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1 Corinthians 6

BSB·20 verses ·New Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1If any of youὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → hasἔχωνechōn — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → a grievanceπρᾶγμαpragma — a thing, matter, or deedG4229 — Full Word Study → againstπρὸςpros — toward, to, with, in relation toG4314 — Full Word Study → anotherἕτερονheteron — another, different, otherG2087 — Full Word Study →, how dareΤολμᾷTolma — to dare, be bold, show courageG5111 — Full Word Study → he go to lawκρίνεσθαιkrinesthai — To judge, evaluate, or decideG2919 — Full Word Study → beforeἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → unrighteousἀδίκωνadikōn — unjust, unrighteous, contrary to justiceG94 — Full Word Study → instead of beforeἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → theτῶνtōn — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → saintsἁγίωνhagiōn — Set apart for God; morally pure and sacredG40 — Full Word Study →! 2Do you not knowοἴδατεoidate — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → theοἱhoi — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → saintsἅγιοιhagioi — Set apart for God; morally pure and sacredG40 — Full Word Study → will judgeκρινοῦσινkrinousin — To judge, evaluate, or decideG2919 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → worldκόσμονkosmon — The world; the cosmos; the system of humanity opposed to GodG2889 — Full Word Study →? Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → ifεἰei — if; conditional conjunction introducing hypothetical or contingent circumstancesG1487 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → are to judgeκρίνεταιkrinetai — To judge, evaluate, or decideG2919 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → worldκόσμοςkosmos — The world; the cosmos; the system of humanity opposed to GodG2889 — Full Word Study →, are you not competentἀνάξιοίanaxioi — unworthy, not deservingG370 — Full Word Study → to judge trivial casesκριτηρίωνkritēriōn — judicial bench or court of lawG2922 — Full Word Study →? 3Do you not knowοἴδατεoidate — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → we will judgeκρινοῦμενkrinoumen — To judge, evaluate, or decideG2919 — Full Word Study → angelsἀγγέλουςangelous — Messenger; divine or heavenly envoyG32 — Full Word Study →? How much moreμήτιγεmētige — how much more; by extension; much ratherG3386 — Full Word Study → the things of this lifeβιωτικάbiōtika — pertaining to earthly life or worldly affairsG982 — Full Word Study →! 4Soοὖνoun — therefore, then, so, thusG3767 — Full Word Study → ifἐὰνean — conditional particle; if, whether, in case thatG1437 — Full Word Study → you needἔχητεechēte — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → to settleκριτήριαkritēria — judicial bench or court of lawG2922 — Full Word Study → everyday mattersΒιωτικὰBiōtika — pertaining to earthly life or worldly affairsG982 — Full Word Study →, do you appoint as judges thoseτούτουςtoutous — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → of no standingἐξουθενημένουςexouthenēmenous — to despise, treat with contempt, reject as worthlessG1848 — Full Word Study → inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → churchἐκκλησίᾳekklēsia — Assembly of called-out believers; the churchG1577 — Full Word Study →? 5I say thisλέγωlegō — to say, speak, or tellG3004 — Full Word Study → to yourὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → shameἐντροπὴνentropēn — shame, disgrace, or disreputable conductG1791 — Full Word Study →. Is thereἔνιeni — there is, existsG1762 — Full Word Study → reallyοὕτωςhoutōs — in this manner; thus; soG3779 — Full Word Study → noοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → oneοὐδεὶςoudeis — no one, nothing, none at allG3762 — Full Word Study → amongἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → wise enough to arbitrateδιακρῖναιdiakrinai — to distinguish, judge, or doubt between optionsG1252 — Full Word Study → betweenμέσονmeson — middle, midst, betweenG3319 — Full Word Study → hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → brothersἀδελφοῦadelphou — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →? 6Insteadἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study →, one brother goes to lawκρίνεταιkrinetai — To judge, evaluate, or decideG2919 — Full Word Study → againstμετὰmeta — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → another, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → thisτοῦτοtouto — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → in front ofἐπὶepi — upon, on, over, againstG1909 — Full Word Study → unbelieversἀπίστωνapistōn — Unbelieving, faithless, without trustG571 — Full Word Study →! 