What Is Fornication?

[free2love]

There have been a few threads lately regarding the bible's perspective on various sexual matters. I believe there is a lot of misunderstanding and confusion and that this represents a victory for the adversary and I want to do what I can to share the scriptures to shed light on these things. Further, I believe that through this, Satan has coused us to fall into a trap God warned us against in Isaiah 5:20:
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
God invented sex and, just as with all of His creation, He wants us to be happy and enjoy what He's given us. The first question I want to put out is this:
What does the word "fornication" mean?

[prophecystudent]

Fornication is having sex with someone other than your spouse.

There are 2 kinds of fornication in the bible. One is physical fornication as in having sex with someone other than your spouse.

The second kind is spiritual fornication which is when a person worships an idol and denies God.

Fred

[twistedsketch]

Fornication is having sex with someone you are not married to when you are single.

Adultery is the same thing, only one or both of the people involved is married to someone else.

[TrustingmyLord]

Fornication is having sex with someone you are not married to when you are single.

Adultery is the same thing, only one or both of the people involved is married to someone else.


I totally agree. Thats it, plain and simple.

[JVarner83]

Fornication is having sex with someone you are not married to when you are single.

Adultery is the same thing, only one or both of the people involved is married to someone else.



Find it used in that context in the bible


I can assure you, it won't be easy

[SoundCard]

Corinthians
6:13-20 explains it well I think. King James Version if you're wondering.
"Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end both and bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised the Lord to life and will also raise up by His power. Do you not see and know that your bodies are members of Christ? Am I therefore to take the parts of Christ and make parts of a prostitute? Never! Never! Or do you not know and realize that when a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? The two, it is written, shall become one flesh. But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. Shun imorality and all sexual looseness. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Do you know your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought with a price. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body."

[msbojingles]

2 Corinthians 12:21
lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication (strong's 4202), and lewdness which they have practiced.


Strong's 4202. porneia por-ni'-ah from 4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry:--fornication.
1) illicit sexual intercourse
a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11,12
2) metaph. the worship of idols
a) of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols


4203. porneuo porn-yoo'-o from 4204; to act the harlot, i.e. (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry:--commit (fornication).

1) to prostitute one's body to the lust of another
2) to give one's self to unlawful sexual intercourse
a) to commit fornication
3) metaph. to be given to idolatry, to worship idols a) to permit one's self to be drawn away by another into idolatry

4204. porne por'-nay feminine of 4205; a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater:--harlot, whore.
1) a woman who sells her body for sexual uses
a) a prostitute, a harlot, one who yields herself to defilement for the sake of gain
b) any woman indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse, whether for gain or for lust
2) metaph. an idolatress
a) of "Babylon" i.e. Rome, the chief seat of idolatry


4205. pornos por'-nos from pernemi (to sell; akin to the base of 4097); a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine):--fornicator, whoremonger.

1) a man who prostitutes his body to another's lust for hire
2) a male prostitute
3) a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator

[bithiah2]

i would like to know why the question was asked in the first place when the meaning of the word could be looked up in any dictionary.:scratch: just asking...
bithiah2

[New_Wineskin]

There have been a few threads lately regarding the bible's perspective on various sexual matters. I believe there is a lot of misunderstanding and confusion and that this represents a victory for the adversary and I want to do what I can to share the scriptures to shed light on these things. Further, I believe that through this, Satan has coused us to fall into a trap God warned us against in Isaiah 5:20:
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
God invented sex and, just as with all of His creation, He wants us to be happy and enjoy what He's given us. The first question I want to put out is this:
What does the word "fornication" mean?

As has been brought up , the word that the translators usually interpret as "fornication" is much different than how the word has meaning today - at least , how it is used . Prostitution seems to fit better but still does not do the word justice .

[msbojingles]

i would like to know why the question was asked in the first place when the meaning of the word could be looked up in any dictionary.:scratch: just asking...
bithiah2

Because languages change over time and the meaning found in the dictionary does not cover the meaning that the original Greek word does. That's why the Strong's reference was given and the original Greek word with it's meaning in it's fullness was given.

The word that is translated "fornication" is actually "porneia." The Greeks did not have the word "fornication." Things do get lost in translation, especially in generations to come once words lose the meaning they once had.

So to find out what the writer was saying, we need to fully understand what HE was saying, in his own language, so we have to look at the word HE used.

[lilymarie]

2 Corinthians 12:21
lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication (strong's 4202), and lewdness which they have practiced.


Strong's 4202. porneia por-ni'-ah from 4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry:--fornication.
1) illicit sexual intercourse
a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11,12
2) metaph. the worship of idols
a) of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols


4203. porneuo porn-yoo'-o from 4204; to act the harlot, i.e. (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry:--commit (fornication).

