The term “whoremonger” appears several times in the Bible, primarily in the New Testament. It refers to a person who practices sexual immorality or prostitution. The original Greek word is “pornos,” which refers to a male prostitute or a man who solicits prostitutes. Let’s take a closer look at how this term is used in Scripture.
Old Testament References
The term “whoremonger” itself does not appear in the Old Testament. However, the concepts of prostitution and sexual immorality are certainly condemned. For example, in Deuteronomy 23:17-18, the people of Israel are warned against bringing the wages of a prostitute or the price of a dog into the house of the Lord. This shows that prostitution was seen as an unholy practice, even though the specific term “whoremonger” is not used.
New Testament References
In the New Testament, the term “whoremonger” appears 4 times in the King James Version, all in books authored by the apostle Paul. Let’s look briefly at each occurrence:
1 Corinthians 5:9-11
Paul chastises the Corinthian church for allowing sexual immorality in their midst. He writes, “I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 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.”
The word translated here as “fornicators” is the Greek word “pornos.” So Paul is clearly telling the Corinthians not to associate with anyone who claims to be a Christian yet lives like a whoremonger.
Ephesians 5:5
Paul warns, “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.” Again, the Greek word “pornos” is used here for “whoremonger.” Those who practice sexual immorality have no place in God’s kingdom.
1 Timothy 1:9-10
Paul writes, “Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.”
Here, “whoremongers” is again translated from “pornos” and associated directly with sound biblical doctrine. Those who practice such immorality are contrary to the faith.
Revelation 21:8
Describing the kinds of people who will be condemned, Revelation 21:8 states, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
One more time, “pornos” is translated as “whoremongers” here, showing that those who refuse to repent of sexual immorality will be excluded from eternal life.
Other Relevant New Testament Passages
While the word “whoremonger” itself only appears 4 times in the New Testament, the concept is addressed in many other passages as well:
- Matthew 5:32 – Divorce is permitted in cases of sexual immorality.
- John 8:1-11 – The story of the woman caught in adultery, which Jesus forgives.
- Acts 15:20 – The Jerusalem council instructs gentile believers to abstain from sexual immorality.
- Romans 1:26-27 – Men and women engaging in illicit sexual acts are condemned.
- 1 Corinthians 5:1 – A man has his father’s wife, an act of gross sexual immorality.
- 1 Corinthians 6:15-18 – We must flee from sexual sin because it defiles God’s temple in us.
- Galatians 5:19 – Sexual immorality is a sinful desire of the flesh.
- Colossians 3:5 – We must put sexual immorality to death.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – God’s will is for us to abstain from sexual immorality.
- Jude 1:7 – Sexual immorality earns God’s punishment.
- Revelation 2:14 – Jesus rebukes the church in Pergamum for some who held to the teaching of Balaam, who taught people to practice sexual immorality.
Lessons from Scripture
When we survey the biblical references to whoremongers and sexual immorality, several key lessons emerge:
- God strongly condemns all forms of sexual immorality.
- Those who unrepentantly engage in sexual sin have no place in God’s kingdom.
- The church must confront and exclude professing believers who refuse to turn from sexual immorality.
- As Christians, our bodies belong to God so we must honor Him by fleeing from sexual sin.
- Jesus offers forgiveness when we turn from sexual sin and follow Him in obedience.
Modern Applications
While some of the specific activities condemned in Scripture may not be as common today, the same principles still apply. Here are some modern forms of sexual immorality which would fall under the biblical category of “whoremongering”:
- Internet pornography
- Use of prostitutes
- Having multiple sex partners outside of marriage
- “Hookup culture” promiscuity
- Living together and having sex before marriage
- LGBT sexual activity outside of biblical marriage
- Sexual relationships involving a married person and someone who is not their spouse
- Sexual relationships between very close relatives
- Sex trafficking and exploitation
The principles from Scripture remain highly relevant for addressing theseareas of sexual sin today. As Christians, we must call out sexual immoralityfor what it is – rebellion against God’s good designs for intimacy and marriage. At the same time, we point to forgiveness and healing through Christ, and new life in the power of the Holy Spirit, for all who will repent and believe.
Conclusion
The biblical term “whoremonger” refers to those who engage in or promote sexual immorality, especially prostitution and pornographic endeavors. While not appearing often, it represents an important category of sin which Scripture repeatedly condemns. Faithful Christians must avoid practicing or condoning any form of sexual immorality, pointing people instead to God’s gracious forgiveness through Jesus Christ which enables all of us to pursue purity and obedience.
