The Greek word is “porneia.” And it is in Galatians 5:19 translated “fornication.” The normal Greek word for a prostitute is “porne,” to give you an idea of the “spirit” behind the term Paul has used here.

As in: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, FORNICATION, uncleanness, lasciviousness …”

It is believed our word today (“porneia”) is directly linked to a Greek verb spelled “pernumi,” which means “to sell!” Indicating a person whose very body is “for sale,” for purposes of illicit pleasure!

Wow!

It is said that the average citizenry of the Greek/Roman world in which Paul and these Galatians lived had lost all sense of “shame,” nothing was consider wrong!

Folks, in God’s Eyes “sex” is not a commodity, to be bought or sold. It is far too holy for such, being a meaningful (I want to say holy) gift of God to humanity.

A Roman philosopher (Demosthenes) once said: “We keep mistresses for pleasure, concubines for the day-to-day needs of the body, and wives to produce our legitimate children!” 

Yes, the sin of fornication was that rampant throughout the vast Roman empire, and virtually no one stood against it! That is, until Christianity began to grow!

I read earlier this morning, “Chastity was the one completely new virtue which Christianity introduced into the pagan world!” 

The flesh loved (and still does) such sensuality.

Every major (famous) person from the first century that I can locate, had a mistress (or mistresses) as a normal part of his life!

They had even “figured” ways of introducing “prostitution” into their defiled worship practices! Yes, in many pagan religions sensuality equaled spirituality!

So Paul tells his converts, newly born again Christians, to flee that stuff, fornication and the like! Genuine love (“agape” love) is too sacred to sell!

“FLEE fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” 1st Corinthians 6:18

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should ABSTAIN from fornication.” 1st Thessalonians 4:3, pretty clear!

“MORTIFY (put to death, kill) therefore your members which are upon the earth; FORNICATION (“porneia”) , uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5

“Now the body is NOT for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.” 1st Corinthians 6:13, distinctive preaching!

Preach it, Paul!

Christianity was truly revolutionary back then, no doubt. But today (I fear) it is becoming contemporary, watered-down, too loose, particularly in the area of sexual behavior.

Oh, how we need Revival.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell