1 Corinthians 6
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1Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2Don’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? 3Don’t you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4If then, you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly? 5I 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? 6But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers! 7Therefore 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? 8No, but you yourselves do wrong, and defraud, and that against your brothers. 9Or 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, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom. 11Such 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. 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. 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. 14Now God raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by his power. 15Don’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! 16Or don’t you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, “The two”, he says, “will become one flesh.” 17But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit. 18Flee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19Or 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, 20for 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)
“"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own."”
1 Corinthians 6:19
Summary
In 1 Corinthians chapter 6, Paul addresses the issue of lawsuits among believers and offers guidance on how Christians should resolve disputes. He emphasizes that it is a failure for believers to go to secular courts, advising them instead to appoint wise individuals from within the church to judge such matters. He highlights the importance of the Christian community in resolving conflicts internally because believers, who will one day judge the world and even angels, should be capable of judging trivial matters among themselves. Paul then transitions to a discussion on purity, warning against sexual immorality. He reminds the Corinthians that those who indulge in such behaviors, including idolatry, adultery, and other sins, will not inherit the kingdom of God. He highlights the transformative power of the gospel, acknowledging that some believers were once involved in these activities but have been washed, sanctified, and justified in Jesus Christ through the Spirit of God. The chapter concludes with a profound discourse on the sanctity of the body. Paul stresses that the body is not for sexual immorality but is meant for the Lord, as believers are united with Christ and their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This understanding urges Christians to honor God with their bodies, recognizing the deep significance of their redemption at a high price.
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Chapter outline
How 1 Corinthians 6 unfolds
1 Corinthians 6:1–6 Disputes Among Believers
Paul questions why believers take legal matters before secular courts instead of resolving them within the church, highlighting their failure to seek wise judgment among themselves.
1 Corinthians 6:7–11 Consequences of Immorality
He states that lawsuits among believers reflect a deeper moral failure, warning that those living in sin will not inherit God's Kingdom, yet emphasizing their transformative identity in Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:12–14 Freedom and Responsibility
Paul discusses the balance between lawful actions and the importance of not being mastered by anything, stressing that the body serves the Lord, not immorality.
1 Corinthians 6:15–18 The Body's Relationship with Christ
He argues that believers' bodies are members of Christ, therefore joining with prostitutes is a grave offense, urging them to flee sexual immorality.
1 Corinthians 6:19–20 The Body as a Temple
Paul emphasizes the significance of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, urging believers to honor God through their bodies and recognize their redemption.
Key verses
1 Corinthians 6:19This verse underscores the chapter's emphasis on the significance of the body as a sacred space for God's Spirit.
Main themes in 1 Corinthians 6
Christian Disputes
The theme of Christian disputes surfaces in verses 1-6, where Paul admonishes believers for taking their legal matters to secular courts. He emphasizes the church's ability to resolve disputes among themselves, which reflects their spiritual authority. This theme underlines the importance of unity and mutual accountability within the Christian community.
Sexual Purity
Sexual purity is a central theme in verses 12-18, where Paul warns against sexual immorality and its consequences. He stresses that the body should not be used for immoral purposes, as it is united with Christ. This call to purity emphasizes the seriousness of how believers should view their bodies in relation to their faith.
Redemption and Transformation
Redemption and transformation are highlighted in verse 11, where Paul reminds the Corinthians of their past sins and their new identity in Christ. He emphasizes that they have been washed, sanctified, and justified, reflecting the power of the gospel. This transformation is foundational for understanding their new life and conduct as believers.
The Sanctity of the Body
The sanctity of the body is expressed in verses 19-20, where Paul refers to the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. He urges believers to recognize the significance of their physical bodies as belonging to God, and to glorify Him through them. This theme reinforces the idea that physical actions are deeply intertwined with spiritual reality.
Cross-references
Passages that echo 1 Corinthians 6
- 1 Corinthians 3This passage connects with the theme of the church's authority to judge matters, emphasizing believers' roles in God's plan.
- Ephesians 5Ephesians develops the idea of the body and Christ's relationship, paralleling Paul's emphasis on purity and sanctity.
- 2 Corinthians 6This passage echoes the call for righteousness and separation from immorality, reinforcing the need for holiness among believers.
- Galatians 5Galatians connects by discussing the consequences of sinful behaviors, emphasizing the transformative nature of life in the Spirit.
- 1 Peter 2This reference develops the theme of identity, as it urges believers to live in a manner that reflects their status as God's chosen people.
- Romans 6Romans connects through its teaching on being dead to sin and alive in Christ, highlighting believers' new identity and responsibilities.
Study questions
Questions for studying 1 Corinthians 6
- What does Paul suggest about resolving disputes within the church?
- How does Paul describe the consequences of sexual immorality?
- What transformation does Paul highlight in the lives of the Corinthians?
- In what way does Paul connect the body to the Lord?
- Why is it significant that believers' bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?
- What implications does Paul’s teaching on lawsuits have for Christian relationships?
- How does the idea of freedom relate to responsibility in this chapter?
1 Corinthians 6: frequently asked questions
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