With regard to the meaning of porneia, Ron quotes W.E. Vine (An Expository Dictionary of NT Words) as suggesting "it is used of illicit sexual intercourse and it includes adultery." Ron also points out that Vine states the term may be used literally or metaphorically, and that in the latter case the word "is to be understood as idolatry." In references from several other sources (see his post), Ron understands the meaning of this term to be: "prostitution, unchastity, fornication, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse."

It obviously is a very general term and covers a wide range of sexual misbehavior. Further, it can even refer to spiritual unfaithfulness, such as idolatry. It is used in this way quite a number of times in Scripture. According to Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Vol. 6), it is used of "all extra-marital and unnatural intercourse ... and unnatural vice." It also refers to "apostasy from God." It additionally was used, according to Kittel, in the following way: "In the early period, especially in nomadic life, it was customary for a young girl to be married in her own tribe. Sometimes young men might break the custom and marry girls from a neighbouring tribe." Thus, this word "is used for the woman whose husband does not belong to her tribe." In a similar vein, in a footnote in the NAB (New American Bible, St. Joseph Edition), we read: "A growing number of scholars consider this to refer to Christians who, prior to their conversion, had married within the prohibited degree of blood relationship as stated in Lev. 18:6-18."

Not the following excerpt from Chapter Six of my book Down, But Not Out in which I briefly allude to the wide range of meaning and usage of this term:

• A good, general operational definition of this word is "any illicit sexual activity." As one can quickly perceive, this is broad enough to embrace a wide variety of such illicit activity, including incest, prostitution, homosexuality, child molestation, and bestiality, just to name a few. It is also general enough in scope to encompass all illicit sexual activity engaged in both prior to and following a covenant of marriage. There is nothing inherent within the word itself that suggests this activity is restricted solely to the premarital state, although some promote such a view. It should also not be overlooked that porneia is used in the New Testament writings to discuss acts of lewdness, uncleanness, and even idolatry. Thus, one can easily see the word has a very wide range of meaning and application.

• Some scholars, embracing the view that porneia refers exclusively to illicit sexual activity prior to a covenant of marriage, maintain Jesus teaches in the so-called "exception clause" that the only acceptable cause of divorce is the discovery by one of the spouses, after a covenant of marriage has been effected, that their mate had committed some illicit sexual act prior to their covenant of marriage. If a man believed his wife to have been a virgin at the time of their marriage, for example, only to discover later that she had been sexually active prior to their relationship, then, according to this view, he has "just cause" to terminate the covenant of marriage. To help validate this perception of the so-called "exception clause" they cite Deuteronomy 22:13-21, and also the determination of Joseph to divorce Mary.

• Other scholars view porneia as encompassing far more than just the physical aspects of an illicit sexual act; it is perceived as constituting any illicit spiritual activity as well. If one's spouse commits spiritual fornication with the world --- an idolater, or one engaged in a love affair with worldly pleasures, or simply an unbeliever, for example --- this also is seen as "just cause" for divorce. In their opinion, this is the significance of Paul's statement to the saints in the city of Corinth: "But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances" (I Corinthians 7:15).

• Since the meaning and usage of porneia is so broad, even within the pages of the New Testament writings, it is rather inappropriate for any person or group to declare dogmatically that Jesus had only ONE of these many conceivable applications in mind when He issued His so-called "exception clause." There is simply no obvious, indisputable basis upon which to make such a narrow determination. Since the Lord Himself chose not to specify any particular application or meaning, it is at least logical to assume He may have intended it to be far more general than specific. After all, any of the many aspects of porneia would be sufficient in and of itself to seriously jeopardize a covenant of marriage, if not destroy it. Why single out only ONE when EACH represents such a real threat to this sacred union?

Thus, when we speak of "fornication" (porneia) in our proposition, we are actually utilizing a biblical term with an extremely wide range of possible meaning and application. It behooves us, therefore, not to overly narrow our focus with regard to meaning or usage. There could be any number of unacceptable, illicit types of behavior in view here which could lead to the breakdown of a covenant of marriage. There is even the distinct possibility that actions and attitudes other than sexual indiscretion may be included in this general term. Most strict traditionalist interpretations restrict the meaning of porneia to a SEX ACT, but that is far more restrictive and exclusive than is warranted by the word itself.

I would be interested in knowing the views of Ron with regard to this matter, and just how restrictive his interpretation might be with reference to this word in our proposition. In other words, when he declares "a married person who divorces his or her spouse for any reason other than FORNICATION, and marries another, is a person who keeps on committing adultery," what exactly does he mean by "fornication," and what specifically would he include or exclude with regard to meaning and application? For example, would Ron include or exclude the idea of idolatry here? Would Ron accept only the literal meaning of the term, or would he be willing to accept a spiritual, figurative, or metaphorical meaning as well? Such questions really need to be addressed before we can proceed to the other points of our proposal.

Let me state my own position for the record. As stated in the above quotation from my book, I would hesitate to limit the meaning and usage of this term to only one of its many meanings and applications when there is no indication in the text itself that Jesus has done so. With no specific contextual direction in the matter, the principles of hermeneutics dictate that the general is to be preferred over the specific, limited and restrictive use.

Therefore, I personally would not exclude spiritual unfaithfulness, for example, as a valid interpretation and application of porneia in our proposition. As is indicated in I Corinthians 7, this too can be the cause of marital breakdown, and it is at least possible our Lord had this in view here to some degree. To limit this word to a sexual application only, is in my view far too restrictive.

I hope this rather brief overview of porneia will serve to encourage others to further study of this word as it is used in God's Word. I also eagerly await Ron's further analysis, and the answers to my above questions.

• Al Maxey