1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Summary for 1Cor 6:12-20: 6:12-20 a Paul gives several reasons why Christians must not engage in sexual immorality. 6:12 b “I am allowed to do anything” seems to have been a popular attitude among some Christians who were sexually immoral. Paul counters this attitude by emphasizing that not all things are helpful; true Christians must lead disciplined lives (cp. 10:23 c; Gal 5:13 d).Summary for 1Cor 6:13-14: 6:13-14 e “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food”: This statement was apparently used by some Corinthian Christians to rationalize their sexual immorality on the analogy that “the body was made for sex, and sex for the body.” It is a false analogy, because our bodies ... were made for the Lord, and sexual immorality does not glorify him. In light of his concern for our bodies and the coming resurrection from the dead, our bodies must be used for holy purposes in God’s service.
Summary for 1Cor 6:15-17: 6:15-17 f To be a Christian is to be spiritually joined to Christ in both life and death (cp. Rom 6:3-11 g). As a result, believers’ bodies have become parts of Christ (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-28 h; Rom 12:4-5 i). This spiritual union (cp. John 14:20 j; 17:21-23 k) means that they are not free to violate their bodies by physical union with a prostitute.
Summary for 1Cor 6:18-20: 6:18-20 l For Christians, the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (see study note on 3:16-17; cp. 2 Cor 6:16 m). Sexual sin violates this sacred sanctuary and the divine presence.
• You do not belong to yourself: Christians can no longer claim their bodies as their own, as they have been bought ... with a high price, the blood of Christ (cp. 1 Cor 7:23 n; Rev 5:9 o), and every part of their lives has been claimed by Christ for God’s glory (see Rom 14:7-9 p; 2 Cor 5:14-15 q).
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