7The very fact thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → you haveἔχετεechete — To have, hold, or possessG2192 — Full Word Study → lawsuitsκρίματαkrimata — judgment, verdict, or judicial decisionG2917 — Full Word Study → amongμεθ’meth’ — with, after, among, followingG3326 — Full Word Study → youἑαυτῶνheautōn — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study → means that youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → are thoroughly defeatedἥττημαhēttēma — loss, defeat, or diminishmentG2275 — Full Word Study → alreadyἤδηĒdē — Already, by now, at this present timeG2235 — Full Word Study →. Whyδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → notοὐχὶouchi — A strong emphatic negation; 'not!' or 'no!'G3780 — Full Word Study → ratherμᾶλλονmallon — more, rather, increasinglyG3123 — Full Word Study → be wrongedἀδικεῖσθεadikeisthe — to act unjustly; to wrong or harmG91 — Full Word Study →? Whyδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → notοὐχὶouchi — A strong emphatic negation; 'not!' or 'no!'G3780 — Full Word Study → ratherμᾶλλονmallon — more, rather, increasinglyG3123 — Full Word Study → be cheatedἀποστερεῖσθεapostereisthe — to defraud, rob, or deprive someone of what is rightfully theirsG650 — Full Word Study →? 8Insteadἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study →, you yourselvesὑμεῖςhymeis — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → cheatἀποστερεῖτεapostereite — to defraud, rob, or deprive someone of what is rightfully theirsG650 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → do wrongἀδικεῖτεadikeite — to act unjustly; to wrong or harmG91 — Full Word Study →, evenκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → against your own brothersἀδελφούςadelphous — brother; male sibling or fellow believerG80 — Full Word Study →! 9Do you not knowοἴδατεoidate — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → the wicked will not inheritκληρονομήσουσινklēronomēsousin — to inherit; to receive as an heirG2816 — Full Word Study → the kingdom of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →? Do not be deceivedπλανᾶσθεplanasthe — to lead astray, deceive, or cause to wanderG4105 — Full Word Study →: Neitherοὔτεoute — neither; nor; not evenG3777 — Full Word Study → the sexually immoralπόρνοιpornoi — A man who engages in sexual immorality or prostitutionG4205 — Full Word Study →, norοὔτεoute — neither; nor; not evenG3777 — Full Word Study → idolatersεἰδωλολάτραιeidōlolatrai — One who worships idolsG1496 — Full Word Study →, norοὔτεoute — neither; nor; not evenG3777 — Full Word Study → adulterersμοιχοὶmoichoi — A man who commits adultery; adultererG3432 — Full Word Study →, norοὔτεoute — neither; nor; not evenG3777 — Full Word Study → men who submit toμαλακοὶmalakoi — soft, tender, morally weakG3120 — Full Word Study → orοὔτεoute — neither; nor; not evenG3777 — Full Word Study → perform homosexual actsἀρσενοκοῖταιarsenokoitai — man who lies with men sexuallyG733 — Full Word Study →, 10norοὔτεoute — neither; nor; not evenG3777 — Full Word Study → thievesκλέπταιkleptai — A person who steals; a burglar or robberG2812 — Full Word Study →, norοὔτεoute — neither; nor; not evenG3777 — Full Word Study → the greedyπλεονέκταιpleonektai — one who desires more; greedy or covetous personG4123 — Full Word Study →, norοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → drunkardsμέθυσοιmethysoi — A person habitually drunk; drunkardG3183 — Full Word Study →, norοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → verbal abusersλοίδοροιloidoroi — one who reviles or verbally abusesG3060 — Full Word Study →, norοὐχouch — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → swindlersἅρπαγεςharpages — rapacious, grasping, extortionateG727 — Full Word Study →, will inheritκληρονομήσουσινklēronomēsousin — to inherit; to receive as an heirG2816 — Full Word Study → the kingdom of GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. 11Andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → that is what some of you wereἦτεēte — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study →. Butἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → you were washedἀπελούσασθεapelousasthe — to wash off or away; to cleanse by washingG628 — Full Word Study →, you were sanctifiedἡγιάσθητεhēgiasthēte — To set apart as holy; to sanctify or consecrateG37 — Full Word Study →, you were justifiedἐδικαιώθητεedikaiōthēte — to declare righteous; to justifyG1344 — Full Word Study →, inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → nameὀνόματιonomati — name, reputation, or authorityG3686 — Full Word Study → of theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίουKyriou — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → JesusἸησοῦIēsou — The Lord SavesG2424 — Full Word Study → ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → byἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → SpiritΠνεύματιPneumati — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study → ofτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → ourἡμῶνhēmōn — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →. 12EverythingΠάνταPanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → is permissibleἔξεστινexestin — to be permitted, allowed, lawfulG1832 — Full Word Study → for meμοιmoi — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →,” butἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → notοὐou — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → everythingπάνταpanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → is beneficialσυμφέρειsympherei — to be profitable, expedient, or beneficialG4851 — Full Word Study →. “EverythingΠάνταPanta — all, every, the whole ofG3956 — Full Word Study → is permissibleἔξεστινexestin — to be permitted, allowed, lawfulG1832 — Full Word Study → for meμοιmoi — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study →,” butἀλλ’all’ — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → Iἐγὼegō — I, me; the first-person singular pronounG1473 — Full Word Study → will not be masteredἐξουσιασθήσομαιexousiasthēsomai — to exercise authority over; to have powerG1850 — Full Word Study → byὑπόhypo — under; by; from the agency ofG5259 — Full Word Study → anythingτινοςtinos — a certain one; some; anyone; an indefinite pronounG5100 — Full Word Study →. 13Foodβρώματαbrōmata — Food; solid nourishment; sustenanceG1033 — Full Word Study → for theτῇtē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → stomachκοιλίᾳkoilia — belly, womb, stomach; inner beingG2836 — Full Word Study → andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → thehē — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → stomachκοιλίαkoilia — belly, womb, stomach; inner beingG2836 — Full Word Study → for foodβρώμασινbrōmasin — Food; solid nourishment; sustenanceG1033 — Full Word Study →,” butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → will destroyκαταργήσειkatargēsei — to abolish, nullify, or render ineffectiveG2673 — Full Word Study → themταύτηνtautēn — This one; he, she, it; that person or thingG3778 — Full Word Study → bothκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study →. Theτὸto — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → body is not intended for sexual immoralityπορνείᾳporneia — sexual immorality or fornicationG4202 — Full Word Study →, butἀλλὰalla — but, yet, rather, on the other handG235 — Full Word Study → for theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίῳKyriō — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study →, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → theho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚύριοςKyrios — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → for theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → bodyσώματιsōmati — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study →. 14Byδιὰdia — through; by means of; because ofG1223 — Full Word Study → Hisαὐτοῦautou — he, she, it, self; third-person pronounG846 — Full Word Study → powerδυνάμεωςdynameōs — Power, strength, ability, or mighty workG1411 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸςTheos — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → raisedἤγειρενēgeiren — To raise up, arise, or awakenG1453 — Full Word Study → theτὸνton — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → Lord from the dead, andκαὶkai — and; also; even; bothG2532 — Full Word Study → He will raise us also. 15Do you not knowοἴδατεoidate — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → bodiesσώματαsōmata — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study → areἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → membersμέληmelē — bodily member; part of a wholeG3196 — Full Word Study → of ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study →? Shall I then takeἄραςaras — to lift up, take away, removeG142 — Full Word Study → theτὰta — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → membersμέληmelē — bodily member; part of a wholeG3196 — Full Word Study → of ChristΧριστοῦChristou — The Anointed OneG5547 — Full Word Study → and unite them with a prostituteπόρνηςpornēs — prostitute; sexually immoral womanG4204 — Full Word Study →? Neverγένοιτοgenoito — to become, come into being, happenG1096 — Full Word Study →! 