What does 'whoremonger' mean in the Bible?

from the old testament

• The word whoremonger is not found in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

• The word whoremonger is used in the King James Version in Ephesians 5:5, 1 Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 13:4, Revelation 21:8, and Revelation 22:15.
• The word whoremonger is translated in the English Standard Version as "sexually immoral."
• Ephesians 5:3–5 says, "But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." The person who continues in sexual immorality gives evidence that he or she is not saved.
• First Corinthians 5:11 says that Christians are "not to associate" with someone who calls themselves a Christian but is sexually immoral. The consequences of sexual immorality are serious.
• Whoremonger in the Greek is pornos; we immediately see its relationship to our English word pornography. This Greek word means a man who engages in sexual immorality. The Greek word that means a woman engaged in sexual immorality is porne, or sometimes translated "whore." These two Greek words, pornos and porne, simply mean someone who has sex outside of marriage, which is why other translators translate the word to fornicator or sexually immoral. We tend to rank different extra-marital sexual activity into categories of wrongness, but in the Bible, a loving couple who has sex before marriage and a man having sex with a prostitute are both termed porneia. Both are unrighteous and result in significant consequences.

implications for today

In a culture saturated with sexual imagery and messages, living by God's standards of sexual purity can indeed be challenging yet profoundly rewarding. As believers, we are called to honor God's design for sex—a sacred gift intended for the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. Engaging in sexual immorality, or whoremongering, not only defies God's commandments but also inflicts deep harm on individuals and relationships. By upholding purity in thought and action, we not only honor God but also protect ourselves and others from the damaging consequences of sexual sin. Embracing God's standards amidst societal pressures requires steadfastness and reliance on His grace, knowing that His ways lead to true fulfillment and lasting joy. When we fall into sexual sin, God calls us to repent—to recognize our sin, ask God for forgiveness, and return to the good plans He has for us and our sexuality. We can find forgiveness, restoration, healing, and strength to live for Him as we return to Him.