What is a whoremonger in the Bible?

Answer

The term “whoremonger” in the Bible refers to individuals who associate with prostitutes or who, in general, display promiscuous sexual behavior. “Whoremonger” is an archaic term primarily found in the King James Version and the Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible. In contemporary language, we would describe such a person as a “fornicator” or “adulterer.” In a broader sense, a whoremonger is someone who engages in sexual activity outside of marriage.

An instance of the term “whoremonger” can be seen in Ephesians 5:5 in the KJV: “For this ye know, that no whoremonger . . . hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Most other translations simply use the phrase “immoral person.” The Greek word used in this verse is “pornos,” which is related to “porneia,” the root of the English word “pornography.” Essentially, all forms of sexual immorality fall under this umbrella term, but the specific word used varies based on the individual engaging in the behavior and their gender. For example, a woman involved in sexual immorality is labeled a “whore” (porne) in the KJV, while a man engaging in the same behavior is termed a “whoremonger” (pornos).

These Greek terms are intriguing because they do not differentiate between a) sexual immorality for financial gain, b) sexual immorality driven by lust, and c) sex outside of marriage between two committed partners. This concept can be challenging for us to grasp as our society views paying for sex from a stranger differently than a couple in a relationship engaging in sexual activity. We often distinguish between a man who solicits a prostitute (and the prostitute herself) and a boyfriend and girlfriend cohabiting. However, God categorizes both scenarios as “porneia.” According to the Bible, a man having relations with his long-term girlfriend is considered just as much a “whoremonger” as a man who solicits prostitutes.

Persistent, unrepentant sexual immorality serves as an indication that an individual is not saved. “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” (Ephesians 5:5, KJV).

Person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. », (Ephesians 5:5). The sexually immoral in the church—those who claim to be saved but who live as whoremongers—must face church discipline, biblically: “Now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral. . . . Do not even eat with such people” «But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. », (1 Corinthians 5:11). Sexual sin brings serious consequences, and there should not even be a hint of immorality among God’s people «But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; », (Ephesians 5:3).