Ephesians 5:5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Eph 5:5 NAS)
When Paul is writing to the Ephesians he points out that for this you know with certainty that some people who meet a defined qualification will have no place in the kingdom. This is not a matter of question, nor can grace save you if you meet these qualifications. Lets dig into the meaning of a few words and terms Paul chooses carefully.
Certainty
Meaning: to come to know, recognize, perceive
Origin: from a prim. root gno
Usage: ascertaining(1), aware(7), be sure(m)(4), come to know(1), comprehend(1), felt(1), find out(m)(3), found(2), kept a virgin*(m)(1), knew(13), know(105), know how(1), knowing(3), known(24), knows(13), learn(1),learned(1), perceived(1), perceiving(2), put(m)(1), realize(3), recognize(m)(7), recognized(1), recognizing(1), take notice(1), unaware*(2), understand(11), understood(6), virgin*(1), with certainty(1).
So the word ‘certainty’ can be translated as to come to know, recognize or perceive. Most of the time, 105, it is translated as know. So it would seem that we could say in modern English that this would be common knowledge, certainty.
Whoremonger/Immoral
4205 πόρνος pornos {por’-nos}
Meaning: 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
Origin: from pernemi (to sell, akin to the base of 4097); TDNT – 6:579,918; n m
Usage: AV – fornicator 5, whoremonger 5; 10
This seems to be straight forward as one who participates in unlawful sexual intercourse. This does not mean unlawful according to man’s law, those people practicing prostitution in Nevada where man has legalized it are safe. No, but God defines proper sexual relations in his word to leave no room for our own opinion.
Unclean/Impure person
169 ἀκάθαρτος akathartos {ak-ath’-ar-tos}
Meaning: 1) not cleansed, unclean 1a) in a ceremonial sense: that which must be abstained from according to the levitical law 1b) in a moral sense: unclean in thought and life
Origin: from 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of 2508 (meaning cleansed); TDNT – 3:427,381; adj
Usage: AV – unclean 28, foul 2; 30
Again, unclean is pretty straight forward where a person is not clean and not abstaining from things defined in God word. It is interesting to note that there is a moral sense of uncleanness in thought and life. Scripture tells to take thoughts captive in obedience to Messiah and elsewhere that you shall know them by their fruits. Thus the thought process and actions behind you decisions as you live your life can lead to uncleanness.
Covetous
4123 πλεονέκτης pleonektes {pleh-on-ek’-tace}
Meaning: 1) one eager to have more, esp. what belongs to others 2) greedy of gain, covetous
Origin: from 4119 and 2192; TDNT – 6:266,864; n m
Usage: AV – covetous 4; 4
Here we find greed, the desire to have what the Jones’ have. Measuring what “stuff” is in our homes to others is frond upon because God blesses people differently for things that our human eyes can’t see. Those who don’t attain a comfort level of where they are can be in jeopardy of being left outside the kingdom. Searching our hearts daily tells us if our desires are pure or to keep up with others.
Idolater
1496 εἰδωλολάτρης eidololatres {i-do-lol-at’-race}
Meaning: 1) a worshipper of false gods, a idolater 1a) used of any one even Christian, participant in any way in the worship of the heathen, esp. one who attends their sacrificial feasts and eats of the remains of offered victims 2) a covetous man as a worshipper of Mammon
Origin: from 1497 and the base of 3000; TDNT – 2:379,202; n m
Usage: AV – idolater 7; 7
It is interesting that scripture point out that a covetous man is an idolater in that he is placing other things before God. Our God is a jealous God and wants to be first as He should be for we were told by Jesus (Yeshua) to seek FIRST the kingdom of God (YHVH) and all this other ‘stuff’ will be added to us. Many people don’t realize that they have replaced YHVH (God) with their favorite sports team, musician or TV personality. This meaning goes beyond the statues we see in ancient Greece, Rome and some churches, which most recognize as idols. But there are others that we must assess ourselves as to where we are with that team.