1) to prostitute one's body to the lust of another
2) to give one's self to unlawful sexual intercourse
a) to commit fornication
3) metaph. to be given to idolatry, to worship idols a) to permit one's self to be drawn away by another into idolatry

4204. porne por'-nay feminine of 4205; a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater:--harlot, whore.
1) a woman who sells her body for sexual uses
a) a prostitute, a harlot, one who yields herself to defilement for the sake of gain
b) any woman indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse, whether for gain or for lust
2) metaph. an idolatress
a) of "Babylon" i.e. Rome, the chief seat of idolatry


4205. pornos por'-nos from pernemi (to sell; akin to the base of 4097); a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine):--fornicator, whoremonger.

1) a man who prostitutes his body to another's lust for hire
2) a male prostitute
3) a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator

This is the correct answer.

Fornication comes from the words above and includes all sexual acts outside a marriage between one man and one woman.

The Greek words above are where we get out English word "pornography. -The word pornography includes all roots of the Greek words mentioned above.

[baddhabbitt]

In the Bible, fornication is defined as idolatry or adultery, that is, the breaking of the covenant vow with God or the breaking of the holy wedding vows. To worship another god (idol) is to cheat on God, and is against the 1st commandment. In the Bible, God says that those Israelites who worship idols have fornicated against Him.
Orthodox Judaism restricts sexual activity to a legally permissible marriage between a Jewish man and a Jewish woman. A man and women are even prohibited from being in a closed room alone together if they are not married, a law called yichud, nor are they allowed to have physical contact (a law referred to as negiah).
Sexual relations between a man and a woman who are not married are considered less serious (they are referred to as zenuth) than the Biblically prohibited unions such as adultery (a married woman having relations with another man) and incest; the later are referred to as ervah (literally "nakedness"), have more severe penalties and there are serious restrictions on children of these prohibited unions (mamzerim).
Sexual relations is one of the ways the Talmud(Kiddushin 1) specifies for effecting a marriage, though this method is frowned upon by the Rabbis. Children of a Jewish woman are considered Jewish regardless of whether she was married.

[MaidforHim]

Fornication, the illicit sex acts of unmarried persons which is likewise forbidden (I Corinthians 5:1; 6:13, 18; Ephesians 5:3).

Fornication is also used to describe behaviors like when God's people turned from Him to Idolitry.

If you look it up in a Bible dictionary these words also come up in the definition:
FORNICATION ;

See ADULTERY (http://www.speedbibledictionary.com/kjv30/nave/nave0121.htm) See LASCIVIOUSNESS (http://www.speedbibledictionary.com/kjv30/nave/nave2999.htm)
One dictionary also turned up "whoredom".

for·ni·ca·tion Sexual intercourse between partners who are not married to each other.
Word History: The word fornication had a lowly beginning suitable to what has long been the low moral status of the act to which it refers. The Latin word fornix, from which fornicti, the ancestor of fornication, is derived, meant “a vault, an arch.” The term also referred to a vaulted cellar or similar place where prostitutes plied their trade. This sense of fornix in Late Latin yielded the verb fornicr, “to commit fornication,” from which is derived fornicti, “whoredom, fornication.” Our word is first recorded in Middle English about 1303.

[free2love]

Fornication is having sex with someone other than your spouse.

Hi Fred, thanks for your response. This statement well represents what most of us think fornication is but it is not. This belief is so widespread and has been around so long it is even in our bible dictionaries and concordances but, as another poster pointed out, to find biblical foundation for this statement is, well, I think they said 'good luck'. :)
There are 2 kinds of fornication in the bible. One is physical fornication as in having sex with someone other than your spouse.

Yes, this is pretty much what we get from the reference books and it does give us a clue but it is only partly true, the part about it being idolatry.

The second kind is spiritual fornication which is when a person worships an idol and denies God.

What they fail to see and explain in the references is that fornication was/is the actual act of idol worship. In other words the idol worshipers worshiped their 'gods' by sexual acts. Those sexual acts are what constitute fornication. The worship ritual itself was an orgy.

[free2love]

Fornication is having sex with someone you are not married to when you are single.

Again, yes, this is the widely held popular belief as to what this word means but it is simply not true and has nothing to do with what fornication actually is.

Please be patient with me and I will explain. I am just trying to catch up on all these posts, ok? :)

[free2love]

Find it used in that context in the bible. I can assure you, it won't be easy

Right on! You win the prize for the first one having a clue. :amen:

[ROGER459]

The PREVIOUS two postings that listed the Word, IN THE GREEK, has it right!

But in simple English... May include but not limited to.....

ANY SEXUAL ACT, OR ACTIONS, OR ANY MEETING OF MAN AND WOMAN, IN THE WAY ONLY PROVIDED BY GOD FOR THE MARRIAGE BED, [Hebrews 13:4] IS FORNICATION.

IT CAN INCLUDE, THE DEFILEMENT BY LANGUAGE, ACTIONS, VISUAL OR AUDITORY TRAPPINGS AND THE SAID LIKE!

(Matthew 5:28) But I [JESUS] say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman [man] to lust after her [him] hath committed adultery with her [him] already in his [her] heart.

