Sexual Immorality

Sexual Immorality (Gk. porneia) denotes a series of sexual behaviors that were largely tolerated in the Greco-Roman World while Hellenistic Jews and Christians labeled as unacceptable not only for Jews but also for God-fearers and baptized Gentiles.

Overview

Acts 15:20, 29; Acts 21:25 (that this meaning must be adopted in these passages will surprise no one who has learned from 1 Corinthians 6:12ff how leniently converts from among the heathen regarded this vice and how lightly they indulged in it; accordingly, all other interpretations of the term, such as of marriages within the prohibited degrees and the like, are to be rejected); Romans 1:29 Rec.; 1 Corinthians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 6:13, 18; 1 Corinthians 7:2; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Revelation 9:21; it is distinguished from μοιχεία in Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21; and Galatians 5:19 Rec.; used of adultery ((cf. Hosea 2:2 (4), etc.)), Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:9.

Sources

Acts 15:20.29 Acts 21:25

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 -- For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that you should abstain from fornication:

1 Corinthians (5:1-2) It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned, so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you? -- (6:9-10) Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, 10 thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers--none of these will inherit the kingdom of God. -- (6:13) The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. -- (6:18-19) 18 Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? -- 2 Corinthians (12:21):

Galatians (5:19)

Ephesians 5:3 -- But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;

Colossians (3:5)

Mark 7:21

Matthew 5:32 -- 15:19 -- 19:19

Revelation (2:21) -- (9:21) -- 14:8 -- 17:2 -- 18:3 -- 19:2