"What Is Fornication?"

Of the Top 101 theological questions asked of Google recently, this one ranked 73rd, which is surprising, since most people seem to be unfamiliar with the word, period. Many passages in the King James and the American Standard translate the Greek word porneia (from which we get the English word pornography) as "fornication." A few modern translations use "unchastity"; the majority have "sexual immorality."

None of these is ideal. What constitutes unchastity? Does that refer to sexual relations that would lead to pregnancy? Or does it involve "petting"? Or can it refer to immodest dress? The term is too vague for modern audiences, about like "uncleanness" being the reason for divorce in Deuteronomy 24:1.

To what does sexual immorality refer? Is it difficult to imagine that young people might think that various actions are only immoral if a couple is not in love? But if a couple is in love, then whatever they do is all right. In their minds, sexual immorality may depend on a couple's intent.

So, these translations are probably too vague; fornication is the appropriate word, but it seldom finds itself used, and if it is used, few people know to what it refers. So, what does fornication mean? According to Strong, fornication [3429] means: "adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc." Yes, it includes incest, also. Only married couples have permission to engage in sexual intercourse.

Notice that motives do not matter. The rationale, "But we're in love," does not merit an exception. No room for shades of gray can be found here. It is either fornication, or it is not. A good question to ask of a couple is, "Are you married?" If not, then you are committing fornication. Fornication applies to two people of the opposite sex engaging in that which is reserved only for those who are committed to each other in marriage.

Sometimes, people want to know what the difference is between adultery and fornication. Fornication is the broader word that includes everything of an illicit nature, including adultery. Any two non-married (to each other) individuals will be committing fornication when they begin a sexual relationship. It is only adultery when one or both of the pair is married to someone else.

"Oh, but if we're living together, then everything is all right, isn't it?" No, this living arrangement is still called fornication. In fact, those living together outside of marriage are said to live in fornication. Paul admonished the Colossians to put to death things such as "fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Col. 3:5). He later says that, concerning such things, "you yourselves once walked when you lived in them" (Col. 3:7). Yes, they lived in fornication denjoying all the sexual benefits of marriage without the commitment that is part of marriage. How could it be any plainer?

"But surely that does not include loving homosexual couples, does it?" Read carefully Jude 7. Sodom and Gomorrah gave "themselves over to fornication, going after strange flesh\lh." Why is it called strange flesh? The answer is that a male with a male is not natural; it is not the way God designed it. But it is still called fornication. Those of Sodom and Gomorrah have been "set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire" (Jude 7).

"But if we are a male and female, isn't that better?" Well, it cannot be called strange flesh, but both are called fornication. Both shall be punished. Hebrews 13:4 still says: "Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled, but whoremongers [pornos] and adulterers God will judge."

Incest is yet one more aspect of porneia, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:1. There was such a degrading situation occurring in Corinth that it was not even named among the Gentiles da man was living with his father's wife dliving in fornication. Paul told the church to immediately withdraw fellowship from the man, which the second epistle to the Corinthians indicates that they did. Here, then, is an example to accompany Colossian 3:7; this man was living in fornication.

Whether by definition or by example, the fact is that fornication is a sin that a couple needs to repent of. It is serious and will keep them out of heaven. If Christians are committing this sin, others may not be aware of it, but God is, and He will hold them accountable for their actions. All should take Paul's advice and flee this sin.