Forbidden Sins
T. Manton, D. D. Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; I. To fix the sense. First: The manner and degree of forbidding — "Let it not be once named among you." You will think this over-strict; and how can it be reproved if it be not named? But let us consider the sense. 1. The apostle speaketh thus to express the height of detestation; for things that we utterly detest we will not name. "Never let these foul practices get the least admission among you." 2. Some sins are more catching than others; the very mention of them may revive and stir the motions of them in an unmortified heart. And uncleanness and fornication are of this nature, because they tend immediately to please the flesh; other sins more remotely. 3. There is a naming of these things which is very sinful, and that two ways. (1) When it is done in such a brood and coarse way, or nasty language, as doth invite rather than rebuke sin. (2) When we seek to palliate foul deeds with handsome and plausible names, and so speak of these things with allowance and extenuation, and not with extreme detestation.Secondly, the reason — "As it becometh saints"; that is, Christians or believers; all of them are saints, or should be saints. 1. Some are so only by external dedication and profession; as by baptism they are set apart for God as a clean and holy people. 2. Others are saints by internal regeneration, as sanctified and renewed by the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5). Now these things are contrary to the disposition and spirit of saints, or to the holy, new, and Divine nature which is put into them. II. What purity and cleanness of heart belongeth to Christians. In the Scripture they are everywhere described by it, "With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure '" (Psalm 18:18); "Ye are clean through the word which I have spoken to you" (John 15:3); "Surely God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart" (Psalm 73:1); "Separate yourselves from the unclean thing, and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:17); and in other places. Let us see what obligations lie upon us to be clean and pure. 1. We are consecrated to the service of a holy God. 2. We profess the most holy faith; this obligeth us also, whether we took to the laws of God, which are the rule of our duty, or the promises of God, which are the charter of our hopes. 3. Because of our present communion with God and service of God. III. The special impurity that is in such sins, so that holiness must be forsaken, or else these vices so opposite to holiness. What special impurity is there in those sins? 1. They defile the body, and are contrary to the dignity of the body, as it is a member of Christ, a temple of the Holy Ghost, or an instrument to be used for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 6:18). 2. Uncleanness corrupts and defileth the mind; for it turneth it from the true pleasure to the false, and that procured on the basest terms of downright sin against God.What need we have to work in Christians a greater abhorrence of fornication and uncleanness, because it is a common sin and a grievous sin. 1. It is a common sin; and then it is time to cry aloud and spare not, when persons, both single and married, make so little conscience of this duty. 2. It is a grievous sin. We will endeavour to touch them in the tenderest part that is left, viz., fear. "Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge" (Hebrews 13:4). Men think it a small matter to satisfy nature, but God will find them out both here and hereafter. There fell in one day twenty-three thousand for this sin (1 Corinthians 10:8). It unfitteth for every holy duty. Holy and sacred things never can be seriously received by sensual minds and hearts. Caution to young men that are not yet taken in the snare. Keep yourselves at a great distance from and great abhorrence of this sin. Therefore, first, avoid occasions (Proverbs 5:8). Advice to all Christians. Upon all occasions, think what will become saints. Let the consciousness of your dedication to God be ever upon your heart. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; WEB: But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;