Ephesians 5:5

Amplified Bible

For be sure of this: no immoral, impure, or greedy person—for that one is [in effect] an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God [for such a person places a higher value on something other than God].

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
You can be sure of this: No one will have a place in the kingdom of Christ and of God if that person commits sexual sins, or does evil things, or is a person who selfishly wants more and more. A greedy person like that is serving a false god.

Revised Standard Version
Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For this ye knowe yt no whormonger other vnclene person or coveteous person which is the worshipper of ymages hath eny inheritaunce in the kyngdome of Christ and of God.

Hebrew Names Version
Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Messiah and God.

New American Standard Bible
For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

New Century Version
You can be sure of this: No one will have a place in the kingdom of Christ and of God who sins sexually, or does evil things, or is greedy. Anyone who is greedy is serving a false god.

Update Bible Version
For this you know for sure, that anyone who is a fornicator, or unclean, or greedy (that is, an idolater) has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Webster's Bible Translation
For this ye know, that no lewd, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

English Standard Version
For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

World English Bible
Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, or unclean person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Weymouth's New Testament
For be well assured that no fornicator or immoral person and no money-grubber--or in other words idol-worshipper--has any share awaiting him in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For wite ye this, and vndurstonde, that ech letchour, or vnclene man, or coueytouse, that serueth to mawmetis, hath not eritage in the kingdom of Crist and of God.

English Revised Version
For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, which is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Berean Standard Bible
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Contemporary English Version
Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure that people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God.

American Standard Version
For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Bible in Basic English
Being certain of this, that no man who gives way to the passions of the flesh, no unclean person, or one who has desire for the property of others, or who gives worship to images, has any heritage in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Complete Jewish Bible
For of this you can be sure: every sexually immoral, impure or greedy person — that is, every idol-worshipper — has no share in the Kingdom of the Messiah and of God.

Darby Translation
For this ye are [well] informed of, knowing that no fornicator, or unclean person, or person of unbridled lust, who is an idolater, has inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and God.

International Standard Version
For you know very well that no immoral or impure person, or anyone who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19,21; Colossians 3:5; 1 Timothy 6:17; Revelation 22:15;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
But this know, that any man who is a fornicator, or impure, or covetous, or an idolater, hath no inheritance in the kingdom of the Meshiha and of Aloha;

Murdock Translation
For this know ye, that every man who is a whoremonger, or impure, or avaricious, or a worshipper of idols, hath no inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God.

King James Version (1611)
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor vncleane person, nor couetous man who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdome of Christ, and of God.

New Living Translation
You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

New Life Bible
Be sure of this! No person who does sex sins or who is not pure will have any part in the holy nation of Christ and of God. The same is true for the person who always wants what other people have. This becomes a god to him.

New Revised Standard
Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Geneva Bible (1587)
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, neither vncleane person, nor couetous person, which is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdome of Christ, and of God.

George Lamsa Translation
You should know this: that no one guilty of fornication, or unclean person, or covetous man who serves idols, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, this, ye know, if ye take note - that no fornicator, or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and God.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For know you this and understand: That no fornicator or unclean or covetous person (which is a serving of idols) hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
For this ye knowe, that no whoremonger, neither vncleane person, nor couetous person, which is a worshipper of images, hath any inheritaunce in the kyngdome of Christe, and of God.

Good News Translation
You may be sure that no one who is immoral, indecent, or greedy (for greed is a form of idolatry) will ever receive a share in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

Christian Standard Bible®
For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

King James Version
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Lexham English Bible
For this you know for certain, that every sexually immoral person, or unclean person, or greedy person (who is an idolater), does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Literal Translation
For be knowing this, that every fornicator, or unclean one, or covetous one , who is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Young's Literal Translation
for this ye know, that every whoremonger, or unclean, or covetous person, who is an idolater, hath no inheritance in the reign of the Christ and God.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For be sure, that no whore monger, or vncleane person, or couetous person (which is a worshipper off ymages) hath inheritaunce in the kyngdome of Christ and of God.

