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1 Corinthians 6

ScriptureDepth's study of 1 Corinthians 6

“Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,”

1 Corinthians 6:19

Paul writes to the Corinthians about their bodies being a 'temple of the Holy Spirit', which settles the understanding of their physical actions in relation to God.

What 1 Corinthians 6 is about

Paul begins by questioning why believers go to court against one another instead of seeking resolution among themselves (vv. 1-6). He points out that they should judge matters of this life, as they will judge greater things. Paul then expresses disappointment that they have disputes that need to be settled by outsiders. He urges them to accept wrong instead of harming each other. In the next section, Paul reminds them that the unrighteous will not inherit God's Kingdom (vv. 7-11). He lists various immoral behaviors that exclude people from this inheritance, but he also offers hope that some were washed and justified in Christ. Moving to freedom, Paul states that while all things are lawful, not everything is beneficial (vv. 12-14). He asserts that the body is intended for the Lord, not for immorality. Paul emphasizes that believers' bodies are members of Christ (vv. 15-18) and are temples of the Holy Spirit (vv. 19-20).

The reader is left with the reminder to glorify God in their body and spirit, which belong to God.

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1 Corinthians 6 at a glance

  1. 1 Corinthians 6:1–6Disputes Among Believers
  2. 1 Corinthians 6:7–11Consequences of Immorality
  3. 1 Corinthians 6:12–14Freedom and Responsibility
  4. 1 Corinthians 6:15–18The Body's Relationship with Christ
  5. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20The Body as a Temple

Key verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19

One thing to notice

Verses 1-3 address disputes among believers, specifically those taking legal matters to secular courts rather than resolving them within the church. Paul questions whether believers, who will judge the world, should not be able to judge small matters.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read 1 Corinthians 6 (WEB)

Disputes Among Believers 1 Corinthians 6:1–6

Verse 1. Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Verse 2. Don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Verse 3. Don’t you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? Verse 4. If then, you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly? Verse 5. I say this to move you to shame. Isn’t there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?

Verse 6. But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers!

Consequences of Immorality 1 Corinthians 6:7–11

Verse 7. Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? Verse 8. No, but you yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and that against your brothers. Verse 9. Or don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s Kingdom? Don’t be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, Verse 10. nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom. Verse 11. Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.

Freedom and Responsibility 1 Corinthians 6:12–14

Verse 12. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are expedient. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be brought under the power of anything. Verse 13. “Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods,” but God will bring to nothing both it and them. But the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. Verse 14. Now God raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by his power.

The Body's Relationship with Christ 1 Corinthians 6:15–18

Verse 15. Don’t you know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! Verse 16. Or don’t you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, “The two”, he says, “will become one flesh.” Verse 17. But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. Verse 18. Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

The Body as a Temple 1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Verse 19. Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, Verse 20. for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in 1 Corinthians 6

Christian Disputes

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul addresses the issue of disputes among believers in verses 1-6. He questions their decision to take legal matters before 'the unrighteous' instead of the 'saints.' Paul points out that the 'saints will judge the world' and asks why they cannot resolve smaller issues among themselves, moving towards a call for shame regarding their approach to conflict.

Sexual Purity

Paul discusses sexual immorality in verses 9-11 and later in verses 15-18. He lists those who will not inherit God's Kingdom, specifically mentioning 'the sexually immoral' among others. In verses 15-16, he stresses the unity of believers with Christ, warning that joining with a prostitute has significant consequences, thus urging the Corinthians to flee such immorality.

Redemption and Transformation

In verse 11, Paul reminds the Corinthians of their past, stating, 'Such were some of you, but you were washed.' They have experienced a transformation through justification 'in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.' This acknowledgment of their prior condition highlights the change brought by faith, as they have moved from immorality to being sanctified.

The Sanctity of the Body

This theme is addressed in verses 19-20, where Paul describes the body as a 'temple of the Holy Spirit.' Believers are not their own, having been 'bought with a price.' This understanding of the body calls for glorifying God through one's physical existence, indicating that one's actions with the body hold spiritual significance.

Chapter outline

How 1 Corinthians 6 unfolds

  1. 1 Corinthians 6:1–6 Disputes Among Believers

    Paul argues against believers taking disputes to secular courts, emphasizing that the saints will judge the world and should therefore handle minor matters among themselves (vv. 1-3). He expresses disappointment that no wise person exists to resolve issues within the community (v. 5).

  2. 1 Corinthians 6:7–11 Consequences of Immorality

    Paul explains the consequences of immorality, listing behaviors that exclude individuals from inheriting God's Kingdom (vv. 9-10). He contrasts this with the transformation of believers who have been 'washed,' 'sanctified,' and 'justified' (v. 11).

  3. 1 Corinthians 6:12–14 Freedom and Responsibility

    Paul discusses the balance of freedom and responsibility, stating that while 'all things are lawful,' not everything is beneficial (vv. 12-13). He warns that the body is meant for the Lord, not for immorality, as God will raise the body (v. 14).

  4. 1 Corinthians 6:15–18 The Body's Relationship with Christ

    Paul emphasizes the unity between believers and Christ, stating that the body is a member of Christ (v. 15). He warns against sexual immorality which disrupts this unity, noting that joining with another creates a single body (v. 16).

  5. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 The Body as a Temple

    Paul states that believers' bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that they are not their own but were bought at a price (vv. 19-20). He commands believers to glorify God in their bodies and spirits, which belong to God.

Key verses

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19Paul writes to the Corinthians about their bodies being a 'temple of the Holy Spirit', which settles the understanding of their physical actions in relation to God.

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Study questions

Questions for studying 1 Corinthians 6

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v6, why does Paul mention that brother goes to law with brother?
  2. observeWhat does Paul mean by 'the unrighteous will not inherit God's Kingdom' in vv. 9-10?
  3. interpretPaul's phrase 'you were washed' in v11: what does it imply about the past behavior of the Corinthians?
  4. interpretThe command 'Flee sexual immorality!' in v18: why does Paul emphasize fleeing rather than resisting?
  5. applyWhen have you been tempted to seek justice against a fellow believer as seen in v6?

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1 Corinthians 6: frequently asked questions

What is 1 Corinthians 6 about?+
Paul begins by questioning why believers go to court against one another instead of seeking resolution among themselves (vv. 1-6).
What is the key verse in 1 Corinthians 6?+
1 Corinthians 6:19: “Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,”
What are the main themes of 1 Corinthians 6?+
The main themes of 1 Corinthians 6 are Christian Disputes, Sexual Purity, Redemption and Transformation, The Sanctity of the Body.

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