This can be inclued in FORNICATION, for GOD looks at the Heart!

Thanks, Roger459

[free2love]

Corinthians
6:13-20 explains it well I think. King James Version if you're wondering.
"Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end both and bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised the Lord to life and will also raise up by His power. Do you not see and know that your bodies are members of Christ? Am I therefore to take the parts of Christ and make parts of a prostitute? Never! Never! Or do you not know and realize that when a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? The two, it is written, shall become one flesh. But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him. Shun imorality and all sexual looseness. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Do you know your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought with a price. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body."

Well, actually that is definitely not from the King James Version... and did you mean first or second Corinthians? Well, I looked it up and it looks like the New King James Version from first Corinthians.

This certainly is a great section of scripture worthy of much discussion but to just paste it in there with no feedback from you, I'm sorry, but I have no idea, without assuming, what it is you mean to say. I mean, that's a bunch of verses and what they say collectively is not necessarily self-evident so I'm not sure how to respond. We could label it a witness for the prosecution or a witness for the defense. LoL!!! See what I mean?

Please state what it is you see in there, ok?

Thanks :wave:

[SoundCard]

Well, actually that is definitely not from the King James Version... and did you mean first or second Corinthians? Well, I looked it up and it looks like the New King James Version from first Corinthians.

This certainly is a great section of scripture worthy of much discussion but to just paste it in there with no feedback from you, I'm sorry, but I have no idea, without assuming, what it is you mean to say. I mean, that's a bunch of verses and what they say collectively is not necessarily self-evident so I'm not sure how to respond. We could label it a witness for the prosecution or a witness for the defense. LoL!!! See what I mean?

Please state what it is you see in there, ok?

Thanks :wave:
Sure thing. To me it seems to be plainly saying don't act in manners unbeffiting a member of the Body of Christ. The other poster did a better job of pointing out what was more to the issue, but it talks about not making yourself like a prostitute, and while you might say that's different than fornicating, and granted, it is, it's still not something I think Christ would want people doing. I can't read Greek or the original translations, but from my own personal experiences and such, it really just doesn't seem like an act a person should be taking part of, that being intercourse with someone outside of marriage. What more that speaks to me in that passage is it says to honor God and bring glory to Him in our body, but being so frivolous as to have relations outside of marriage, it might just be my own views, but I see no honor or glory in such a thing that could POSSIBLY be His.

[bod44]

Fornication by definition is unlawful sex. One dictionary said it was sex with anything or anyone other than your spouse. Fornication is sex out of marriage, masturbation, perverting sex(homosexuality, other forms that don't need to be mentioned,), and bestiality. Sex is a God given absolutely beautiful thing! The desire for sex is totally natural and God given, lust, is allowing it to become fantasies, masturbation, etc. Joshuah Harris has a great book called Not Even a Hint. It goes into detail and was very very insightful. I would recomend it to anyone that really wants to find out whats wrong with lust, which is the desire for fornictation. Lust by definition is a desire for something God given that you aren't able to lawfully have, like sex without marriage, enjoying sexual pleasure aside from sex with your spouse(like masturbation, in or out of marriage).


πορνεία
porneia
Thayer Definition:
1) illicit sexual intercourse
1a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
1b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
1c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mar_10:11,Mar_10:12
2) metaphorically the worship of idols
2a) of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols

[Calebofthepromisedland]

There have been a few threads lately regarding the bible's perspective on various sexual matters. I believe there is a lot of misunderstanding and confusion and that this represents a victory for the adversary and I want to do what I can to share the scriptures to shed light on these things. Further, I believe that through this, Satan has coused us to fall into a trap God warned us against in Isaiah 5:20:
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
God invented sex and, just as with all of His creation, He wants us to be happy and enjoy what He's given us. The first question I want to put out is this:
What does the word "fornication" mean?
Yeah, I'd say everyone has it. Fornication, free sex outside of wedlock. Or, casual sex if that is easier to picture. Sex is meant for mariage and is thus meant to be saved until marriage. Anyone who has sex outside of marriage is guilty of fornication. The Bible is also quite specific that fornicators do not inherit the kingdom of God. I didn't know about the idols thing but I would say it is a safe bet to agree with it.

[bithiah2]

but what is your point!
the meaning of a word can change but what does God say? i like men and i like sex but i want to please God.
so...for me it is a no-brainer as you say in america.

bithiah2

[free2love]

2 Corinthians 12:21
lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication (strong's 4202), and lewdness which they have practiced.


Strong's 4202. porneia por-ni'-ah from 4203; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry:--fornication.
1) illicit sexual intercourse
a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.
b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mk. 10:11,12
2) metaph. the worship of idols
a) of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the sacrifices offered to idols


4203. porneuo porn-yoo'-o from 4204; to act the harlot, i.e. (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry:--commit (fornication).