Mace New Testament (1729)
for this you know, that no licentious or dissolute person, no lewd libertine, that is, an idolater, hath any part in the kingdom of Christ, and of God.

THE MESSAGE
You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them—the usual variations on idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God.

New English Translation
For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

New King James Version
For this you know, [fn] that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Simplified Cowboy Version
There ain't a place on God's outfit for the immoral or greedy. A greedy cowboy makes a god out of what he wants, not the one who saved him.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Legacy Standard Bible
For this you know with certainty, that no one sexually immoral or impure or greedy, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Contextual Overview

³But sexual immorality and all [moral] impurity [indecent, offensive behavior] or greed must not even be hinted at among you, as is proper among saints [for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith]. ⁴Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God]. ⁵For be sure of this: no immoral, impure, or greedy person—for that one is [in effect] an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God [for such a person places a higher value on something other than God].⁶Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin]. ⁷So do not participate or even associate with them [in the rebelliousness of sin]. ⁸For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light] ⁹(for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), ¹⁰trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation]. ¹¹Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character]; ¹²for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

this: 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 6:10, Galatians 5:19, Galatians 5:21

that no: Ephesians 5:3, Hebrews 13:4

who is: Galatians 5:21, Colossians 3:5, 1 Timothy 6:10, 1 Timothy 6:17, Revelation 21:8, Revelation 22:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 20:3 - General Joshua 2:1 - to spy secretly Judges 16:18 - brought money Psalms 10:3 - whom Proverbs 2:18 - General Proverbs 5:22 - sins Jeremiah 7:9 - steal Ezekiel 3:18 - I say Ezekiel 3:21 - if thou Ezekiel 14:3 - these men Ezekiel 33:31 - but their Matthew 19:22 - for Matthew 25:34 - inherit Mark 10:22 - for Luke 18:23 - he was very sorrowful Acts 24:26 - hoped 1 Corinthians 5:11 - or covetous 2 Corinthians 12:21 - uncleanness Philippians 3:18 - I have Hebrews 12:14 - no man Hebrews 12:16 - any fornicator Hebrews 13:5 - conversation 2 Peter 2:10 - in the Revelation 21:27 - there

Cross-References

Genesis 3:19
"By the sweat of your face You will eat bread Until you return to the ground, For from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return."

Genesis 5:7
Seth lived eight hundred and seven years after the birth of Enosh, and he had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:8
So Seth lived nine hundred and twelve years, and he died.

Genesis 5:10
Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years after the birth of Kenan and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:11
So Enosh lived nine hundred and five years, and he died.

Genesis 5:12
When Kenan was seventy years old, he became the father of Mahalalel.

Genesis 5:14
So Kenan lived nine hundred and ten years, and he died.

Genesis 5:21
When Enoch was sixty-five years old, he became the father of Methuselah.

Genesis 5:22
Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God three hundred years after the birth of Methuselah and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:32
After Noah was five hundred years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For this ye know,.... Or, "know ye this", as the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read:

that no whoremonger, nor unclean person; anyone that is guilty of fornication, adultery, incest, c.

Nor covetous man, who is an idolater: as every man is, that indulges his lusts, the idols of his own heart and who serves divers lusts and pleasures, and gives up himself to work all uncleanness with greediness; never having his fill of sin, but is ever craving and coveting it; as well as he who is immoderately desirous of worldly things: the covetous man may be called an idolater, because the idolater and he worship the same in substance, gold and silver, and brass, or what is made of them; the covetous man admires his gold, lays it up, and will not make use of it, as if it was something sacred; and through his over love to mammon, whom he serves, he neglects the worship of God, and the good of his own soul, and puts his trust and confidence in his riches: now no such person

hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and of God; meaning either a Gospel church state, in which persons of such characters, and living in such sins, ought not to be; or else the kingdom of heaven and of glory, which may be called the kingdom of Christ, because it is in his hands, for his people; and it is his righteousness that gives a title to it, and his Spirit and grace which make meet for it; and it is by his power saints are preserved unto it; and he will put them into the possession of it; and which will greatly consist in the enjoyment of him: and this is also the kingdom of God, either of Christ who is God, or of God the Father; it being of his preparing and giving, and which he calls unto, and makes meet for; and this may be said to be an inheritance, because it is peculiar to children, the bequest of their heavenly Father, and is not purchased or acquired by them, but comes to them from the free donation of God, through the death of Christ; and to have an inheritance in it, is to have a right unto it, a meetness for it, and to be possessed of it: now the meaning of these words is, not that all who have been guilty of these sins shall be excluded the kingdom of God, but all such who live and die in them, without the grace of God, and righteousness of Christ.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For this ye know - Be assured of this. The object here is to deter from indulgence in those vices by the solemn assurance that no one who committed them could possibly be saved.

Nor unclean person - No one of corrupt and licentious life can be saved; see Revelation 22:15.

Nor covetous man, who is an idolater - That is, he bestows on money the affections due to God; see Colossians 3:5. To worship money is as real idolatry as to worship a block of stone. If this be so, what an idolatrous world is this! How many idolatrous are there in professedly Christian lands! How many, it is to be feared, in the church itself! And since every covetous man is certainly to be excluded from the kingdom of God, how anxious should we be to examine our hearts, and to know whether this sin may not lie at our door!

Hath any inheritance, ... - Such an one shall never enter heaven. This settles the inquiry about the final destiny of a large portion of the world; and this solemn sentence our conscience and all our views of heaven approve. Let us learn hence:

(1) That heaven will be “pure.”

(2) That it will be a “desirable” place for who would wish to live always with the licentious and the impure?

(3) It is right to reprove these vices and to preach against them. Shall we not be allowed to preach against those sins which will certainly exclude people from heaven?

(4) A large part of the world is exposed to the wrath of God. What numbers are covetous! What multitudes are licentious! In how many places is licentiousness openly and unblushingly practiced! In how many more places in secret! And in how many more is the “heart” polluted, while the external conduct is moral; the soul “corrupt,” while the individual moves in respectable society!

(5) What a world of shame will hell be! How dishonorable and disgraceful to be damned forever, and to linger on in eternal fires, because the man was too polluted to be admitted into pure society! Here, perhaps, he moved in fashionable life, and was rich and honored, and flattered; there he will be sent down to hell because his whole soul was corrupt, and because God would not suffer heaven to be contaminated by his presence!

(6) What doom awaits the “covetous” man! He, like the sensualist, is to be excluded from the kingdom of God. And what is to be his doom? Will he have a place apart from the common damned - a golden palace and a bed of down in hell? No. It will be no small part of his aggravation that he will be doomed to spend an eternity with those in comparison with whom on earth, perhaps, he thought himself to be pure as an angel of light.

(7) With this multitude of the licentious and the covetous, will sink to hell all who are not renewed and sanctified. What a prospect for the “happy,” the fashionable, the moral, the amiable, and the lovely, who have no religion! For all the impenitent and the unbelieving, there is but one home in eternity. Hell is less terrible from its penal fires and its smoke of torment, than from its being made up of the profane, the sensual, and the vile; and its supremest horrors arise from its being the place where shall be gathered all the corrupt and unholy dwellers in a fallen world; all who are so impure that they cannot be admitted into heaven. Why then will the refined, the moral, and the amiable not be persuaded to seek the society of a pure heaven? to be prepared for the world where holy beings dwell?

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ephesians 5:5. For this ye know — Ye must be convinced of the dangerous and ruinous tendency of such a spirit and conduct, when ye know that persons of this character can never inherit the kingdom of God. Ephesians 5:3; Ephesians 5:3; and see the observations on the Greek article at the end of this epistle. Ephesians 6:24; Ephesians 6:24.