Eph 5:3, 5 | JFB | e4.org | 3. once named — Greek, "Let it not be even named" ( ). "Uncleanness" and "covetousness" are taken up again from . The two are so closely allied that the Greek for "covetousness" ( pleonexia ) is used sometimes in Scripture, and often in the Greek Fathers, for sins of impurity. The common principle is the longing to fill one's desire with material objects of sense, outside of God. The expression, "not be even named," applies better to impurity, than to "covetousness."

‏ Ephesians 5:3

3. once named—Greek, "Let it not be even named" (Eph 5:4, 12). "Uncleanness" and "covetousness" are taken up again from Eph 4:19. The two are so closely allied that the Greek for "covetousness" (pleonexia) is used sometimes in Scripture, and often in the Greek Fathers, for sins of impurity. The common principle is the longing to fill one's desire with material objects of sense, outside of God. The expression, "not be even named," applies better to impurity, than to "covetousness."

‏ Ephesians 5:5

5. this ye know—The oldest manuscripts read, "Of this ye are sure knowing"; or as ALFORD, "This ye know being aware."

covetous . . . idolater— (Col 3:5). The best reading may be translated, That is to say, literally, which is (in other words) an idolater. Paul himself had forsaken all for Christ (2Co 6:10; 11:27). Covetousness is worship of the creature instead of the Creator, the highest treason against the King of kings (1Sa 15:3; Mt 6:24; Php 3:19; 1Jo 2:15).

hath—The present implies the fixedness of the exclusion, grounded on the eternal verities of that kingdom [ALFORD].

of Christ and of God—rather, as one Greek article is applied to both, "of Christ and God," implying their perfect oneness, which is consistent only with the doctrine that Christ is God (compare 2Th 1:12; 1Ti 5:21; 6:13).