1) to prostitute one's body to the lust of another
2) to give one's self to unlawful sexual intercourse
a) to commit fornication
3) metaph. to be given to idolatry, to worship idols a) to permit one's self to be drawn away by another into idolatry

4204. porne por'-nay feminine of 4205; a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater:--harlot, whore.
1) a woman who sells her body for sexual uses
a) a prostitute, a harlot, one who yields herself to defilement for the sake of gain
b) any woman indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse, whether for gain or for lust
2) metaph. an idolatress
a) of "Babylon" i.e. Rome, the chief seat of idolatry


4205. pornos por'-nos from pernemi (to sell; akin to the base of 4097); a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine):--fornicator, whoremonger.

1) a man who prostitutes his body to another's lust for hire
2) a male prostitute
3) a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator

Thanks for posting this as I will be able to refer to it as I go. There is a lot of useful info here but this is only the Greek and we really need to also look at the Hebrew in the OT as well.

Strong's is such a great reference if you know how to use it but the error of this 'doctrine of men' regarding this word is so deep it's even found in the very best bible reference we have.

Anyway, hang in there and I will give a more complete explanation as I go. (and be sure to read all of my posts, in fact do a post search on my name and go all the way back and you will find some clues as to where I'm going with this)

Bless Ya! :wave:

[free2love]

i would like to know why the question was asked in the first place when the meaning of the word could be looked up in any dictionary.:scratch: just asking...
bithiah2

Reasonable question... "Why?"

I believe God loves us and gave us His word as a 'user's manual' for life and if we follow His instructions we will be blessed, but God's enemy likes to twist words around so that we don't receive the blessings we could have. Examples of this can be found in the account of Satan's encounter with Eve: God - "Thou shalt surely die"; Satan - "Ye shall not surely die". Another one is when the devil tempted Jesus in the desert when he took written scripture and tried to deceive the Lord Himself. This scripture twisting went on all the time and, as Jesus admonished so many times it is by following the traditions and doctrines of men (substituted for the word of God) that the word of God becomes 'of none effect'.

If you look back at my original post you'll see where I quoted Isaiah 5:20:
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!". I did so because this verse speaks of exactly what I see going on all starting with the true definition of this word and what it really means as opposed to the falsehood most, if not all believers live by. That's why.

[Asinner]

What does the word "fornication" mean?

Fornication is any sexual act outside of marriage.

God Bless :)

[free2love]

In the Bible, fornication is defined as idolatry or adultery, that is, the breaking of the covenant vow with God or the breaking of the holy wedding vows. To worship another god (idol) is to cheat on God, and is against the 1st commandment. In the Bible, God says that those Israelites who worship idols have fornicated against Him.
Orthodox Judaism restricts sexual activity to a legally permissible marriage between a Jewish man and a Jewish woman. A man and women are even prohibited from being in a closed room alone together if they are not married, a law called yichud, nor are they allowed to have physical contact (a law referred to as negiah).
Sexual relations between a man and a woman who are not married are considered less serious (they are referred to as zenuth) than the Biblically prohibited unions such as adultery (a married woman having relations with another man) and incest; the later are referred to as ervah (literally "nakedness"), have more severe penalties and there are serious restrictions on children of these prohibited unions (mamzerim).
Sexual relations is one of the ways the Talmud(Kiddushin 1) specifies for effecting a marriage, though this method is frowned upon by the Rabbis. Children of a Jewish woman are considered Jewish regardless of whether she was married.

Wow, what a great post! Thank you for taking the time to give us your perspective. I hope everyone who attends to this thread reads it very carefully. You have truly blessed us! :amen:

[msbojingles]

Ok, here's the Hebrew too!

8457 taznuwth taz-nooth' or taznuth {taz-nooth'}; from 2181; harlotry, i.e. (figuratively) idolatry:--fornication, whoredom.
1) fornication, harlotry

2181 zanah zaw-naw' a primitive root (highly-fed and therefore wanton); to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (the Jewish people being regarded as the spouse of Jehovah):--(cause to) commit fornication, X continually, X great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish.

1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot
a) (Qal)
1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication
2) to commit adultery
3) to be a cult prostitute
4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.)
b) (Pual) to play the harlot
c) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to commit adultery
2) to force into prostitution 3) to commit fornication



2183 zanuwn zaw-noon' from 2181; adultery; figuratively, idolatry:--whoredom
1) adultery, fornication, prostitution


2184 znuwth zen-ooth' from 2181; adultery, i.e. (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry:--whoredom.
1) fornication, harlotry

2185 zonowth zo-noth' applied to military equipments; but evidently the feminine plural active participle of 2181; harlots:--armour.

1) fornications a) armour (used in warfare not sanctioned by Jehovah) (fig.)

[free2love]

Ok, here's the Hebrew too!

8457 taznuwth taz-nooth' or taznuth {taz-nooth'}; from 2181; harlotry, i.e. (figuratively) idolatry:--fornication, whoredom.
1) fornication, harlotry

2181 zanah zaw-naw' a primitive root (highly-fed and therefore wanton); to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (the Jewish people being regarded as the spouse of Jehovah):--(cause to) commit fornication, X continually, X great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish.

