πόρνος (pornos)
pornos
sexual sinner
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word pornos refers broadly to a person who engages in sexual immorality, originally denoting a male prostitute but extending in the New Testament to anyone involved in unlawful sexual intercourse. It appears ten times across Scripture, with significant usage in Paul’s letters to Corinth and Ephesus, as well as in Hebrews and Revelation.
Etymologically, the term derives from pernemi, meaning "to sell," which underscores the transactional nature of prostitution in its earliest sense. However, biblical authors use it more generally for sexual sin outside marriage, not just commercial acts. For instance, Paul lists pornos among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9), grouping it with other serious moral failures.
This word carries strong theological weight, serving as a stark warning against sexual impurity. In Revelation 21:8 and 22:15, it is paired with other grave sins in descriptions of those excluded from the New Jerusalem. Translators often render it as "fornicator" or "sexual sinner," though these English terms can feel narrower than the original Greek’s broad condemnation of sexual unfaithfulness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pornos describes someone involved in sexual sin outside of God’s design for marriage. In the New Testament, it appears in lists of behaviors that exclude people from God’s kingdom, such as in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and Ephesians 5:5. These passages serve as a sobering reminder that our actions have spiritual consequences and that holiness is required to inherit eternal life.
Yet this word also highlights the depth of God’s grace. When Paul writes to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 5:11, he warns believers not to associate with those who claim to be Christians but live in such sin. This was not about isolating them from the world, but about maintaining the church’s purity so that repentance and restoration could happen.
For those who have walked this path, the gospel offers a way out. Hebrews 13:4 calls us to honor marriage and keep our lives undefiled, trusting that God judges sin but also provides forgiveness through Christ. This word invites us to examine our hearts, seek purity, and rely on God’s transforming power.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- sexually immoral3×
- fornicator2×
- [the] sexually immoral2×
- to the sexually immoral1×
- for the sexually immoral,1×
- [the] sexually immoral,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πόρνος3×
- πόρνοις,2×
- πόρνοις2×
- πόρνοι2×
- πόρνους1×
Key Verses
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I Corinthians 6:9
Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals,
This verse lists pornos among those who will not inherit God's kingdom, showing the seriousness of sexual sin in Paul's teaching.
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Ephesians 5:5
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.
Here Paul connects sexual immorality with covetousness, calling it idolatry that excludes one from Christ's inheritance.
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I Corinthians 5:11
But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person.
Paul instructs the church to avoid fellowship with a professing believer who lives in this sin, protecting the community's witness.
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Hebrews 13:4
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
This verse contrasts the honored status of marriage with God's judgment on sexual sinners, urging believers to purity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word pornos mean?
How is pornos different from moichos?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (10 verses across 5 books)
I Corinthians 4 verses
I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners;
I Corinthians 5:10yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with…
I Corinthians 5:11But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous,…
I Corinthians 6:9Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral,…