1 Corinthians 6
1 Corinthians 6 is part of a letter that Paul sent to the church in Corinth, and it mainly covers two themes. First, it addresses disputes among the members of the church and the issue of taking matters to the secular courts (verses 1–11). Second, it deals with a proper understanding of the believer’s body and the right attitude toward living (verses 12–20). This chapter offers deep reflection on the proper relationships within the community and on the life of faith.
1verseDare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
2verseDon’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?
3verseDon’t you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
4verseIf then you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly?
5verseI 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?
6verseBut brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers!
7verseTherefore 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?
8verseNo, but you yourselves do wrong and defraud, and that against your brothers.
9verseOr 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,
10versenor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit God’s Kingdom.
11verseSome of you were such, but you were washed. You were sanctified. You were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.
12verse“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.
13verse“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.
14verseNow God raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by his power.
15verseDon’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!
16verseOr don’t you know that he who is joined to a prostitute is one body? For, “The two”, he says, “will become one flesh.”
17verseBut he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.
18verseFlee sexual immorality! “Every sin that a man does is outside the body,” but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
19verseOr 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,
20versefor you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Lawsuits Among Believers and the Role of the Church (Verses 1–11)
Within the Corinthian church, there were cases where people argued with one another and even went to secular courts. Paul emphasizes that believers should resolve such issues wisely by reconciling with one another and addressing problems within the community. Since the church has been called to judge the world, even minor matters should be resolved by the church members themselves; taking them to secular courts, he points out, actually harms the church’s honor and glory. This brings to mind the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation within the community, as well as spiritual responsibility.
The Kingdom of God and a Righteous Life (Verses 9–11)
Paul lists kinds of actions that are not part of inheriting the kingdom of God, and he says that the believers once lived such lives but were washed and changed by the name of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit. This is a passage that highlights the identity of the believer and the life that has been transformed—reminding us to live as a new person rather than as one shaped by the past.
Purity of the Body and the Life of a Believer (Verses 12–20)
In the remaining portion, Paul’s teachings about food, the body, and freedom are developed. The declaration, “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial,” prompts us to think about the limits of freedom and the responsibility that comes with it. We must remember that the body of a believer is God’s temple and a holy place where the Holy Spirit dwells; therefore, the emphasis is on living a life that shuns sexual immorality and gives glory to God.
Meditation Points
- When conflicts arise within the community, let’s check whether we are resolving them with a “faith-based method,” not a worldly one.
- Let’s reflect on whether the freedom in my life is being used for the benefit of the community and for building one another up.
- Let’s think about whether I recognize that my body is God’s temple and live in a way that preserves holiness.
Apply It to Yourself
- When I face conflict with other people, I will cultivate a sincere desire to practice patience and forgiveness.
- While enjoying freedom, I will pray for spiritual discernment that puts the benefit of myself and my neighbor first.
- In daily life, I will strive to manage my body and mind in a way that pleases God.
