Ephesians 5:3. “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints:”
Yesterday I mentioned that the worship of the goddess Diana was corrupt with sexual sin. It was so much a part of the culture that very few were not affected by it. Here, Paul steps up to the plate, so to speak, and tells the Ephesian believers that there must be NO such behavior for them. No kind of impurity or greed should be evident in their lives.
I’ve been thinking about the struggle it must have been for some of them. Steeped in a religion that not only encouraged sin, but also demanded it, they must have been amazed at what the apostle was teaching them. It was a complete 180 change for them. Their families who were not believers would have questioned them about their lack of participation in Diana-worship.I’m sure there was mockery and derision, and perhaps threats of disowning them from the family .Maybe there was physical retribution. They may have lost their jobs and become outcasts.
This command was far more than just a directive against sexual immorality. I required a complete change in lifestyle that would affect everyone the Ephesian believers were related to and knew in the community.
Linda's Bible Study 