Note: Words are shown in their original Greek order, which differs from English translations. This reflects the emphasis and structure of Scripture as originally written. Click any word to see its full lexicon entry.
1If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints!
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts,
11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
13“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 6
5 sections1 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.