# sexual immorality, immorality, immoral # ## Definition: ## The term "sexual immorality" refers to sexual activity that takes place outside the marriage relationship of a man and a woman. This is against God's plan. Older English Bible versions call this "fornication." * This term can refer to any kind of sexual activity that is against God's will, including homosexual acts and pornography. * One type of sexual immorality is adultery, which is sexual activity specifically between a married person and someone who is not that person's spouse. * Another type of sexual immorality is "prostitution," which involves being paid to have sex with someone. * This term is also used figuratively to refer to Israel's unfaithfulness to God when they worshiped false gods. ## Translation Suggestions: ## * The term "sexual immorality" could be translated as "immorality" as long as the correct meaning of the term is understood. * Other ways to translate this term could include, "wrong sexual acts" or "sex outside of marriage." * This term should be translated in a different way from the term "adultery." * The translation of this term's figurative uses should retain the literal term if possible since there is a common comparison in the Bible between unfaithfulness to God and unfaithfulness in the sexual relationship. (See also: [adultery, adulterer](../kt/adultery.md) **·** [false god, god](../kt/falsegod.md) **·** [prostitute, harlot](../other/prostitute.md) **·** [unfaithful](../kt/unfaithful.md)) ## Bible References: ## * [Acts 15:19-21](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/act/15/19) * [Acts 21:25-26](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/act/21/25) * [Colossians 03:5-8](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/col/03/05) * [Ephesians 05:3-4](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/eph/05/03) * [Genesis 38:24-26](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/gen/38/24) * [Hosea 04:13-14](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/hos/04/13) * [Matthew 05:31-32](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/mat/05/31) * [Matthew 19:7-9](https://door43.org/en/bible/notes/mat/19/07)