Ephesians 5:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G2532} fornication {G4202}, and {G1161} all {G3956} uncleanness {G167}, or {G2228} covetousness {G4124}, let it {G3687} not be once {G3366} named {G3687} among {G1722} you {G5213}, as {G2531} becometh {G4241} saints {G40};

Complete Jewish Bible

Among you there should not even be mentioned sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or greed; these are utterly inappropriate for God’s holy people.

Berean Standard Bible

But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 5:3 issues a stringent command to believers, prohibiting all forms of sexual immorality, moral impurity, and greed. Paul insists that such vices should not even be spoken of among the saints, underscoring their absolute incompatibility with the new, holy identity Christians possess in Christ and the pure conduct expected of those set apart for God. This verse serves as a powerful call to radical purity and a distinct counter-cultural lifestyle, reflecting the transforming power of the Gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the "practical" section of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, specifically following his exhortation in [Ephesians 4:17-32](/ephesians/4-17-32 "Ephesians 4:17-32 - Living as New Creations") for believers to "walk not as other Gentiles walk." Chapter 5 opens with a call to imitate God as beloved children, walking in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us ([Ephesians 5:1-2](/ephesians/5-1-2 "Ephesians 5:1-2 - Imitating God and Walking in Love")). Verse 3 then immediately provides a stark contrast, listing specific behaviors that are antithetical to this divine imitation and loving walk. It sets the stage for further instructions on light and darkness, wisdom, and Spirit-filled living that follow in [Ephesians 5:4-21](/ephesians/5-4-21 "Ephesians 5:4-21 - Walking in Light and Wisdom").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Ephesus was a major metropolitan center in the Roman province of Asia, renowned for its wealth, trade, and diverse religious practices. It was home to the massive Temple of Artemis (Diana), a center of pagan worship often associated with fertility cults and temple prostitution, contributing to a pervasive atmosphere of sexual immorality. Greed and covetousness were also rampant in a commercial hub like Ephesus. Paul's audience, comprised of both Jewish and Gentile converts, had largely come out of this pagan environment. Therefore, the strong prohibitions in [Ephesians 5:3](/ephesians/5-3 "Ephesians 5:3 - Purity for Saints") directly confront the prevalent cultural norms, urging believers to radically differentiate themselves from their former way of life and the surrounding society.
* **Key Themes:** Ephesians 5:3 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes found throughout the letter. The primary theme is **holiness and purity**, emphasizing that believers are "saints" ([Ephesians 1:1](/ephesians/1-1 "Ephesians 1:1 - Paul's Greeting and the Saints in Ephesus")), set apart for God, and therefore called to live lives that reflect this sacred status. This connects to the theme of **new identity in Christ**, where believers are no longer defined by their past sins but by their union with Christ, which demands a transformed lifestyle ([Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22-24 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting Off the Old Self and Putting On the New")). Furthermore, the explicit rejection of covetousness highlights the theme of **idolatry**, as Paul elsewhere equates greed with serving idols ([Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things")). The verse also contributes to the theme of **distinction from the world**, as the church is called to be a counter-cultural community that shines as light in darkness ([Ephesians 5:8](/ephesians/5-8 "Ephesians 5:8 - Walk as Children of Light")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fornication (Greek, _porneía'_):** From G4202, this term broadly encompasses all illicit sexual intercourse, including adultery, prostitution, premarital sex, and other forms of sexual immorality. It signifies any sexual activity outside the bounds of a covenantal marriage between one man and one woman, reflecting a comprehensive rejection of God's design for human sexuality.
* **Uncleanness (Greek, _akatharsía'_):** From G167, this word denotes impurity, both physically and morally. While often linked with sexual sin, it extends to any defiling practice or state of mind that renders a person morally impure or ceremonially unclean in God's sight. It speaks to a general state of moral defilement that is anathema to God's holiness.
* **Covetousness (Greek, _pleonexía'_):** From G4124, this term means avarice, an insatiable desire for more, often leading to fraudulence or extortion. Paul frequently links this vice to idolatry, as it represents a heart that places material possessions or worldly gain above God, effectively making an idol of creation rather than the Creator.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,"**: This opening phrase immediately identifies three categories of sin that are utterly incompatible with Christian living. "Fornication" (sexual immorality) and "uncleanness" (general moral impurity) address the realm of defiling desires and actions, particularly those related to the body and relationships. "Covetousness" (greed) addresses the realm of material desires and the heart's disposition towards possessions. The inclusion of "all uncleanness" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the prohibition, leaving no room for any form of moral defilement.
* **"let it not be once named among you,"**: This strong prohibition goes beyond merely avoiding the *practice* of these sins; it demands that they should not even be *mentioned* or *discussed* as acceptable or normal within the Christian community. This implies a radical purity in speech, thought, and communal culture, suggesting that these behaviors should be so foreign to believers' lives that they are not even topics of casual conversation or examples observed among them, except perhaps in condemnation of the world's ways. It speaks to the atmosphere and moral standard of the church.
* **"as becometh saints;"**: This concluding phrase provides the theological rationale for the preceding command. The Greek word for "becometh" (prépō) implies what is fitting, proper, or suitable. Believers are "saints" (hágios), meaning "holy ones" or "set apart ones" for God. Their identity in Christ demands a corresponding lifestyle of holiness and purity, which stands in stark contrast to the immoral practices of the surrounding pagan culture. Their conduct must align with their consecrated status.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs a powerful **Contrast** in this verse, setting the pure, loving conduct expected of saints (as described in [Ephesians 5:1-2](/ephesians/5-1-2 "Ephesians 5:1-2 - Imitating God and Walking in Love")) against the defiling practices of fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness. The phrase "let it not be once named among you" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the absolute incompatibility of these sins with Christian identity, suggesting an extreme level of separation and purity. This strong **Exhortation** serves as a direct command, underscoring the urgency and non-negotiable nature of the call to holiness. Furthermore, the phrase "named among you" can be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where the naming or discussion of these sins stands for their actual presence or acceptance within the community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 5:3 is a foundational statement on Christian ethics, rooted in the profound theological truth of believers' new identity in Christ. As those who have been "made alive together with Christ" ([Ephesians 2:5](/ephesians/2-5 "Ephesians 2:5 - Made Alive in Christ")), Christians are called to reflect God's holy character. The prohibition against fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness underscores that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but a transformative power that purifies the heart and reshapes behavior. These sins, particularly covetousness, are often linked to idolatry because they represent a misplaced worship or devotion to created things rather than the Creator, thereby directly violating the first commandment. The call to not even "name" these sins among believers highlights the necessity of cultivating an environment of radical purity and moral discernment within the church, where the standard is not merely avoidance of sin, but a complete aversion to its very presence or influence.

