Charles Ellicott 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, and all uncleanness, or Christian light covetousness.—Fornication” is closely joined (as in 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Colossians 3:5) with “uncleanness,” of which general sin it is a flagrant species. It is distinguished (as also in Colossians 3:5) from “covetousness,” or greediness. “Uncleanness” is a sin against our own body and soul (see 1 Corinthians 6:18); “covetousness” (literally, the insatiable desire for more) is a sin against our neighbour. At the same time, the constant connection of the two words suggests the truth which is conveyed by the union of the two kinds of “coveting” in the Tenth Commandment, namely, that the temper of selfish and unbridled concupiscence has a twofold direction—to the covetousness of lust, and to the covetousness of avarice—the one perhaps especially a vice of youth, and the other of old age.

On Ephesians 5:3-14:

(3b)Ephesians 5:3–14 warn, with even greater fullness and emphasis, against the sins of impurity and lust, as incompatible with membership of the kingdom of heaven, as works of darkness, impossible to those who are children of light.