In saying this we can see that there is spiritual ramifications of union to a heathen prostitute, and that our relation to her is spiritually unacceptable. That, of course, is the point of the passage. Since such fornication is incompatible with the kingdom (6:9), a willful joining with the forces of Satan’s kingdom in this way is treason. It is not as some Platonists or proto-Gnostics were apparently saying, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” that is, sexual relations are purely physical. No, there is spiritual alignment with the Devil in willful intercourse with a harlot. But this is not the same thing as saying that the one-flesh relationship is in itself a spiritual relationship, one way or the other. Were it so, Paul would have told the married believer to flee from her spouse just as he tells the believer to flee immorality. As we shall see later (in chap. 8), it is probably that very question (“Is being married to an unbeliever in itself acceptable, or should we divorce?) that brought about the admonition about desertion so much argued over today. It all depends upon whether the relationship is licit or licitly entered into-whether or not it is acceptable to a Holy God. 48
The new Ephesians passage cites the fresh Genesis text but does therefore merely about your believer’s reference to Jesus. Paul try distinguishing the kind of your own Christ-Church union. It’s a full time income union and you may, considering of many lifestyle-in addition to personal, a relationship that’s long lasting-nothing is ever going to independent the brand new believer regarding Lord. Continue reading “Thus i finish that the that-tissue matchmaking is not a spiritual commitment, no matter if a matchmaking ifications”