immorality

In the First Letter to the Corinthians 6:12–20 (NABRE), Paul warns the Corinthians against a particular sin of the body translated in the Mass readings as immorality. This translation is a bit confusing as we tend to use the word immorality to refer to any sinful act rather than to any specific category, though Paul seems to have something particular in mind.

The Greek word used in this context is πορνεία (porneia), one of the roots of the English “pornography.” Porneia refers to sexual intercourse outside of allowed bounds. Paul’s point is that as we become one spirit in Christ our bodies likewise become one with the Lord, and so we should act accordingly. Our bodies are meant to be temples of the Holy Spirit and as such no longer belong only to us but rather to God.

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