Ephesians 5:5 — "impure" (akathartos) refers to moral impurity; the passage warns that a lifestyle of immorality, impurity, or covetousness calls salvation into question.

Winger uses Logos Bible Software's exegetical search to look up the Greek word akathartos. BDAG lists two main definitions: (1) ceremonial uncleanness (more common in OT contexts) and (2) moral impurity. BDAG itself identifies Ephesians 5:5 as an instance of moral impurity. Winger reads the verse as a list: sexually immoral, impure (generally morally wrong), covetous. He then argues that this list describes lifestyle patterns, not occasional failures, and that people whose lives are defined by these patterns have reason to question their salvation — drawing also on 1 Corinthians' concept of the "carnal Christian." He distinguishes between those who are genuinely hypersensitive about their salvation (this warning is not for them) and those living in unrepentant rebellion while claiming to be Christian.