Hi.

I attempted to read your article on the meaning of fornication. Unfortunately, because I am auditory learner, and your article had so many words, I’m still lost as to the meaning of fornication. Would you please break it down simply for me?

Thank you.

S_______

Thank you for your question.

In scriptural terms, ‘fornication’ is the practice of putting church doctrine before the Word of God. For example, if your minister has convinced you that Christ’s words to “Love thine enemies” really means that you should join the military and kill your enemy, then you are guilty of ‘fornication.’ In such a case, you are saying that you are married to Jesus Christ, when in reality you despise His commandments.

You would be just like a wife who says that she loves her husband and yet she is breaking every vow she made. The concept that fornication is not something that a married person can engage in is not scriptural. Israel was God’s wife, and God condemned Israel for fornication.

Mat 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced [ Greek- put away- not ‘divorced’- there is a difference- see The Law of Moses Versus The Law Of The Spirit] committeth adultery.

So technically the definition of ‘fornication’ is not that different from adultery. Both involve infidelity or unfaithfulness. But fornication is a word that can be applied to the unfaithful actions of both unmarried and married persons whereas adultery is a sin committed by a person in a covenant relation only.

I hope I have helped you to see the difference in these two words.

Mike