16Orē — Or; either...or; conjunction expressing alternativesG2228 — Full Word Study → don’t you knowοἴδατεoidate — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → he whoho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → unites himselfκολλώμενοςkollōmenos — to glue together, cleave to, join closelyG2853 — Full Word Study → with a prostituteπόρνῃpornē — prostitute; sexually immoral womanG4204 — Full Word Study → isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → one with her in bodyσῶμάsōma — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study →? Forγάρgar — for, because, since (causal/explanatory conjunction)G1063 — Full Word Study → it is saidφησίνphēsin — to say, assert, or declareG5346 — Full Word Study →, “TheΟἱHoi — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → twoδύοdyo — the number two; a pairG1417 — Full Word Study → will becomeἜσονταιEsontai — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → oneμίανmian — one, a single unit, unifiedG1520 — Full Word Study → fleshσάρκαsarka — flesh, physical body, human natureG4561 — Full Word Study →.” 17Butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → he whoho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → unites himselfκολλώμενοςkollōmenos — to glue together, cleave to, join closelyG2853 — Full Word Study → with theτῷtō — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → LordΚυρίῳKyriō — Lord; master; one who has authority or ownershipG2962 — Full Word Study → isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → one with Him in spirit. 18Flee fromΦεύγετεPheugete — To flee, escape, or run awayG5343 — Full Word Study → sexual immoralityπορνείανporneian — sexual immorality or fornicationG4202 — Full Word Study →. Every other sinἁμάρτημαhamartēma — a sin; sinful deed or transgressionG265 — Full Word Study → a manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos — human being, man, personG444 — Full Word Study → can commitποιήσῃpoiēsē — to do, make, perform, or accomplishG4160 — Full Word Study → isἐστινestin — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → outsideἐκτὸςektos — outside; except; exclusive ofG1622 — Full Word Study → his bodyσώματόςsōmatos — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study →, butδὲde — thenG1161 — Full Word Study → he whoho — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → sins sexuallyπορνεύωνporneuōn — to engage in sexual immorality or fornicationG4203 — Full Word Study → sinsἁμαρτάνειhamartanei — to sin; to miss the mark; to transgressG264 — Full Word Study → againstεἰςeis — into, toward, untoG1519 — Full Word Study → his ownἴδιονidion — one's own; private; personalG2398 — Full Word Study → bodyσῶμαsōma — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study →. 19Do you not knowοἴδατεoidate — to see, perceive, understand, knowG1492 — Full Word Study → thatὅτιhoti — that; because; since; introducing clauses of reason or contentG3754 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → bodyσῶμαsōma — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study → is a temple of theτοῦtou — Definite article: the, this, thatG3588 — Full Word Study → HolyἉγίουHagiou — Set apart for God; morally pure and sacredG40 — Full Word Study → SpiritΠνεύματόςPneumatos — Spirit; breath; immaterial nature or beingG4151 — Full Word Study → who is inἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → youὑμῖνhymin — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study →, whomοὗhou — who, which, thatG3739 — Full Word Study → you have received fromἀπὸapo — from, away from, out ofG575 — Full Word Study → GodΘεοῦTheou — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study →? You areἐστὲeste — to exist, to be, am/is/areG1510 — Full Word Study → notοὐκouk — No, not, negation particleG3756 — Full Word Study → your ownἑαυτῶνheautōn — himself, herself, itself, themselves; oneselfG1438 — Full Word Study →; 20you were boughtἠγοράσθητεēgorasthēte — to purchase or buy; to redeem through paymentG59 — Full Word Study → at a priceτιμῆςtimēs — honor, respect, or monetary valueG5092 — Full Word Study →. Thereforeδὴdē — indeed, certainly, so thenG1211 — Full Word Study → glorifyδοξάσατεdoxasate — To glorify, honor, or magnify with praiseG1392 — Full Word Study → GodΘεὸνTheon — God, the Divine BeingG2316 — Full Word Study → withἐνen — in, on, among, at, by means ofG1722 — Full Word Study → yourὑμῶνhymōn — You (singular or plural pronoun)G4771 — Full Word Study → bodyσώματιsōmati — Physical body; corporeal formG4983 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — 1 Corinthians 6
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

