Day 1 A Revolutionary Different Attitude to Sex

A Revolutionary Different Attitude to Sex

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:3,4 (NIV)

In 4:17-24 Paul has spoken in general terms of putting off the old nature and putting on the new. In the last section (4:25-5:2) he spoke more particularly of putting off deceitfulness and animosity and replacing them with truth and love, in word, thought and action. Paul now turns from self-sacrifice to its opposite – self-indulgence – from genuine love to its perversion, to lust.

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.  Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving’ (5:3,4). This was a high and holy standard to demand, especially for the Ephesians. Immorality was rife throughout Asia. And since the Greek goddess, Artemis, ‘Diana of the Ephesians,’ was seen as a fertility goddess, sexual orgies were commonly associated with her worship. Sexual practice outside of marriage and sexual perversion of almost every kind were included under the word porneia (‘sexual immorality’ in NIV). Paul possibly includes ‘impurity’ and ‘greed’ as two branches of porneia. ‘Greed’ would focus on the coveting of somebody else’s body for sexual gratification (cf.4:19). This contradiction of God’s pattern of living should not happen amongst God’s people, ‘not … even a hint’ (5:3). This last phrase is more literally ‘let it not be named among you’ and brings to mind the Old Testament prohibition of mentioning even the names of the gods of the heathen and of speaking of the manner of their worship (Exodus 23:13; Deuteronomy 12:30; Psalm 16:4). Paul’s instruction is far stronger than the practices of God’s people, particularly in Western churches. We are not only to never involve ourselves in these things; we are to avoid thinking and talking about them.

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving’ (5:4). The term ‘obscenity’ comes from another word meaning ‘shame or disgrace.’ All that would make a morally sensitive person feel ashamed is prohibited; ‘foolish talk’ comes from a word meaning ‘dull or stupid’; ‘coarse jesting’ is an interpretive translation of a term that meant ‘quick or versatile.’ Paul was probably thinking of ‘witty talk’ (the other end of the spectrum to the talk of fools) but talk that too easily crossed a line away from godliness. In a play on words he tells his readers to replace eutrapelia (‘coarse jesting’) with eucharistia (‘thanksgiving’). Coarse speech needs to be replaced by gracious speech. ‘Thanksgiving’ focusses on God’s generosity while sexual impurity and greed focus on selfish ‘wants.’ Paul at heart probably saw impurity and greed typifying the pagan attitude toward sex and thanksgiving typifying the Christian attitude. He saw the dangers of flippant talk and if conversation was about sex, possessions or people, saw that it should be directed by the spirit of thanksgiving and praise (cf. Hebrews 13:15; 1 Peter 4:11), seeing and acknowledging the grace of God’s gifts. This would always keep speech pure and uplifting.

This love has nothing to do with sexual immorality, lust or greed – for you are his holy ones and let no one be able to accuse you of them in any form. Guard your speech. Forsake obscenities and worthless insults: these are nonsensical words that bring disgrace and are unnecessary. Instead, let worship fill your heart and spill out in your words as you remind each other of God’s goodness   Ephesians 5:3,4 (The Passion Translation)

This self-giving for others is pleasing to God. As with Christ, so with us, self-sacrificial love is ‘a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God’ (5:2). The words Paul uses for ‘fragrant offering’ and ‘sacrifice’ are used in the Septuagint of Psalm 40:6 (quoted in Hebrews 10:5). The leading thought here in 5:2 is how Christ was an ‘imitator’ of God the Father and how we, as ‘dearly loved children,’ need to similarly walk in obedience to Him. The Old Testament sacrifices were spoken of as a ‘sweet savour’ (Authorised Version) to express metaphorically their acceptability to God (Genesis 8:21; Exodus 29:18,25,41; Leviticus 1:9,13,17). The sacrifice of Christ was infinitely more pleasing to the Father. The life that those in Christ live in sacrificial self-giving to God has a fragrance to God and in the world. Paul’s other two uses of the expression illustrate the point. To Paul the gift of the Christians in Philippi was a fragrance (Philippians 4:18), as he saw his own life calling to be ‘an aroma of Christ’ to God (2 Corinthians 2:14-16) and to spread the ‘fragrance of the knowledge of him’ (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.

Follow God and imitate all he does in everything you do, for then you will represent your Father as his beloved sons and daughters. And continue to walk surrendered to the extravagant love of Christ, for he surrendered his life as a sacrifice for us. His great love for us was pleasing to God, like an aroma of adoration – a sweet healing fragrance in heaven and earth Ephesians 4:31 – 5:2 (the Passion Translation)

Categories

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top