sexual immorality, immorality, immoral, fornication

Definition

The term “sexual immorality” refers to sexual activity that takes place outside the marriage relationship of a man and a woman. This is against God’s plan. Older English Bible versions call this “fornication.”

• This term can refer to any kind of sexual activity that is against God’s will, including homosexual acts and pornography.
• One type of sexual immorality is adultery, which is sexual activity specifically between a married person and someone who is not that person’s spouse.
• Another type of sexual immorality is “prostitution,” which involves being paid to have sex with someone.
• This term is also used figuratively to refer to Israel’s unfaithfulness to God when they worshiped false gods.

Translation Suggestions

• The term “sexual immorality” could be translated as “immorality” as long as the correct meaning of the term is understood.
• Other ways to translate this term could include “wrong sexual acts” or “sex outside of marriage.”
• This term should be translated in a different way from the term “adultery.”
• The translation of this term’s figurative uses should retain the literal term if possible since there is a common comparison in the Bible between unfaithfulness to God and unfaithfulness in the sexual relationship.

(See also: adultery, false god, prostitute, faithful)

Bible References

• Acts 15:20
• Acts 21:25-26
• Colossians 3:5-8
• Ephesians 5:3
• Genesis 38:24-26
• Hosea 4:13-14
• Matthew 5:31-32
• Matthew 19:7-9

Word Data

• Strong’s: H2181, H8457, G16080, G42020, G42030