Paul began addressing another issue in the Corinthian church by quoting a popular slogan: “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’” (1 Corinthians 6:12, NLT). He had heard this from them before, and it seems they used it to justify all kinds of behavior—from eating food sacrificed to idols to engaging in sexual immorality. While it’s true that Christians are free from the old legalistic rule-keeping that defined spirituality, Paul reminded them that freedom in Christ is not a license for sin. He countered with two principles: first, “not everything is good for you,” meaning that not all permissible things are spiritually beneficial; and second, “I must not become a slave to anything.” Liberty is never meant to lead to bondage. The Corinthians had let their desires master them, especially in the area of sexual sin, rather than allowing Christ to rule their bodies.
Paul then confronted another slogan they used: “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food” (6:13). They applied this logic to sex, arguing that sexual desire is as natural as hunger and should be satisfied whenever and however they pleased. Paul acknowledged that God created sex, but reminded them that the body is meant for the Lord, not for sexual immorality. Just as God raised Jesus’ body from the dead, He will raise ours—meaning our bodies have eternal value and belong to Christ. This truth should shape how we use them now.
To drive the point home, Paul reminded them that believers’ bodies are members of Christ himself (6:15). Physical union with a prostitute is more than a casual encounter—it creates a “one flesh” bond, just as in marriage (Genesis 2:24). For a believer, this means dragging Christ into that union, which is unthinkable. In contrast, when we come to Christ, we are joined to Him in spirit (6:17), and this sacred union should guide our choices.
Because of the unique nature of sexual sin, Paul commanded them to “Run from sexual sin!” (6:18). Unlike other sins, sexual immorality is a direct violation of one’s own body—a body that is united to Christ. He reminded them that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, given to them by God, and that they no longer belong to themselves. They were “bought with a high price”—the blood of Jesus—so they must honor God with their bodies (6:19–20). Paul’s point was clear: our physical bodies matter to God, are part of our relationship with Christ, and must be used for His glory, not for sinful indulgence.
Truths and Lessons for Today
1. Freedom in Christ Is Not a License for Sin
Christian liberty is real, but not everything we are free to do is beneficial. True freedom is living under Christ’s rule, not being enslaved to our desires.
🡲 Application: Before acting, ask, “Will this help me grow in Christ? Will it build up others? Will it honor God?”
📖 “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is good for you. And even though ‘I am allowed to do anything,’ I must not become a slave to anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12, NLT)
2. Your Body Belongs to Christ
Believers are not their own; our bodies are members of Christ and temples of the Holy Spirit. How we use them reflects our relationship with Him.
🡲 Application: Treat your body as something sacred—avoid what defiles it and actively use it in ways that glorify Christ.
📖 “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit… You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20, NLT)
3. Sexual Sin Is Spiritually and Personally Destructive
Sexual immorality is unique because it violates the very body that belongs to Christ and is joined to Him.
🡲 Application: Don’t try to manage temptation—flee from it entirely, setting clear boundaries and pursuing purity.
📖 “Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does.” (1 Corinthians 6:18, NLT)
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