Albert Barnes Commentary Ephesians 5:3

"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;" — Ephesians 5:3 (ASV)

But fornication. This was a common vice among the Gentiles then, as it is now, and one into which they were in special danger of falling (see the notes on Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 6:18).

And all uncleanness. This refers to impurity of life (see the notes on Romans 1:24).

Compare Romans 6:9; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19; Colossians 3:5.

Or covetousness. The connection in which this word is found is remarkable. It is associated with the lowest and most debasing vices, and this, as well as those vices, was not once to be named among them. What was Paul’s estimate, then, of covetousness? He considered it an odious and abominable vice, a vice to be regarded in the same light as the most gross sin, and as wholly to be abhorred by all who bear the Christian name . According to Paul, the covetous man is to be ranked with the sensual and with idolaters (Ephesians 5:5), and with those who are entirely excluded from the kingdom of God. Is this the estimate in which the vice is held now? Is it the view which professing Christians take of it? Do we not feel that there is a great difference between a covetous man and a man of impure and licentious life? Why is this? Because:

1. it is so common;
2. because it is found among those who make pretensions to refinement and even religion;
3. because it is not so easy to define what covetousness is, as it is to define impurity of life; and
4. because the public conscience is seared, and the mind blinded to the low and groveling character of the sin.

Yet, is not Paul’s view the right view? Who is a covetous man? A man who, in the pursuit of gold, neglects his soul, his intellect, and his heart. A man who, in this insatiable pursuit, is regardless of justice, truth, charity, faith, prayer, peace, comfort, usefulness, and conscience. Who will say that there is any vice more debasing or degrading than this?

The time may come, therefore, when the covetous man will be regarded as deserving the same rank in public estimation with the most vicious, and when TO COVET will be considered as much opposed to the spirit of the gospel as any of the vices named here. When that time comes, the world’s conversion will probably not be a distant event.

Let it not be once named among you. That is, let it not exist; let there be no occasion for mentioning such a thing among you; let it be wholly unknown. This cannot mean that it is wrong to mention these vices for the purpose of rebuking them or cautioning those in danger of committing them—for Paul himself mentions them in this manner here and frequently elsewhere—but that they should not exist among them.

As becometh saints. This means as befits the character of Christians, who are regarded as holy. Literally, “as becometh holy ones”—hagiois.