1 Corinthians 6 addresses two critical issues facing the Corinthian church: the misuse of secular courts to settle disputes among believers, and sexual immorality within the congregation. Paul calls the church to exercise internal wisdom in resolving conflicts and reminds them that their bodies, purchased by Christ's blood, belong to the Lord and should be kept holy. This chapter establishes the principle that Christians are not merely forgiven individuals but are called to live with a radically different standard of conduct that reflects their identity in Christ.

Verses 1–5: Lawsuits Among Believers

Paul opens with sharp rebuke: believers are taking grievances against one another before non-Christian judges rather than settling matters within the church community. His rhetorical questions are designed to awaken spiritual shame. In verses 2–3, he reminds the Corinthians of a stunning biblical truth—that the saints will one day judge both the world and angels. If believers possess such future authority and spiritual maturity, how can they claim to be unqualified to judge everyday disputes? Verse 4 suggests that even the least respected members of the church would be better judges than pagan magistrates, because they would judge from a Christian perspective. Verse 5 intensifies the shame: Paul essentially asks, "Is there not even one wise person among you capable of arbitrating between believers?"

Application: This passage calls modern churches to develop healthy internal processes for resolving conflicts—not through litigation but through prayerful, biblical mediation. Christians should seek reconciliation first and legal action only as a last resort, and never against fellow believers in secular courts.

Verses 6–8: The Witness Problem

Verse 6 crystallizes Paul's concern: brothers are suing brothers before unbelievers. This is fundamentally a witness problem. When the watching world sees Christians fighting each other in court with hostility and self-interest, the gospel's credibility is damaged. Verse 7 delivers the pastoral punch: there is already a failure simply by going to law with one another. Paul then asks a countercultural question: why not accept wrong? Why not suffer loss? Rather than demanding every legal right, believers are called to a higher standard—bearing wrongs as Christ bore wrongs. However, verse 8 clarifies that Paul is not excusing the perpetrators: those committing fraud or wrong against brothers are themselves sinning and will answer to God.

Application: Christians today must evaluate whether pursuing legal claims against believers truly reflects Christ's spirit of forbearance and sacrifice, or whether pride and materialism have taken root in our hearts.

Verses 9–11: The Moral Standard and Grace

Paul shifts to catalog serious sins—fornication, idolatry, adultery, sexual perversion, theft, covetousness, drunkenness, slander, and extortion—and declares plainly that those who practice such things will not inherit God's kingdom. This is not a threat but a reality: unrepentant sinners cannot enter God's presence. Yet verses 11 offers breathtaking grace: some of the Corinthians had practiced these very sins, but they have been washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ's name and by God's Spirit. This is the gospel: we were sinners, we are now cleansed, and we belong to Jesus.

Application: Remembrance of our former condition and God's mercy should humble us and transform how we treat others, especially those struggling with sin.

Verses 12–20: The Body and Sexual Purity

Paul addresses a slogan circulating in Corinth: "All things are lawful unto me." While technically true under grace (we are not saved by law), not all things are helpful or beneficial (verse 12). Verse 13 introduces the theme: the body is not for fornication but for the Lord. Paul's logic is stunning—just as God will destroy temporal food and the belly, so God will transform and resurrect our bodies for eternity. Our bodies matter to God eternally. Verses 15–17 explain why sexual sin is uniquely serious: when you join yourself to another person sexually, you become one flesh, but when you join yourself to Christ, you become one spirit. Sexual union is not a casual physical act; it is a profound spiritual bonding. Verse 18 commands flight, not fight: believers must flee fornication because this sin uniquely violates the body's intended purpose. Verses 19–20 provide the ultimate foundation: your body is the Holy Spirit's temple, purchased by Christ's blood at infinite cost. Therefore, glorify God with your entire being.

Application: Sexual purity is not legalism but love—honoring the temple where the Spirit dwells and acknowledging Christ's ownership purchased through His sacrifice.

Application for Today

1 Corinthians 6 calls contemporary believers to resolve conflicts through the church community rather than secular courts, to live morally transformed lives reflecting our new identity in Christ, and to guard our bodies as sacred, purchased vessels. In a culture that trivializes both litigation and sexuality, this chapter invites us to radical faithfulness: choosing forbearance over rights, purity over appetite, and Christ's lordship over self-interest.

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