1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot
a) (Qal)
1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication
2) to commit adultery
3) to be a cult prostitute
4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.)
b) (Pual) to play the harlot
c) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to commit adultery
2) to force into prostitution 3) to commit fornication

2183 zanuwn zaw-noon' from 2181; adultery; figuratively, idolatry:--whoredom
1) adultery, fornication, prostitution

2184 znuwth zen-ooth' from 2181; adultery, i.e. (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry:--whoredom.
1) fornication, harlotry

2185 zonowth zo-noth' applied to military equipments; but evidently the feminine plural active participle of 2181; harlots:--armour.

1) fornications a) armour (used in warfare not sanctioned by Jehovah) (fig.)

Thanks! Of course this is where I started years ago in researching this subject. Is this copy-paste from a program you have or online? Other worthwhile word-studies would include all variations of virgin, seduce, prostitute, orgy and others. To tell the truth it is remarkable just how large a topic sex is in the bible and ironically, as much help as references like this one are, they also need to be taken with a grain of salt sometimes... in this case the supposed 'figurative' nature of Israel's 'harlotry'. I don't care if it is in the most 'authoritative' references, it's just a lot of hot air. The 'whoring after other gods' of Israel was literal!!!

[MaidforHim]

This is the correct answer.

Fornication comes from the words above and includes all sexual acts outside a marriage between one man and one woman.

The Greek words above are where we get out English word "pornography. -The word pornography includes all roots of the Greek words mentioned above.



Wow, that was excellent. I saved that for future reference!

Thanks taking the time to share that msbojingles and lilymarie. God bless!

[ROGER459]

(1Corinthians 6:18-19-20) Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
(1Co 6:19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
(1Co 6:20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.


(Heb 13:4) Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

But in simple English... May include but not limited to.....

ANY SEXUAL ACT, OR ACTIONS, OR ANY MEETING OF MAN AND WOMAN, IN THE WAY ONLY PROVIDED BY GOD FOR THE MARRIAGE BED, [Hebrews 13:4] IS FORNICATION.

IT CAN INCLUDE, THE DEFILEMENT BY LANGUAGE, ACTIONS, VISUAL OR AUDITORY TRAPPINGS AND THE SAID LIKE!

(Matthew 5:28) But I [JESUS] say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman [man] to lust after her [him] hath committed adultery with her [him] already in his [her] heart.

This can be inclued in FORNICATION, for GOD looks at the Heart!

Thanks, Roger459

[msbojingles]

Thanks! Of course this is where I started years ago in researching this subject. Is this copy-paste from a program you have or online? Other worthwhile word-studies would include all variations of virgin, seduce, prostitute, orgy and others. To tell the truth it is remarkable just how large a topic sex is in the bible and ironically, as much help as references like this one are, they also need to be taken with a grain of salt sometimes... in this case the supposed 'figurative' nature of Israel's 'harlotry'. I don't care if it is in the most 'authoritative' references, it's just a lot of hot air. The 'whoring after other gods' of Israel was literal!!!


Yes, I understand that the "whoring after other gods" was literal. Obviously, that was just a short list of some of the words used, and not all of them say "figuratively."

But at least people can look at the list of words and see it for themselves, instead of looking up the word "fornication" in websters or what-have-you, and finding a meaning other than what is in the bible. Yes, everything must be taken in context, but most people here are not Hebrew or Greek majors.

taznusth (only used once) and zanah from which it comes are actually the only words literally translated "fornication" in the OT hebrew, the others are words also derived from zanah. And it (taznusth) does not say "figuratively" so that is a bit irrelevant there. It literally means harlotry, whoredom, fornication.


And we do have to look at the New testament writings concerning fornication. Because the words used in the NT sometimes had a much broader meaning than just "harlotry, whoredom, idolatry" and the writers could have used other words if they intended to say something different - and in many cases they did!

If we want to get all technical, every sin we can ever commit is an act of idolatry - because it always elevates somthing before God - and therefore is also harlotry, because we break our covenant with the Lord, and literally have "relations" with the world, because according to scripture we are married to Jesus - not even just engaged, but married.

[msbojingles]

(1Corinthians 6:18-19-20) Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
(1Co 6:19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
(1Co 6:20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.


(Heb 13:4) Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

But in simple English... May include but not limited to.....

ANY SEXUAL ACT, OR ACTIONS, OR ANY MEETING OF MAN AND WOMAN, IN THE WAY ONLY PROVIDED BY GOD FOR THE MARRIAGE BED, [Hebrews 13:4] IS FORNICATION.

IT CAN INCLUDE, THE DEFILEMENT BY LANGUAGE, ACTIONS, VISUAL OR AUDITORY TRAPPINGS AND THE SAID LIKE!

