Sins Not Once Named Among You Ephesians 5:3

Paul the apostle desired for the Ephesian believers to “follow” God and “walk in love” even as “Christ has loved us”. This behavior would be a “sweet-smelling savor” and as a “sacrifice” unto God, and in chapter five and verse three of his letter, Paul gave specific “sins” that were never to be “named among” them. We read:

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,

let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;

The verse begins, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,...” Paul began with the word “But” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was previously stated, “moreover, nonetheless or nevertheless”, “fornication” which is the Greek word “porneia” and literally means “illicit sexual intercourse, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals and close relatives” and metaphorically means “the worship of idols” “and all uncleanness” which refers to “the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living of impure morals”, “or covetousness” which means “greedy desire to have more or avarice”. Paul began with a sinful list of behaviors that should not be exhibited in the lives of the Ephesian Christians.

The verse goes on to say, “...let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;” Paul added, “let it not be once named” which is the Greek phrase “onomazō mēde onomazō” or “never to name, utter, make mention or bear the name” “among you” which refers to the Ephesian church members, “as becomes saints” which means “stand out, conspicuous, eminent, seemly and fitting for the most holy, sacred, blameless or religiously and ceremonially consecrated”. The sinful behaviors Paul shared with the Ephesians were never to be “named” among them because they were to be the consecrated, pure and holy “saints” of God.

When we think through Paul's words, we may find these to be great challenges in our society today. People are prone to these horrific behaviors, and with the influx of available “pornographic” (the root of this word is porneia) material through printed media and the internet, there is more and more temptation to fall into all these areas. As Christians, we must strive to “let it not be once named among” us, as the world is watching our actions, and should we fall into “greediness” and illicit behaviors, we will bring reproach to the name of Jesus Christ. May God Almighty through the Holy Spirit help us to keep away from these sins, and may we be “the saints” of Jesus Christ as He desires.

Next time Paul tells the Ephesians not to be involved with “filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient:”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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