Ephesians 5:5 | The Institute for Creation Research

 
Ephesians 5:5
 

Cov · et · ous

def. 1: (One who is) marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions. (God's possessions—note added.)
def. 2: Having a craving for possessions (or power).

In · or · di · nate

def. 1: Exceeding reasonable limits (immoderate, excessive).

Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, 1994

Covetousness

(Heb. hämad, to desire; besa', dishonest gain; Gr. pleoneksia, the wish to have more), an inordinate desire for what one has not, which has its basis in discontentment with what one has. It has an element of lawlessness and is sinful because contrary to the command, "Be content with such things as ye have" (Hebrews 13:5), and because it leads to "trust in uncertain riches," to love of the world, to setting up wealth instead of God. It ranks with the worst sins (Mark 7:22; Romans 1:29). Our Lord especially warns against it (Luke 12:15), as does Paul (Ephesians 5:3, etc.). A man may be covetous, eager to obtain money, and not avaricious or penurious (i.e., unwilling to part with money), or sordid and niggardly (i.e., mean in his dealings). He may or may not be miserly.

Unger's Bible Dictionary
Merrill F. Unger, Th.D., Ph.D., Moody Press, 1957

With these principles in mind, how shall we, then, live?

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what . . . the LORD require(s) of thee . . . to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God (Micah 6:8).
Becoming men whom God sees as "able" to serve Him, men who "fear God,"men of truth, hating covetousness (Exodus 18:21).

Might we be found fit for the kingdom, having demonstrated the relationship with God we profess by putting to death covetousness in our lives!

Cite this article: Tom Manning. 1998. Ephesians 5:5. Acts & Facts. 27 (5).

The Latest
NEWS
Fossil Crocodile Shows Clever Design
Some discoveries stand out, not because they change the story of evolution, but because they show clear design from the start. That is what happened...

NEWS
Complex Calls Confirm Creation
Bird calls are something we often take for granted. After all, when we listen to them, we hear squawks, warbles, and chirps. Could there actually be...

DAYS OF PRAISE DEVOTIONALS
Spring 2026
...

NEWS
Honoring Our Leaders
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do...

NEWS
Dismissals and Fiction: A Review of Hugh Ross’ Book Noah’s...
Hugh Ross’ latest book, Noah’s Flood Revisited: New Depths of Insight from Science and Scripture, is both dismissive of young earth creation...

NEWS
Secrets of Pre-Flood Ecosystems and Atmosphere Revealed
What was the pre-Flood world like thousands of years ago?1,2 With the advent of unearthing soft tissues in fossils,3 creation...

NEWS
Confirmed New Record for Most Distant Galaxy
A galaxy with the designation MoM-z14 has recently been confirmed as the most distant galaxy ever detected.1,2 By Big Bang reckoning, we...

NEWS
Insect Eyes Reflect Creation
Research into insect eyes continues to reveal amazing structure and function. For example, although fruit flies’ eyes are attached firmly to their...

NEWS
February 2026 ICR Wallpaper
"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD you God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you...

NEWS
Microgravity's Effect on Bacteriophages Is Not Evolution
The word evolution is often used imprecisely, leading the public to believe that any biological change is evolution, and, therefore, it’s a fact.1...