(Matthew 5:28) But I [JESUS] say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman [man] to lust after her [him] hath committed adultery with her [him] already in his [her] heart.

This can be inclued in FORNICATION, for GOD looks at the Heart!

Thanks, Roger459





:amen: with double whipped cream on top (as another poster would say..lol)

[ROGER459]

(James 4:4) Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Thanks, Roger459

[BamaLady53]

There have been a few threads lately regarding the bible's perspective on various sexual matters. I believe there is a lot of misunderstanding and confusion and that this represents a victory for the adversary and I want to do what I can to share the scriptures to shed light on these things. Further, I believe that through this, Satan has coused us to fall into a trap God warned us against in Isaiah 5:20:
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
God invented sex and, just as with all of His creation, He wants us to be happy and enjoy what He's given us. The first question I want to put out is this:
What does the word "fornication" mean?
I know this isn't a response to your question but are you advocating sex outside of marriage?

Bama

[BamaLady53]

Sure thing. To me it seems to be plainly saying don't act in manners unbeffiting a member of the Body of Christ. The other poster did a better job of pointing out what was more to the issue, but it talks about not making yourself like a prostitute, and while you might say that's different than fornicating, and granted, it is, it's still not something I think Christ would want people doing. I can't read Greek or the original translations, but from my own personal experiences and such, it really just doesn't seem like an act a person should be taking part of, that being intercourse with someone outside of marriage. What more that speaks to me in that passage is it says to honor God and bring glory to Him in our body, but being so frivolous as to have relations outside of marriage, it might just be my own views, but I see no honor or glory in such a thing that could POSSIBLY be His.

I would like to add, without quoting scripture, which I prefer to rely on, the thought of sinning against your own body. We have seen disease, broken relatioships, insecurity, child abuse and more just due to sexual immorality. God knew this would happen, He knew the pain it would cause. Is this not enough to make us understand His precepts?
Bama:sigh:

[free2love]

but what is your point!
the meaning of a word can change but what does God say? i like men and i like sex but i want to please God.
so...for me it is a no-brainer as you say in america.

An honest question deserves an honest answer. My point is this and this is what God says: Fornication is not sex outside of marriage. Fornication is the general term referring to specific sexual acts listed in Leviticus 18, primarily incest, adultery, homosexuality and bestiality which were performed ceremonialy in the worship of idols.

Since sex before/outside marriage (meaning sex among singles) is not among the sexual acts God forbids it is not wrong, plain and simple. I know many will go off the handle about this, nevertheless, that's what the bible says and doesn't say. The belief that God forbids sex between single people may be widely held but it is not biblical. I don't know the answers to all the questions but there is no verse where God clearly forbids sex outside of marriage as He clearly forbids these others in Lev 18. For people to be going around trying to live their lives by what they think God said when He never said it is wrong and hurtful. I hope that makes it clear. :wave:

[New_Wineskin]

I know this isn't a response to your question but are you advocating sex outside of marriage?

Bama

Since "marraige" was not mentioned in that post , how could they be advocating *anything* concerning marraige ?

Also , what if they would advocate it in another post ?

[bod44]

Sex before marriage is not right before God first because it was designed for marriage and using it outside of marriage is perverting God's beautiful design, secondly because even from a worldly perspective, its not worth it. God designed it to create a bond. The bond is very very hard to break and causes emotional baggage to be carried along to the next person. Thats not even considering the physical aspect such as an unplanned pregnancy, stds, etc. Paul tells the young virgins to not give in to their passions in a couple different letters. Let us have self control for we are not our own.

[free2love]

[quote=msbojingles;27322843]Yes, I understand that the "whoring after other gods" was literal. Obviously, that was just a short list of some of the words used, and not all of them say "figuratively."

First let me apologize for the emphasis. It wasn't addressed so much at you as to the issue at hand.
But at least people can look at the list of words and see it for themselves, instead of looking up the word "fornication" in websters or what-have-you, and finding a meaning other than what is in the bible. Yes, everything must be taken in context, but most people here are not Hebrew or Greek majors.

I couldn't agree more and I want to thank you again for posting these pages. As you say, it gives people who've maybe never seen a concordance a chance to be exposed to research. :)

taznusth (only used once) and zanah from which it comes are actually the only words literally translated "fornication" in the OT hebrew, the others are words also derived from zanah. And it (taznusth) does not say "figuratively" so that is a bit irrelevant there. It literally means harlotry, whoredom, fornication.
And we do have to look at the New testament writings concerning fornication. Because the words used in the NT sometimes had a much broader meaning than just "harlotry, whoredom, idolatry" and the writers could have used other words if they intended to say something different - and in many cases they did!

