What is the difference, Biblically, between "fornication" and "adultery"? Obviously, these must be translated from different words...but what is the defining difference between what is considered "fornication" and what is considered "adultery"?
In Galatians 5:19 and Mark 7:21, it uses both "adultery" and "fornication" (or "impurity," "sexual immorality") in the same verse. Say the word "adultery," and everyone knows that specific word refers to a spouse having sexual relations with someone other than his/her spouse (although the commandment does extend all the way to lustful thoughts, of course). But say the word "fornication," and it kind-of leaves some uncertainty as to what it refers to.
What exactly is "fornication"? Is it a word that applies to all other manner of sexual sin (more than, but also including "adultery")? Is it more of a "catch-all" word, like the phrase "sexual immorality"...or does it refer specifically to any types of sexual sin?
In Galatians 5:19 and Mark 7:21, it uses both "adultery" and "fornication" (or "impurity," "sexual immorality") in the same verse. Say the word "adultery," and everyone knows that specific word refers to a spouse having sexual relations with someone other than his/her spouse (although the commandment does extend all the way to lustful thoughts, of course). But say the word "fornication," and it kind-of leaves some uncertainty as to what it refers to.
What exactly is "fornication"? Is it a word that applies to all other manner of sexual sin (more than, but also including "adultery")? Is it more of a "catch-all" word, like the phrase "sexual immorality"...or does it refer specifically to any types of sexual sin?
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