What Is Fornication?

mact said:

It is an act of the "Sinful" (NIV) or "Flesh" (NASB)
Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Immorality
[FONT=&quot]porneia[/FONT]
por-ni'-ah
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry: - fornication.
[FONT=&quot]porneuō[/FONT]
porn-yoo'-o
to act the harlot, that is, (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry: - commit (fornication).


Impurity
[FONT=&quot]akatharsia[/FONT]
ak-ath-ar-see'-ah
From G169; impurity (the quality), physically or morally: - uncleanness

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SoundCard said:

Well, I could try to get away with pointing out that the NIV translates it “…better for a man not to marry”, but the fact is that’s a poor translation because the Greek word used there, ’Haptomai’, actually does mean to physically touch. In fact it is the same word used when Jesus hugged the leper and when the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of the Lord’s garment. Interesting word…

The thing is you have to look at this statement in its broader context. To understand the bible properly as it is addressed to this day and time and to God’s born again children it is necessary to understand that this book, and in fact this whole section of Romans through Galatians, is what the word calls ‘milk’ or the basic principles we need to understand first when we are new, young believers. Back in chapter 3 we find this statement:

“1 Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal”

In these verses God points out that the Corinthian believers were ‘babes’ and even though they were saved they were still prone to hard hearted selfishness (envying, strife, divisions, bickering, etc.) and He relates this directly to their capacity to ‘bear’ or receive the ‘meat’ of His word, i.e.: the more advanced teachings of His word.

My point is this: Since the intended readers of this letter as well as this whole section (Rom-Gal) were new to the word of God and had not yet grown to maturity, many statements made throughout should be understood in the sense of “For the time being…”.

This is very obvious in 1 Cor 7 where we’re reading. Take a look at verse 1 again. It says “It is good for a man not to touch a woman”. Now I ask you, does that make any sense at all??? People, if a man didn’t touch a woman none of us would be here! How can that be ‘good’??? Well, it can be good ‘for the time being’ while you are young in the word.

Now, take a look at these verses: “1 Cor 7:27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned”. Once again you need to add the qualifier: ‘for the time being’ to get the understanding of what is really being said. Obviously it cannot mean that if someone who is divorced gets saved they are to remain divorced for the rest of their life. God is not stupid. It is saying just for now until you grow up into your maturity. Also note that this is more in the sense of loving suggestions than hard commands and it says if you don’t follow this it’s ok, God will still work in your life to make you grow and strengthen.

The place this is stated the most clearly is here in these verses: “32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.”

Do you see it? God is not saying never get married, never start a relationship; He is saying first it’s best to remain as you are, single is good, so you can put God first in your life and grow… THEN, when you have grown to maturity in walking with God, when you "...have your senses exercised to discern both good and evil - Heb 5:14" it is good to look into getting a wife and starting a family, NOT NOW. See it? I hope so, because it’s right there in the bible. Try reading this chapter now with that understanding and I think you will see what I mean.

Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

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