Absolutely, but in research we only start with what the concordances give us. We also need to look at the context, the scope, the structure, figures of speech, oriental custom, many things. From the framing context of it, even though the word fornication wasn't used there, we can see that what is being described in Lev. 18 are the specifics of the sexual immorality and idolatry God is talking about all through His word.
My reason for trying my best to show accurately what this word IS is also to show what this word IS NOT so that people can stop reading error into the scripture. It is obvious that the interpretation of this word as 'sex outside of marriage' came from tradition and not from the bible, albeit many years ago so that it has taken hold on pretty much everyone. It is not true and not biblical. someone asked me if I am "advocating sex outside of marriage". Well, no, not really but I think the question also must be asked: "Is God forbidding sex outside of marriage" because the answer is no, not in my bible He's not. What I am advocating, if anything, is let's live our lives by what the word of God actually says and not by what men or religion or tradition try to add to God's word, ok? It is easy to make the assumptions about this word that are commonly made if you don't know what it actually refers to but if you start out with the understanding of what it really means the scripture really opens up to you. Yes, I feel it is important to understand that fornication/sexual immorality(NIV) does not mean sex outside of marriage, but I feel it is even more important to understand that literally every time you see this word or any translations of the Hebrew and Greek words it comes from it is talking about the sexual practices carried on in ritual worship of idols and they were, specifically: incest, adultery, homosexuality (between men; it doesn't mention women) and bestiality. That's what fornication IS.

[New_Wineskin]

My reason for trying my best to show accurately what this word IS is also to show what this word IS NOT so that people can stop reading error into the scripture. It is obvious that the interpretation of this word as 'sex outside of marriage' came from tradition and not from the bible, albeit many years ago so that it has taken hold on pretty much everyone. It is not true and not biblical. someone asked me if I am "advocating sex outside of marriage". Well, no, not really but I think the question also must be asked: "Is God forbidding sex outside of marriage" because the answer is no, not in my bible He's not. What I am advocating, if anything, is let's live our lives by what the word of God actually says and not by what men or religion or tradition try to add to God's word, ok? It is easy to make the assumptions about this word that are commonly made if you don't know what it actually refers to but if you start out with the understanding of what it really means the scripture really opens up to you. Yes, I feel it is important to understand that fornication/sexual immorality(NIV) does not mean sex outside of marriage, but I feel it is even more important to understand that literally every time you see this word or any translations of the Hebrew and Greek words it comes from it is talking about the sexual practices carried on in ritual worship of idols and they were, specifically: incest, adultery, homosexuality (between men; it doesn't mention women) and bestiality. That's what fornication IS.

Good post . :)

[SoundCard]

"Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication , let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." (1 Corinthians 7:1-2, KJV)

I think that's speaking very strongly against it, and it defines it as something outside of marriage, and the site I got it from used the word porneia as the translation to fornication, where it did reference what you listed above, but while that is common interpetation, it in turn also includes premarital relations. So whether or not you'd want it to be so, I'd have to agree with the post on the second page where it was defined, that fornication DOES include premarital sex, and anything action of such is indeed a sin.

[threeinone]

"Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication , let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." (1 Corinthians 7:1-2, KJV)

I think that's speaking very strongly against it, and it defines it as something outside of marriage, and the site I got it from used the word porneia as the translation to fornication, where it did reference what you listed above, but while that is common interpetation, it in turn also includes premarital relations. So whether or not you'd want it to be so, I'd have to agree with the post on the second page where it was defined, that fornication DOES include premarital sex, and anything action of such is indeed a sin.

My question would be "How come men are allowed and do and sometimes are expected to have sex before marriage, and women keep themselves pure for these impure men in marriage?" It doesn't add up to me. Personally, I'd want a man who knew something about sex and I would want to be able to contribute knowledgeably as well to the wedding bed.

So does this not before marriage apply to both men and women and if not, why not. And if men don't keep themselves pure and women keep themselves pure, then there's no real meaning to the whole thing. And if they are both pure, man there is gonna be a lot of gropin' and lot of not knowing what's goin' on and an unhappy pair.

[SoundCard]

My question would be "How come men are allowed and do and sometimes are expected to have sex before marriage, and women keep themselves pure for these impure men in marriage?" It doesn't add up to me. Personally, I'd want a man who knew something about sex and I would want to be able to contribute knowledgeably as well to the wedding bed.

So does this not before marriage apply to both men and women and if not, why not. And if men don't keep themselves pure and women keep themselves pure, then there's no real meaning to the whole thing. And if they are both pure, man there is gonna be a lot of gropin' and lot of not knowing what's goin' on and an unhappy pair.
Personally? Yes, I do believe both should remain pure. And as far as pleasure in it goes, well, alot of sinful things bring us pleasure, doesn't mean they're anymore right to do.

[mact]

It is an act of the "Sinful" (NIV) or "Flesh" (NASB)
Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Immorality
porneia
por-ni'-ah
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry: - fornication.
porneuō
porn-yoo'-o
to act the harlot, that is, (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry: - commit (fornication).


Impurity
akatharsia
ak-ath-ar-see'-ah
From G169; impurity (the quality), physically or morally: - uncleanness

[free2love]

It is an act of the "Sinful" (NIV) or "Flesh" (NASB)
Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Immorality
porneia
por-ni'-ah
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively idolatry: - fornication.
porneuō
porn-yoo'-o
to act the harlot, that is, (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry: - commit (fornication).


