Ephesians Chapter 5, Verse 3
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3: πορνεια δε και πασα ακαθαρσια η πλεονεξια μηδε ονομαζεσθω εν υμιν καθως πρεπει αγιοις
3: But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it
not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
3: But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not so
much as be named among you, as becometh saints:
But fornication. A common vice among the heathen then as it is now, and one into which they were in special danger of falling. See "Rom 1:29"; See "1Cor 6:18".
And all uncleanness. Impurity of life. See "Rom 1:24". Comp. Rom 6:9 Gal 5:19 Eph 4:19 Col 3:5.
Or covetousness. The connexion in which this word is found is remarkable. It is associated with the lowest and most debasing vices, and this, as well as those vices, was not once to be named among them. What was Paul's estimate, then, of covetousness? He considered it as an odious and abominable vice; a vice to be regarded in the same light as the most gross sin, and as wholly to be abhorred by all who bore the Christian name. See Eph 5:5. The covetous man, according to Paul, is to be ranked with the sensual, and with idolaters, (Eph 5:5,) and with those who are entirely excluded from the kingdom of God.
Let it not be once named among you. That is, let it not exist; let there be no occasion for mentioning such a thing among you; let it be wholly unknown. This cannot mean that it is wrong to mention these vices for the purpose of rebuking them, or cautioning those in danger of committing them -- for Paul himself in this manner mentions them here, and frequently elsewhere -- but that they should not exist among them.
As becometh saints. As befits the character of Christians, who are regarded as holy. Literally, "as becometh holy ones" -- agioiv.
