Defination of the Greek: porneia

[pyro_alchemist]

All over the internet I see the Greek word “porneia” defined as “serious sexual sin” such as fornication, harlotry, adultery or incest while on Catholic sites I see it defined as “illicit or invalid”. This has been a bit of an embarrassment to me when I have tried to explain Matthew 19:3-9 to my non-Catholic friends. On the surface it would seem that the Catholic Church uses the “invalid” definition to justify its complete prohibition of divorce while the rest of the world defines porneia as fornication. I don’t for one moment believe this! There has to be an explanation. Anyone here have one?
I have read this (scroll down to “Q: In Matthew 19:3-9 when the Pharisees are questioning Jesus about divorce”) but it really doesn’t help me understand why there are two possible (and quite different) interpretations.

 

[COPLAND_3]

Here is a great explanation from the Ignatius Study Bible books.google.com/books?id=Y3ZX63Ze5jAC&lpg=PP1&dq=ignatius%20study%20bible%20gospel%20matthew&pg=PA51#v=onepage&q=&f=true

Here are some definition of πορνείᾳ from various lexicons

Oxford Classical Greek- fornication, prostitution, idolatry

**LSJ- ** prostitution, Hp.Epid.7.122, etc.; of a man, D.19.200; fornication, unchastity, Ev.Matt.19.9: pl., 1 Ep.Cor. 7.2.
II. metaph., idolatry, LXX Ho.4.11,al.

**Strongs- **1) illicit sexual intercourse
1a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse
with animals etc.
1b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
1c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mr 10:11,12
2) metaph. the worship of idols
2a) of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the
sacrifices offered to idols.

 

[Cluny]

The basic denotation of PORNEIA is “prostitution,” though it might be extended to that which is morally on the level of prostitution.

Somewhere I’ve read that “porneia” was also used to mean a prohibited or spurious marriage.

 

[pyro_alchemist]

Here is a great explanation from the Ignatius Study Bible books.google.com/books?id=Y3ZX63Ze5jAC&lpg=PP1&dq=ignatius%20study%20bible%20gospel%20matthew&pg=PA51#v=onepage&q=&f=true

Here are some definition of πορνείᾳ from various lexicons

Oxford Classical Greek- fornication, prostitution, idolatry

**LSJ- ** prostitution, Hp.Epid.7.122, etc.; of a man, D.19.200; fornication, unchastity, Ev.Matt.19.9: pl., 1 Ep.Cor. 7.2.
II. metaph., idolatry, LXX Ho.4.11,al.

**Strongs- **1) illicit sexual intercourse
1a) adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse
with animals etc.
1b) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Lev. 18
1c) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mr 10:11,12
2) metaph. the worship of idols
2a) of the defilement of idolatry, as incurred by eating the
sacrifices offered to idols.

Thanks COPLAND! That puts an entirely different slant on things! Once again catholic.com comes through for me. The radio show brought me back to the faith and this forum is keeping me here. Thanks be to God!