Impurity
akatharsia
ak-ath-ar-see'-ah
From G169; impurity (the quality), physically or morally: - uncleanness

Ummm... nice pasting there mac. Is there something you're trying to say? ...because I gotta tell ya, that's about as clear as mud. :confused:

[mont974x4]

Ummm... nice pasting there mac. Is there something you're trying to say? ...because I gotta tell ya, that's about as clear as mud. :confused:

By defining immorality from that passage he was attempting to help make it clear. This is all sexual immorality and looking at it in context we can see it is sin.


Since idolotry is also in the list it would tell us that they are seperate issues. Everything on that list is sin.

[threeinone]

By defining immorality from that passage he was attempting to help make it clear. This is all sexual immorality and looking at it in context we can see it is sin.


Since idolotry is also in the list it would tell us that they are seperate issues. Everything on that list is sin.

It is also sexually immoral for women to be half naked shaking their parts at men to excite them and then pull away.

There are so many sexually immoral things going on in the world today, they are too numerous to list.

The immoral in question is fornication. I suggest the other sexual immorals be put in another thread.

[mont974x4]

The word immorality in that passage includes fornication, which is probably why it was defined.

[free2love]

[quote=SoundCard;27395321]"Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication , let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." (1 Corinthians 7:1-2, KJV)

Well, I could try to get away with pointing out that the NIV translates it “…better for a man not to marry”, but the fact is that’s a poor translation because the Greek word used there, ’Haptomai’, actually does mean to physically touch. In fact it is the same word used when Jesus hugged the leper and when the woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of the Lord’s garment. Interesting word…

The thing is you have to look at this statement in its broader context. To understand the bible properly as it is addressed to this day and time and to God’s born again children it is necessary to understand that this book, and in fact this whole section of Romans through Galatians, is what the word calls ‘milk’ or the basic principles we need to understand first when we are new, young believers. Back in chapter 3 we find this statement:

“1 Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal”

In these verses God points out that the Corinthian believers were ‘babes’ and even though they were saved they were still prone to hard hearted selfishness (envying, strife, divisions, bickering, etc.) and He relates this directly to their capacity to ‘bear’ or receive the ‘meat’ of His word, i.e.: the more advanced teachings of His word.

My point is this: Since the intended readers of this letter as well as this whole section (Rom-Gal) were new to the word of God and had not yet grown to maturity, many statements made throughout should be understood in the sense of “For the time being…”.

This is very obvious in 1 Cor 7 where we’re reading. Take a look at verse 1 again. It says “It is good for a man not to touch a woman”. Now I ask you, does that make any sense at all??? People, if a man didn’t touch a woman none of us would be here! How can that be ‘good’??? Well, it can be good ‘for the time being’ while you are young in the word.

Now, take a look at these verses: “1 Cor 7:27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned”. Once again you need to add the qualifier: ‘for the time being’ to get the understanding of what is really being said. Obviously it cannot mean that if someone who is divorced gets saved they are to remain divorced for the rest of their life. God is not stupid. It is saying just for now until you grow up into your maturity. Also note that this is more in the sense of loving suggestions than hard commands and it says if you don’t follow this it’s ok, God will still work in your life to make you grow and strengthen.

The place this is stated the most clearly is here in these verses: “32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.”

Do you see it? God is not saying never get married, never start a relationship; He is saying first it’s best to remain as you are, single is good, so you can put God first in your life and grow… THEN, when you have grown to maturity in walking with God, when you "...have your senses exercised to discern both good and evil - Heb 5:14" it is good to look into getting a wife and starting a family, NOT NOW. See it? I hope so, because it’s right there in the bible. Try reading this chapter now with that understanding and I think you will see what I mean.

Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. :amen:

[Sephania]

Because this is a very delicate issue and can be contentious thus naturally leading to violations I am putting this warning in here. I have already done much work in here because of violations. If any more occur I will close this thread.

Please be respectful in your postings and in full regard of the CF rules here.

Thank You
Zayit
Sr Moderator

[linssue55]

There have been a few threads lately regarding the bible's perspective on various sexual matters. I believe there is a lot of misunderstanding and confusion and that this represents a victory for the adversary and I want to do what I can to share the scriptures to shed light on these things. Further, I believe that through this, Satan has coused us to fall into a trap God warned us against in Isaiah 5:20:
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
God invented sex and, just as with all of His creation, He wants us to be happy and enjoy what He's given us. The first question I want to put out is this:
What does the word "fornication" mean?

To have sex OUTSIDE of marriage.

[mact]

By defining immorality from that passage he was attempting to help make it clear. This is all sexual immorality and looking at it in context we can see it is sin.


Since idolotry is also in the list it would tell us that they are seperate issues. Everything on that list is sin.
THanks.... that was my point.