1 Corinthians6
New International Version
1If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people?
2Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases?
3Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
4Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?
5I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?
6But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
7The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?
8Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.
9Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men
10nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
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.
12“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
13You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
14By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.
15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
16Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
17But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Corinthians 6.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Cautions against going to law in heathen courts. (1–8). Sins which, if lived and died in, shut out from the kingdom of God. (9–11). Our bodies, which are the members of Christ, and temples of the Holy Ghost, must not be defiled. (12–20).
vv1-8
Christians should not contend with one another, for they are brethren. This, if duly attended to, would prevent many law-suits, and end many quarrels and disputes. In matters of great damage to ourselves or families, we may use lawful means to right ourselves, but Christians should be of a forgiving temper. Refer the matters in dispute, rather than go to law about them. They are trifles, and may easily be settled, if you first conquer your own spirits. Bear and forbear, and the men of least skill among you may end your quarrels. It is a shame that little quarrels should grow to such a head among Christians, that they cannot be determined by the brethren. The peace of a man's own mind, and the calm of his neighbourhood, are worth more than victory. Lawsuits could not take place among brethren, unless there were faults among them.
vv9-11
The Corinthians are warned against many great evils, of which they had formerly been guilty. There is much force in these inquiries, when we consider that they were addressed to a people puffed up with a fancy of their being above others in wisdom and knowledge. All unrighteousness is sin; all reigning sin, nay, every actual sin, committed with design, and not repented of, shuts out of the kingdom of heaven. Be not deceived. Men are very much inclined to flatter themselves that they may live in sin, yet die in Christ, and go to heaven. But we cannot hope to sow to the flesh, and reap everlasting life. They are reminded what a change the gospel and grace of God had made in them. The blood of Christ, and the washing of regeneration, can take away all guilt. Our justification is owing to the suffering and merit of Christ; our sanctification to the working of the Holy Spirit; but both go together. All who are made righteous in the sight of God, are made holy by the grace of God.
vv12-20
Some among the Corinthians seem to have been ready to say, All things are lawful for me. This dangerous conceit St. Paul opposes. There is a liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, in which we must stand fast. But surely a Christian would never put himself into the power of any bodily appetite. The body is for the Lord; is to be an instrument of righteousness to holiness, therefore is never to be made an instrument of sin. It is an honour to the body, that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead; and it will be an honour to our bodies, that they will be raised. The hope of a resurrection to glory, should keep Christians from dishonouring their bodies by fleshly lusts. And if the soul be united to Christ by faith, the whole man is become a member of his spiritual body. Other vices may be conquered in fight; that here cautioned against, only by flight. And vast multitudes are cut off by this vice in its various forms and consequences. Its effects fall not only directly upon the body, but often upon the mind. Our bodies have been redeemed from deserved condemnation and hopeless slavery by the atoning sacrifice of Christ. We are to be clean, as vessels fitted for our Master's use. Being united to Christ as one spirit, and bought with a price of unspeakable value, the believer should consider himself as wholly the Lord's, by the strongest ties. May we make it our business, to the latest day and hour of our lives, to glorify God with our bodies, and with our spirits which are his.
Key Words
τὶς (tìs): some or any person or object
ὑμῶν (hymōn): of (from or concerning) you
ἔχω (échō): to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
πρᾶγμα (prâgma): a deed; by implication, an affair; by extension, an object (material)
πρός (prós): a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)
ἕτερος (héteros): (an-, the) other or different
τολμάω (tolmáō): probably itself from the base of G5056 (τέλος) through the idea of extreme conduct); to venture (objectively or in act; while G2292 (θαῤῥέω) is rather subjective or in feeling); by implication, to be courageous
κρίνω (krínō): by implication, to try, condemn, punish
ἐπί (epí): properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.
ἄδικος (ádikos): unjust; by extension wicked; by implication, treacherous; specially, heathen
Cross References
1 Corinthians 6Directly quoted in v16 ("two, saith he, shall be one flesh") to argue against sexual immorality.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Christ's promise that his followers will sit on thrones judging, illustrating saints judging the world.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Old Testament prophecy where judgment is given to the saints of the Most High.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ's instructions on resolving disputes internally within the church community rather than public courts.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallel vice list showing those who do such things will not inherit God's kingdom.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Verbal and thematic parallel repeating "all things are lawful... but all things edify not."
Supported by Matthew Henry
Reinforces the concept of the believer's body being the temple of the Holy Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel statement using the exact phrase "ye are bought with a price."
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes Christ's promise of the disciples sitting on thrones judging the tribes of Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Sarcastic rebuke using shame regarding their lack of spiritual wisdom and knowledge.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts temporary physical foods with the spiritual, eternal nature of the kingdom of God.
Supported by John Calvin
Confirms believers are literal members of Christ's body, of His flesh and bones.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Further defense of the local church and individual bodies as temples of the living God.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Mentions fallen angels reserved in chains under darkness, whom the saints will judge.
Supported by JFB
Parallel describing the believers' former sinful state and subsequent washing and renewal.
Supported by Matthew Henry