Definition and Scope:
Fornication, in biblical terms, generally refers to sexual immorality or illicit sexual intercourse outside the bounds of marriage. The term is often used interchangeably with adultery, though fornication can specifically denote premarital sexual relations. In the original Greek of the New Testament, the word "porneia" is commonly translated as fornication, encompassing a wide range of sexual sins.

Old Testament Context:
The Old Testament frequently addresses sexual immorality, condemning it as a violation of God's commandments. In the Mosaic Law, fornication is explicitly prohibited. Leviticus 18 and 20 outline various unlawful sexual relations, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage and the family unit. The Israelites were called to be holy, as God is holy, and sexual purity was a significant aspect of this calling.

New Testament Teachings:
The New Testament continues to uphold the Old Testament's stance on sexual purity. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, elevates the understanding of sexual immorality by addressing not only the physical act but also the intentions of the heart. In Matthew 5:28 , Jesus states, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses fornication in his epistles, urging believers to flee from sexual immorality. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 , Paul writes, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body."

Paul's letters to the Thessalonians and Ephesians also emphasize the importance of sexual purity. In 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 , he instructs, "For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God."

Spiritual Implications:
Fornication is not merely a physical act but has profound spiritual implications. It is often portrayed as a metaphor for unfaithfulness to God. In the prophetic books, Israel's idolatry is frequently likened to fornication, symbolizing a breach of covenant with God. This imagery underscores the seriousness with which God views both physical and spiritual infidelity.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:
From a biblical perspective, fornication is a sin that distorts God's design for human sexuality, which is intended to be expressed within the covenant of marriage. It undermines the sanctity of marriage and the family, which are foundational to societal stability and spiritual well-being. Believers are called to live counter-culturally, upholding biblical standards of purity in a world that often promotes sexual permissiveness.

Practical Exhortations:
The Bible provides practical guidance for avoiding fornication. Believers are encouraged to cultivate self-control, pursue holiness, and seek accountability within the Christian community. The transformative power of the Holy Spirit enables believers to overcome the temptations of the flesh and live in a manner that honors God.

In summary, fornication is consistently condemned throughout Scripture as a serious sin with both physical and spiritual ramifications. Believers are called to uphold the biblical standard of sexual purity, reflecting God's holiness in their lives.4202. porneia -- fornication
... Word Origin from porneuo Definition fornication NASB Word Usage fornication (4),
fornications (2), immoralities (1), immorality (16), sexual immorality (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4202.htm - 7k

1 Cor. vii. 1, 2
... a woman. But because of fornications, let each man have his own wife;
and let each woman have her own husband. Having corrected ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xix 1 cor vii.htm

And Also, when He Exhorts Us, that we Live not after the Flesh...
... hear the same in like manner writing unto the Galatians, and saying, "But the works
of the flesh are manifest, which are, fornications, uncleannesses, luxuries ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 9 and also when.htm

Manes Said: Let it First be Allowed on Your Side that There is an ...
... from God. Moreover, fornications, adulteries, murders, avarice, and all
evil deeds, are the fruits of that evil root. Archelaus ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/17 manes said let it.htm

Whether Simple Fornication is a Mortal Sin?
... But the Lord commanded (Osee 1:2): "Go take thee a wife of fornications, and have
of her children of fornications." Therefore fornication is not a mortal sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether simple fornication is a.htm

A Specimen of a Catechetical Address; and First, the Case of a ...
... nor go about seeking the vain pomps of honors, but who nevertheless are minded to
find their pleasure and rest in dainty meats, and in fornications, and in ...
/.../augustine/on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 16 a specimen of a.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... touch a woman. But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife,
and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Introduction
... things all heretics and schismatics do are carnal, as the apostle says: "For the
works of the flesh are manifest, which are, fornications, uncleannesses, incest ...
/.../cyprian/the seventh council of carthage under cyprian/introduction.htm

Book Two He Concentrates Here on his Sixteenth Year, a Year of ...
... I was tossed to and fro, and wasted, and poured out, and I boiled over in my
fornications"and yet thou didst hold thy peace, O my tardy Joy! ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book two he concentrates here.htm

Never a Man Like Him
... For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries,
fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter vii never a man.htm

Further Remarks Upon St. Paul's Teaching.
... when he says: [667] "But concerning these (things) which ye write; good it is for
a man not to touch a woman; but, on account of fornications, let each one ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter xi further remarks upon st.htm

Fornications (14 Occurrences)
...Fornications (14 Occurrences). ... 1 Corinthians 7:2 But, because of fornications, let
each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. ...
/f/fornications.htm - 10k

Sorceries (11 Occurrences)
... Jehu? And he said, What peace, so long as the fornications of thy mother
Jezebel and her sorceries are so many? (DBY RSV). Isaiah ...
/s/sorceries.htm - 9k

Fornication (52 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (Root in KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS ...
/f/fornication.htm - 24k

Graceful (6 Occurrences)
... Nahum 3:4 Because of the abundance of the fornications of an harlot, The goodness
of the grace of the lady of witchcrafts, Who is selling nations by her ...
/g/graceful.htm - 8k

Selling (23 Occurrences)
... Nahum 3:4 Because of the abundance of the fornications of an harlot, The goodness
of the grace of the lady of witchcrafts, Who is selling nations by her ...
/s/selling.htm - 13k

Lady (37 Occurrences)
... Nahum 3:4 Because of the abundance of the fornications of an harlot, The goodness
of the grace of the lady of witchcrafts, Who is selling nations by her ...
/l/lady.htm - 22k

Witnessings (1 Occurrence)
... Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witnessings, blasphemies; (DBY YLT). ...
/w/witnessings.htm - 6k

Fornicator (3 Occurrences)

/f/fornicator.htm - 7k

Railings (2 Occurrences)
... Railings (2 Occurrences). Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: (ASV) ...
/r/railings.htm - 7k

Defilest (1 Occurrence)
... On the ways thou hast sat for them, As an Arab in a wilderness, And thou defilest
the land, By thy fornications, and by thy wickedness. (YLT). ...
/d/defilest.htm - 6k

What is the difference between fornication and adultery? | GotQuestions.org

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