FORNICATION

The Greek term porne is a comprehensive term, covering every sort of illicit sexual activity by human beings. Note: (a) Unmarried people who desire to vent their sexual appetites may marry; otherwise, such activity is "fornication" (1 Cor. 7:2). (b) The married person who has sexual relations with someone other than his/her spouse, in addition to committing adultery, has committed fornication -- the latter term embracing the former (Mt. 5:32; 19:9). Jesus taught that the only valid reason for a divorce, and subsequent remarriage, is when one marriage partner commits fornication against his/her innocent victim. (c) Homosexual conduct is also fornication, as Jude 7 clearly indicates. The rebellious fornicator is subject to disciplinary action by the church (1 Cor. 5), and those who persist in this sin cannot enter heaven (1 Cor. 6:9-10). Sometimes the term "fornication" is used symbolically to denote apostasy from the faith (Rev. 17:2; 19:2).