what does greed have to do with sexual immorality and impurity? The word for “greed” in the Greek is “pleonexia,” which can be translated as “desiring more and more.” What happens with sexual sin — we can’t get enough, an unquenchable downward path.
According to the Bible, a sizable percentage of conversations, posts, reels, and short videos on social media wouldn’t be appropriate. Paul goes further in the next verse. . .
There must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks (Ephesians 5:4).
In this verse, “filthiness” is a summation word including the sexually immoral, impure, and unquenchable lust from Ephesians 5:3. We get the English word “moron” from the Greek word for “foolish” and “vulgar joking” indicating conversation so immune from Biblical values that sins are taken lightly.
Here is the Old Guy Version (OGV) of Ephesians 5:4:
Let’s not be stupid by laughing at God’s holiness, instead, let’s give thanks to our God, who protects us from lustful and addictive behavior.
These two verses (3-4) of Ephesians 5 were written to Christians living in secular culture. One commentary says. . .
In the Greco-Roman world, sexual immorality was prevalent and often accepted as part of daily life, including practices such as temple prostitution and extramarital affairs. The early Christian community, however, was called to a higher standard of sexual purity, reflecting the holiness of God.
In the first century, followers of Jesus could live without contamination from the sexual indulgences of that age (though arguably it’s worse today) with the power of God’s Spirit. We can anticipate deliverance from degrading thoughts and actions through the same Spirit.
As Paul continues in Ephesians 5. . .
It is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret (Ephesians 5:12).
Do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:18-19).
Let’s be filled with God’s Spirit!