Ephesians 5 3

Ephesians 5:3 kjv

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Ephesians 5:3 nkjv

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;

Ephesians 5:3 niv

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

Ephesians 5:3 esv

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Ephesians 5:3 nlt

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people.

Ephesians 5 verses

Ephesians 5 3 meaning

Ephesians 5:3 lays down a strong ethical imperative for believers, asserting that sexual immorality (fornication), any form of impurity, and greedy desire (covetousness) are so contrary to the nature of those set apart for God that they should not even be mentioned as occurring within the Christian community. This proscription underscores a call to radical holiness and moral distinction, which is inherently fitting and expected of "saints," a term for all believers called to live consecrated lives.

Ephesians 5 3 Context

Ephesians 5:3 is part of Paul's practical exhortation to believers in Ephesus, following his theological treatise in chapters 1-3. Chapter 4 marks a turning point where he urges them to "walk worthy of the calling" they have received (Eph 4:1). This includes putting off the "old self" and putting on the "new self" (Eph 4:22-24). The verses leading up to 5:3 call believers to abandon former Gentile ways of life characterized by "impurity" (Eph 4:19) and to imitate God as beloved children, walking in love (Eph 5:1-2). Thus, verse 3 presents a stark contrast to the expected Christian lifestyle, emphasizing that specific pagan vices must not be associated with those who claim Christ.Historically and culturally, Ephesus was a thriving Roman city, a center of trade and worship, including the veneration of Artemis. Pagan society often tolerated and sometimes integrated various forms of sexual immorality and materialistic pursuits within their religious practices and daily life. Prostitution was common, and covetousness was celebrated in the pursuit of wealth and status. Paul's emphatic proscription stands in direct polemic against the prevailing societal norms, demanding a distinct, consecrated lifestyle from the Christian community that would shine as light in such a dark cultural environment.

Ephesians 5 3 Word analysis

• But (δὲ - de): Functions as a mild adversative conjunction, indicating a transition from the positive command to "walk in love" (Eph 5:2) to the negative prohibitions that define this love. It introduces a contrast.

• fornication (πορνεία - porneia): This is a broad Greek term for all kinds of sexual immorality. It encompasses not just prostitution, but premarital sex, adultery, incest, homosexuality, bestiality, and other illicit sexual acts. In biblical thought, it stands against the sanctity of marriage and God's design for sexual expression within its bounds.

• and all (πᾶσα - pasa): "All" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the impurity to be avoided. It means "every kind" or "without exception."

• uncleanness (ἀκαθαρσία - akatharsia): Refers to moral or spiritual impurity, defilement. It's broader than porneia and includes not only impure sexual acts but also impure thoughts, words, and habits that are contrary to holiness. It suggests an inner state that manifests in outward unholy behavior.

• or (ἢ - ē): Introduces the next vice, perhaps indicating it as another category alongside the sexual/moral impurity or as an equally grave offense.

• covetousness (πλεονεξία - pleonexia): Literally "to have more," it signifies an insatiable desire for more possessions, wealth, status, or power, at the expense of others or of spiritual health. It is often equated with idolatry because it replaces God with a desire for earthly things (Col 3:5, Eph 5:5). It’s a selfish, grasping attitude that shows a lack of contentment in God's provision.

• let it not even be named (μηδὲ ὀνομαζέσθω - mēde onomazesthō): This is a strong, emphatic negative command. Mēde means "not even," highlighting the extreme aversion. Onomazesthō is a present passive imperative, meaning "let it not continue to be named." The passive voice implies it should not be spoken of, or identified, among you as if it were an active part of the Christian community. It goes beyond merely not practicing these sins to the point where they are so utterly absent that there isn't even cause to speak of them among believers. It’s not about censoring words, but eliminating the presence of the vices themselves.

• among you (ἐν ὑμῖν - en hymin): Specifically targets the believing community. This radical moral purity is expected within the church, setting it apart from the surrounding culture.

• as is fitting (πρέπον - prepon): Implies what is suitable, appropriate, proper, or decorous. It suggests that such a moral standard is not arbitrary but inherently aligns with the character and calling of those who are truly saints. It describes an internal congruence rather than merely an external rule.

• for saints (ἁγίοις - hagiois): "Saints" here refers to all believers in Christ, those set apart and consecrated by God. Their identity in Christ implies a corresponding lifestyle of holiness, as they are called to reflect God's character.

• "fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness": This grouping identifies a critical cluster of vices that define ungodliness. While porneia and akatharsia often go hand-in-hand regarding sexual and general moral impurity, pleonexia (covetousness) might seem distinct but is profoundly linked, both as a consuming lust that mirrors sexual appetite and often as an idolatrous pursuit of created things over the Creator. These are presented as fundamentally incompatible with a life in Christ.

• "let it not even be named among you": This phrase denotes a profound and radical moral purity within the Christian community. It's not just a prohibition against practicing these sins but also an aspiration for a community so untainted that these vices are not found, much less talked about as active issues among them. It emphasizes collective purity and a counter-cultural identity.

• "as is fitting for saints": This expresses the rationale behind the prohibitions. The called-out people of God (saints) have a new identity and purpose. Their behavior should naturally align with this divine identity and be congruent with their holy calling. It grounds the ethical demands in theological truth.

Ephesians 5 3 Bonus section

The intensity of the prohibition "not even be named" reflects the serious and often destructive nature of these sins within any community. The juxtaposition of sexual impurity with covetousness underscores a common spiritual principle in Paul's writings: both represent a distortion of proper desire, seeking gratification from creation rather than the Creator. Covetousness is even elevated to the level of "idolatry" in Col 3:5 and Eph 5:5 because it puts an object or desire in the place of God. The passive imperative form onomazesthō (let it be named) implies a responsibility for the entire community to maintain a moral atmosphere where these things do not find expression, rather than just an individual obligation. This suggests a communal standard-bearing and an environment of mutual accountability and purity.

Ephesians 5 3 Commentary

Ephesians 5:3 succinctly delivers a foundational ethical principle for believers: a complete rejection of sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness. Paul uses powerful language, demanding that these vices not only be avoided in practice but also "not even be named" within the Christian community, indicating a profound and pervasive absence of such sins. This level of purity serves as a distinct counter-cultural witness in a world often saturated with these very behaviors, exemplified by ancient Greco-Roman society. The imperative stems directly from the identity of believers as "saints"—those set apart by God for holy living—making such conduct inherently "fitting" for them. These prohibitions are not arbitrary rules but an expression of the transformed nature and new spiritual DNA received in Christ, urging a consistent walk in line with one's divine calling and adopted sonship. This verse challenges believers to not merely abstain from visible acts but to cultivate an inner purity of heart that leaves no room for such desires or actions.

• Example 1: A church where gossiping about others' marital problems (fornication) or discussing strategies for unethical business gain (covetousness) is a common topic would be acting contrary to "not even named among you."
• Example 2: A Christian individual actively indulging in impure content online (uncleanness) or driven by an insatiable desire for possessions (covetousness) fails to live "as is fitting for saints."