Impurity | Bible Class on the Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).
When you hear the word “impurity,” what comes to mind?
The Greek term akatharsia refers to uncleanness or foulness of a wound. Or dirt. Or depravity. Or ceremonial uncleanness.
Matthew 23:27 uses the term in a literal sense. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.” In what way(s) is a tomb full of “everything unclean?”
Paul uses the term in Romans 1:24 to describe God’s reaction to pagan homosexuals. “Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.” The New International Version translates “impurity” here as “sexual impurity.” That is undoubtedly the meaning. The American Standard Version translates Romans 1:24 more literally: “Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves.” How is sexual immorality—specifically homosexual acts in the context of Romans 1—“uncleanness?”
Impurity is the opposite of holiness. “Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness” (Rom 6:19). What is holiness? How is impurity the opposite of holiness?
Paul feared that he would find the Corinthians having not repented of their impurity. “I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged” (2 Cor 12:21). What does the grouping of impurity with sexual immorality and debauchery teach us about impurity?
About the Gentiles, Paul says, “Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed” (Eph 4:19). Notice the use of “every kind of impurity.” Just as porneia is a broad term for various kinds of sexual activity, akatharsia is a broad term for different kinds of sin. Impurity is the opposite of life in Jesus (Eph 4:20-24). How is impurity the opposite of life in Jesus?
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people” (Eph 5:3). Why can there not be “even a hint” of “any kind of impurity” among the people of God? What harm comes when there is impurity among “God’s holy people?”
Impurity must be put to death. “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry” (Col 3:5). How does one put impurity to death?
Paul did not use impurity to trick the Thessalonians. “For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you” (1 Thess 2:3). American Standard Version: “For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile.” How might preachers make their appeal from uncleanness?
In a context of sexual immorality, Paul writes: “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thess 4:7). Again, notice that impurity is the opposite of holiness.
This Bible class was originally taught by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at Church of Christ Deer Park in Deer Park, Texas.