Inheritance
2817 κληρονομία kleronomia {klay-ron-om-ee’-ah}
Meaning: 1) an inheritance, property received (or to be received) by inheritance 2) what is given to one as a possession 2a) the eternal blessedness of the consummated kingdom of God which is to be expected after the visible return of Christ 2b) the share which an individual will have in that eternal blessedness
Origin: from 2818; TDNT – 3:767,442; n f
Usage: AV – inheritance 14; 14
Another straight forward meaning here where we have the definition of property received in what is promised to those remaining in obedience and not removed from the ‘will.’
Kingdom
932 βασιλεία basileia {bas-il-i’-ah}
Meaning: 1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule 1a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom 1b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah 1c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom 2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king 3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah
Origin: from 935; TDNT – 1:579,97; n f
Usage: AV – kingdom (of God) 71, kingdom (of heaven) 32, kingdom (general or evil) 20, (Thy or Thine) kingdom 6, His kingdom 6, the kingdom 5, (My) kingdom 4, misc 18; 162
This word actually deals with the individual ruler or governor who rules over a kingdom. Then it could be said it is the government of a said land and in this case it is the land of YHVH (God) and His coming kingdom we are waiting for with Yeshua (Jesus) as the main leader. I was once told that scripture could not be applied to the government, but this word proves that statement false.
Do Not Be Deceived
This same idea was also written to the Corinthians is a far stronger statement than that made to the Ephesians.
1 Corinthians 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. (1Co 6:9-10 NAS)
As you see, Paul says for us not to be misled, have the wool pulled over our eyes, deceived, none of those listed in this verse will inherit the kingdom of God. There is no ‘saving grace’ for these people; the only course of action is the one true gospel that Yeshua (Jesus) preached… Repent for the kingdom (for which you shall inherit) is at hand. It doesn’t matter how hard some preacher preach that these things are ok for today, scripture stands in full battle array against them and the sword of the Word made flesh, Jesus will witness against their message.
Combining do not be deceived and knowing this for certain
It is important to see the full message Paul brings to us. Even though Paul wrote to differing audiences, the message was the same, but sometimes hard to understand as the early church leadership pointed out. In closing we can say that the message Paul was stating was this:
Do not be deceived, but know this with absolute certainty that those who are whoremongers, fornicators, covetous, idolaters, adulterers, unclean, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, drunkards, revilers, or swindlers will not under any circumstances inherit any part of the kingdom of YHVH (God) for which God (YHVH) sent his only son, Yeshua (Jesus) as His Word made flesh to take those things upon himself in your place, unless you repent and turn from your evil ways.
Now that’s a Paul sentence mouthful for you!
Amen Brother, and I thought I was the only one speaking such ‘Judgemental’ statements’. What has happened to the so called ‘Church’, they have become so greedy, idolatrous and lazy in warning people of the wrath of God that is about to come upon the earth. Christians are so ” Yeah Jesus is gentle and meek, He would never punish or reject me, besides I’m under His grace” even though they are living for themselves and not working out their ” salvation with fear and trembling.” Gentle Jesus meek and mild.
….
” But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.” AKJV ????
….
Where is the above scripture from? Old Testament? If you wish to find it, copy and paste it and see for yourself! When Jesus returns He comes as Christ. King Jesus Christ, to hold in account those servants who were entrusted with the keeping and maintenance of the Kingdom of God. What shall you say to Him when He asks, ” What have you done?”
….
” But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:3-7.
….
” This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 5-10.
….
Repent or change your ways this day if all of this is making you squirm in your seat, ask Jesus to forgive you and be covered with His precious blood. Do not wait till darkness comes and you fall asleep. Remember the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matt 25? They were ALL asleep when the bridegroom came! Do not leave it to late.
.
.
TwoCentsBob.
https://churchwatching.org/
Thank you for your input, it is much appreciated. Yes, Jesus came and was meek, however when he needed to was was bold. He drove out the money changers who ere defiling the Temple of God, he questioned false authorities asking them why they transgressed the commands of God with their man-made traditions. Today we see this heavily in most churches. Pastors and teachers alike turning their eyes away from the rampant sin in the body because they fear the donations would be down. They teach the commands are done away with and then ask for those donations which are part of the commands. Then many partake if the very sins they preach against making the word of God a joke to the body. This is a vicious circle that we must be willing to break.
Pingback: There is No Respect of Persons with God - Truth-Tradition