For know this, recognizing that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous person, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Truth to Learn
Christians should act like Christians, not heathens.
Behind the Words
The words “know this, recognizing” are translated from the two Greek words este ginōskontes. The word este means “you (plural) are.” However, the better texts have iste ginōskontes. The word iste is a form of eidō, meaning “to see” or “to perceive.” Ginōskontes is a participial form of ginōskō (to know or understand). Now, whereas eidō suggests intuitive knowledge or understanding, ginōskō suggests acquired or experiential knowledge. Iste is expressed here in the imperative mood, therefore the opening part of this verse should be translated as “… know this, recognizing (by your own experience) that …”
The words “fornicator,” “unclean person,” and “covetous man” are based on the same root words as “fornication,” “uncleanness,” and “greediness,” which we saw in verse three. In that verse they referred to the sinful actions, whereas in this verse they refer to the people who habitually perform such sinful actions.
“Inheritance” is translated from klēronomia. This is based on klēros, which refers to a “lot” or “portion” and nemō, meaning “to hold.” Thus klēronomia refers to the possession of a portion of an inheritance.
Meaning Explained
In verse three Paul introduced three types of life styles that he said are not “appropriate” for Christians. He told us that we should be walking in love instead. Then, in verse four he talked about avoiding other actions (obscenity, foolish talking, and coarse jesting) that exemplify the three lifestyles mentioned in verse three.
He now explains why fornication, uncleanness, and greediness are not appropriate for us. To the first century Greek mind a fornicator was someone whose life was defined by fornication. Likewise, an unclean person or a covetous person was not someone who occasionally committed an act of uncleanness or of greediness; it was someone whose life was characterized by uncleanness or greediness. So, Paul is not saying that anyone who occasionally covets something will be barred from heaven. If that were the case, none of us would be part of God’s kingdom. What Paul is saying is that since those fornicators, unclean people, and covetousness people will not be part of God’s kingdom, then we Christians should not resemble them in any of our actions.
Notice, now, that Paul equates covetousness with idolatry. Idolatry is when we consider anything in God’s creation of greater value than God Himself. In other words, when we have a greater desire for “stuff” than for acquiring a close personal relationship with God, we are worshipping an idol.
Let me give you an example from my own life. When I was in college, I had a beautiful little sports car. I loved that car. I kept it clean and waxed, looking beautiful. I enjoyed driving it and being seen in that car. Through a series of unexplainable events (read this as “God caused certain things to happen”) the hood of the car received a huge, ugly gash in it. And it happened on the day that my car insurance expired while I was driving it to the insurance office to reinstate my insurance. I quickly realized that this car had become an idol to me and God effectively tarnished my idol! I had to drive that car with the ugly gash in the hood for several years. It was a constant reminder to me that my relationship with God is more important than “stuff.”
Application
Do your actions give evidence that you are part of God’s family or do you resemble people of the world and those who worship idols? Let’s all recommit ourselves to living like God’s children and to confessing and forsaking everything else.
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved