FLEE
FORNICATION
1 Corinthians 6:15-20
Albert Farley
The apostle John wrote that the whole world lies in wickedness. 1 Jn 5:19; Rom 3:9-19, 23. Sin lies at the very heart of every pain, suffering, sorrow, tear, heartache, and death the world has suffered or will suffer. One of the most commonly committed and accepted sins is fornication. The world is full of fornication, and our nation is no exception. Jer 23:10.
What is fornication? Our English word fornication is the translation of the Greek word porneia, defined as, “harlotry, adultery, incest, fornication.” In its narrow sense, the Bible defines fornication as unlawful sexual acts between those unmarried. 1 Cor 6:9. More broadly, it is unlawful sexual acts with those married. Mt 5:32; 19:9. In its widest use, it describes all manner of sexual immorality, including adultery, sodomy, incest, prostitution, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, etc. 1 Cor 5:1, 11; 6:18.
Condemned in every dispensation of time. Sodom and Gomorrah, Gen 19:24, 25. The Ten Commandments. Ex 20:14. Jesus Christ strongly warned of it and condemned it in His New Testament. Mt 5:28-32; Rom 1:21-32; 1 Cor 10:8; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 4:17-19; Jude 7.
Fornication is a grievous sin against everyone. It is against God and Jesus Christ; against those with whom it is committed; against one’s own body; against innocent family members; against the church; against unbelievers.
Christ and Corinth. Corinth had a reputation of living in pleasure and wickedness. Ancient Corinth had a temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, lust, and passion, which employed 1,000 temple prostitutes. To “Corinthianize” was to live in fornication. However, when Paul came to Corinth in c. 54 and preached “Christ and Him crucified,” many believed, repented, were baptized, and added to the church! Acts 18:8; Rom 1:16, 17; 1 Cor 2:1-5.
Fornication in the church. Later, Paul wrote a letter to Corinth, addressing serious problems in the church. One involved a man who was living in fornication with his father’s wife and, instead of mourning, the church was “puffed up” [arrogant]. Paul strongly commanded the church to deliver this man to Satan – that his spirit might be saved. 1 Cor 5:9-13. They were to disfellowship and have no company with him. Eph 5:11, 12.
Fornication can be forgiven in Christ. The church obeyed Paul’s letter. This man repented and was forgiven. 2 Cor 2:6-11. David was forgiven of his adultery when he repented and confessed his sin. 2 Sam 12. Jesus forgave the woman taken in adultery and commanded her to sin no more. Jn 8:10, 11. In 1 Cor 6:9-11, Paul reminded the church that some of them, prior to their obedience to the gospel, had been fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers and extortioners but they had been washed, sanctified, and justified in Jesus Christ! The blood of Christ washed and cleansed all of their sins when they obeyed the gospel. Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:36-47; 22:16; Eph 5:25, 26; Rev 1:5.
It can be avoided and overcome. How? By walking in the light of Christ through faith and love. Eph 5. By putting to death the deeds of the flesh. Rom 8:12, 13; By marriage. 1 Cor 7:1-9; Heb 13:4. By keeping our hearts. Job 31:1; Prov 4:23; Mt 15:19, 20. By avoiding tempting situations: Joseph, Gen 39:7-12. By paying attention to warnings: Jam 1:14-16. God is faithful and will always make a way of escape for us. 1 Cor 10:13.
May we flee fornication! 1 Cor 6:18. Our eternal life depends on it.