Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians 6

Verse 1

1Co 6:1. Matter is from PRAGMA and Thayer defines it at this place, "a matter at law, case, suit." The word does not pertain to questions of morals or religion, but to temporal interests between man and man. That is why it is called things pertaining to this life in verse 4. Paul tells the brethren they do not have the right to take such disputes to the secular courts.

Verse 2

1Co 6:2. Jude is from IMMO. The outstanding definitions of Thayer are, "To approve, esteem; to be of opinion, deem, think; to determine, resolve, decree; to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong." These definitions set forth the idea that the saints (Christians) are to declare the laws by which the world at present is to be ruled religiously, and is to be judged at last. But they could not do this correctly without an inspired law for their guidance which was given by the apostles. That is why Jesus told them (Mat 19:28) that they were to "sit upon twelve thrones, judging [Immo] the twelve tribes of [spiritual] Israel." And after the apostles produced this law by inspiration, the church was to perpetuate the rule under the apostolic teaching. That is why Paul taught in Eph 3:10 that it was "by the church the manifold wisdom of God" was to be made known. The reasoning of Paul is that if the Lord thought his disciples were wise enough to apply His law on the great matters pertaining to the righteous life now and the judgment to come, they should be able to decide such small matters as disputes over temporal transactions.

Verse 3

1Co 6:3. On the same basis as the preceding paragraph, Christians are teaching and applying the divine law that sets forth the judgment of angels. A part of that law is shown in 2Pe 2:4 and Jud 1:6, that tells of the judgment to be pronounced against those angels that sinned. It is in this sense that we shall judge angels, not that any man will literally participate in the procedure at the last day. But the same point is made as that made in the preceding verse, namely, if Christians are entrusted with teaching and applying the law that is to be imposed upon the former inhabitants of Heaven, they certainly should be able to decide matters pertaining to the inhabitants of this life or which concern only temporal life.

Verse 5

1Co 6:5-6. This paragraph, following immediately upon the statement of the preceding one, shows that it was not an instruction as to what they should do, but was a criticism in question form of what they were doing, which Paul says was shameful.

Verse 7

1Co 6:7. Instead of disgracing the church before the secular courts, a brother would better take the loss he thinks the other is trying to impose on him.

Verse 8

1Co 6:8. It would be wrong to go to law even when a brother was being defrauded, but it is worse when he takes the case to court in order to despoil another of his rights, as some of these Corinthians were doing.

Verse 9

1Co 6:9. Having dealt with the specific evil concerning going to law, the apostle broadens his teaching to consider various forms of evil. Chief among the corruptions that existed among the people of Corinth was the different forms of immorality that were practiced by many with very little concern as to right or wrong. In fact, much of that was a part of the heathen religious ceremonies of that country, which accounts for the indifferent attitude that even the professed disciples of Christ showed on the subject. The present verse, also some others in the chapter, will show us how much concern the apostle felt over it. The word effeminate and the phrase abusers of themselves with mankind both refer to sodomites. The second means a male who uses another male in the place of a female, and the first means a male who permits his body to be so used. (See the notes at Rom 1:27, volume 1 of the New Testament Commentary, on the subject in the italicized phrase.)

Verse 10

1Co 6:10. Most of the characters named are so well known as not to need detailed comment. Revilers are those who use false degrading speech against others, and extortioners are men who acquire unjust gain from others on one pretense or another.

Verse 11

1Co 6:11. Some of the Corinthians had been guilty .of these evils, but the Gospel had shown them the way to be redeemed from such practices. Yet they were in constant danger of going back to them if they were not vigilant, hence the apostle is sending them this teaching contained in several of the verses. Washed, sanctified and justified all refer to the work of becoming a Christian, which was completed by having their bodies washed with pure water (Heb 10:22).

Verse 12

1Co 6:12. The original word for expedient is defined "profitable" in Thayer's lexicon. A thing could not be profitable that was not lawful, but it might be lawful and not profitable. This verse has special reference to foods of all kinds. (See next verse.) There is no direct legislation against any kind of food (Rom 14:1-3; 1Ti 4:4), but it would not be profitable for a Christian to become a slave to his appetite, and Paul says he will not be brought under it.

Verse 13

1Co 6:13. A more convenient wording of the first clause would be, "foods for the body, and the body for foods." These two are perfectly adapted to each other, but they are both to be done away with, which is the meaning of destroy, and that is why Paul declared in the preceding verse that he would not allow himself to become enslaved by his appetite. This teaching is true independent of any other subject, but Paul is using it to introduce another point about the right use of the body. The same physical use is made of the body in the act of fornication as in lawful intimacy, but the Lord did not intend for man to abuse his body in that way, any more than He intended for him to abuse the use of food for the body. It is easy to see why the apostle is again dealing with the subject of immorality, in view of the prevalence of that evil in Corinth.

Verse 14

1Co 6:14. The destruction of the body mentioned in the preceding verse, did not mean its annihilation, but that its temporal form requiring food would be discontinued. The human body is made in the image of God, and its importance in His estimation is great, so much so that it will be raised from the dead at the last day.

Verse 15

1Co 6:15. The value of a man's body is still in the apostle's mind, and he declares it is a member of Christ; not literally, of course, but a part of that great body of which Christ is a member. In view of such a sacred relation, Paul deplores the sin of using the body to unite with an immoral woman, again referring to the loose morals being practiced by so many in Corinth.

Verse 16

1Co 6:16. We know the apostle was not using that statement in some special or strained sense, for he supports it by quoting the words of God and Christ where we know the language applies to the intimate relation of the sexes, the only "ceremony" the Lord ever gave as a basis of marriage. (See Gen 2:24; Mat 19:5-6.)

Verse 17

1Co 6:17. The intimate relations of a male and female make them one body, and the faithful joining of a disciple to the person of Christ makes them one spirit.

Verse 18

1Co 6:18. Flee fornication. The prevalence of immorality in Corinth, and its effects on the disciples of Christ, continues to be one of the apostle's chief concerns. To fee from a thing means more than merely not partaking; it means to run away as from a poisonous adder. Every sin refers to sins of a material or physical nature, not that immorality is the only sin that a man can commit within his own personality, for when he harbors filthy thoughts, that is a sin within his own person. However, they are not bodily sins, while fornication is: it constitutes a sin against his body that was made in the image of God.

Verse 19

1Co 6:19. In chapter 3:16 Paul tells the Corinthians that "ye are the temple of God," and it means they as a congregation. In our present verse he tells the same brethren that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. There is no discrepancy, for the church is made up of individuals, whose bodies must be kept pure in order that the church as a whole may be pure. This is why God claims possession of the bodies of the saints; it is in order that His spiritual body may be right.

Verse 20

1Co 6:20. If a person wishes to own something he will pay a price for it, and the value of the price will depend on the estimation he has of the thing to be bought. God rated the persons (both fleshly and spiritual) of the disciples so highly, that He paid the price of the blood of Christ for them (Act 20:28; 1Pe 1:18-19). It is hence the duty of Christians to use their bodies and spirits (minds) in such a way as to glorify God.