* [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things"): "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:"
* [1 Thessalonians 4:3-5](/1_thessalonians/4-3-5 "1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 - God's Will for Sanctification"): "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:"
* [Hebrews 12:14](/hebrews/12-14 "Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue Peace and Holiness"): "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 5:3 presents a profound challenge to believers today, urging us to consider the depth of our commitment to holiness. It's not enough to simply avoid overt acts of sexual immorality, impurity, or greed; Paul calls for a radical transformation that permeates our entire being, including our thoughts, conversations, and desires. To live as "saints" means to cultivate a spiritual environment where these vices are so alien to our identity and practice that they are not even topics of casual discussion or accepted norms within our community. This requires intentionality in our media consumption, our friendships, and the very atmosphere of our homes and churches. It compels us to examine whether our lives truly reflect the purity and self-giving love of Christ, or if we have allowed the subtle influences of a fallen world to desensitize us to the gravity of sin. This verse is a call to radical counter-cultural living, demonstrating to the world that there is a different way to live, one marked by the beauty of God's holiness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might "fornication, uncleanness, or covetousness" be "named among you" in your personal life or community, even subtly?**
* **How does your identity as a "saint" (a holy, set-apart one) inform your daily choices regarding purity and material desires?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate an environment where these sins are truly "not once named" among you, both individually and communally?**

### FAQ
**Why does Paul say these sins should not even be "named" among believers? Does this mean we shouldn't talk about them at all?**

Answer: Paul's strong language, "let it not be once named among you," emphasizes the absolute incompatibility of these sins with the Christian identity and community. It does not mean believers should never discuss sin in a theological or pastoral context (e.g., for repentance, teaching, or warning). Instead, it means these sins should be so utterly foreign to the character and practice of believers that they are not topics of casual conversation, accepted practices, or examples observed within the community. It speaks to the moral atmosphere and standard of the church, where such behaviors are not tolerated or normalized, but rather actively repudiated as unbecoming of those who are "saints." The goal is a community so devoted to holiness that the very idea of these sins being present or acceptable is unthinkable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 5:3, with its stark prohibitions, finds its ultimate fulfillment and empowering solution in Jesus Christ. The very "fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness" that Paul commands believers to shun are precisely the sins from which Christ delivers us. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering cleansing and forgiveness for those who repent and believe. Our ability to live as "saints" is not based on our own moral effort but on our union with Christ, who is our sanctification ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption")). He perfectly embodied purity and selflessness, providing the ultimate example of how we are to walk in love, giving Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God ([Ephesians 5:2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")). Through His Spirit, Christ empowers believers to put off the old self with its sinful desires and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness ([Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22-24 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting Off the Old Self and Putting On the New")). Thus, the call to radical purity in Ephesians 5:3 is not a burdensome legalism, but a joyful response to the liberating grace of Christ, who enables us to live lives that truly "become saints."

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Colossians 3:5

¶ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Ephesians 5:5

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Galatians 5:19

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Galatians 5:21

Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:18

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

1 Thessalonians 4:3

For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

1 Thessalonians 4:7

For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.