A STUDY OF FIRST CORINTHIANS

Chapter 6

Introduction: In this chapter Paul breaks away from the situation he had previously addressed in chapter 5 by addressing a new situation in 6:1-11. In verses 12-20 he seems to get back to the theme of sexual immorality. However, why did Paul disrupt his thought concerning immorality to speak on lawsuits? I believe the two are related in this context. In chapter 5:12, Paul says to them that their concern was not to judge those who are outside. In chapter 6, establishes this point further by saying that those who are outside ought not judge us on matters within. He lets them know that they were not handling those internal matters that affected the welfare, integrity and unity of the congregation in an effective manner.

Taking a Brother in Christ To Court 

Verse 1. Paul is saying to the brethren, “what courage you have or how dare you take a brother to court to be judged by those outside of the body of Christ.” Paul does not argue for Christian courts, but for arbitration on behalf of the parties involved. Incidentally, other passages help Paul’s argument along. According to Matthew 18:15-17, when there is a dispute between brethren they are to take the matter before the saints. I believe that this would include all matters of a potentially volatile and sinful nature (Marital, civil, social).

Verses 2-3. Paul raises to points of evidence to prove that God’s people are more than qualified to judge such matters. The first is that the saints will judge the world. Many views on this point have been commented on over the years. In the passage, Paul implies that they should not be ignorant of this point. Such a judgment, when considering verse 3, is in the future, final day. Presently, the angels are being reserved for judgment day (Jude 6). When those who have followed Christ are elevated to His side, they will join in the condemnation of the world by agreeing with the sentence imposed by the Lord (Rev. 19:1-5). Also, the judgment will make known to the world the uncompromising justice and mercy of God. The Lord will display the saints as a testimony to God’s justice and mercy and also put them forth as an answer to the question, “For the great day of his wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Rev. 6:17). The second piece of evidence is that the saints will judge angels. I believe that these will be all angels, for the saints will demonstrate that they are worthy of a higher place in heaven than the angels. If the saints can participate in the judgment that has eternal consequences, they should be qualified to judge in these simple matters.

Verses 4-6. Concerning everyday matters, Paul agonized over why Christians were allowing the very people that they had renounced (philosophies, values, views) to exercise judgments for them. When looked at from this perspective, those brethren should have felt shamed. To further shame them, Paul asks whether or not there is at least one wise man among them. In chapters 1-4, Paul rebuked their sense of wisdom among themselves. Previously they viewed themselves as even wiser than the apostles (4:10). Now they demonstrate that they are not so wise after all. After all brethren are suing brethren and taking their cases before non-Christians. Again, this should have shamed them. In a commentary by Robertson and Plummer, it is said, “that there should be disputes about things pertaining to this life, is bad; that Christian should go to law against Christian is worse; that Christian should do this before unbelievers is worst of all.”

Verses 7-8. The fact that brethren are having such disputes with each other is sinful enough. Instead, Paul says that they should apply the teaching of Christ in this matter (Matt. 5:38-42). We have become so, “I must assert my rights” happy that to think of doing what Jesus said concerning this, is far from our minds. Even if you are right in a matter and are the injured party, when a brother is involved it is better to allow yourself to be wronged than to be the one who wrongs and cheats by taking the brethren to court or allowing the matter to go to court. We would merely be hanging dirty laundry for all the world to see and blaspheme the name of Christ when we use the legal system as a tool of vengeance or a means to defraud.

Verses 9-11. Paul’s states what he does in this passage to give the indication that the conduct of these brethren was sinful and that such unrighteousness will never find its way into the kingdom of God. Paul lists and assortment of sins that were apparent in the lives of those members in Corinth. However, they are new. They must let the new man shine forth. They must keep moving forward toward the hope that they have and not digress in petty grievances. They had to and we must remember what we once were and who we now are in Jesus Christ.  

Glorifying God in Our Bodies

Verses 12-13. “All things” does not mean everything that anyone can imagine. Thus, a person does not have a license to do whatever he wants in live. Such would contradict the Bible. There are things that the Lord forbids such as murder, adultery, Theft, etc. There are things that the Lord demands that a person is not free to neglect such as worship, salvation, familial duties, etc. Then, there are those things which a person is able to due but is not required to do such as marry, exercise, eat meat, etc. The “all things” refer to those things which a person is free to do, but not required to do. Regarding these things, Paul says that, just because a person is free to do something does not mean that doing it would provide a benefit or would help. A person may have an impulse to do something, however he is not to enslave himself to his impulses. A person may want to eat bacon all the day long; however, just because he may desire to do so and is free to do so does not mean he should do so. Such may not be good for him. In verse 13, Paul clarifies exactly what he is talking about in verse 12: things that are lawful to do but not necessary to do. The body is intended to be fed with food, however a day will, come when the body will not so function.  Though the body does have desires and impulses that a person is free to satisfy, sexual immorality is not so intended. Paul draws a distinction as to how one should respond to the body’s appetites. Sexual immorality has spiritual ramifications. Man should do what he must to keep himself holy, fit and useful for the Lord (2 Tim. 2:21-22).

Verse 14. This point dovetails from what was mentioned by Paul in the previous verse. The belly will cease in its need and function while the body serves a continued purpose. It is destined to be raised as Christ was raised from the dead. The belly serves the body, but the body serves the Lord. Food is necessary to feed the belly; fornication is not only unnecessary, but also unlawful, especially in serving the higher purposes of God.

Verses 15-17. Here Paul argues clearly and simply that those in a relationship with Christ especially have an obligation to maintain purity that they may maintain the relationship. One cannot be in a relationship with a harlot and at the same time have a relationship with Christ. One is either one with Christ or one with the harlot. This passage does not argue that a person who commits fornication with another is automatically married to that person. It simply is highlighting the events that transpire that constitutes are relationship.

Verse 18. The command to “flee fornication” is a sensible one. There is nothing for a person to do that would be most fitting than to escape this awful danger. Anything less would be to promote uncleanness and to strike out against fidelity. To sit and reason out of fornication would be to linger at the problem. To sit and try to resist it when it is upon you is an effort in futility. When Joseph was tempted to lie with Potipher’s wife, he did not reason or resist, he ran. David, however, may have tried to resist or reason within himself as to why he should avoid the woman that his eyes beheld. Nonetheless, instead of running from her he ran to her. Unlike most sins people commit, this sin is against one’s body. Disease, uncleanness, pregnancy, etc. are the effects of fornication (sexual immorality). These affect the body. To avoid these effects one must flee sexual immorality.

Verses 19-20. Speaking to those who have been redeemed, Paul says that they need to realize that their bodies serve as a habitation for the Holy Spirit. The spirit is given as a seal of God’s ownership (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13). Thus, the body of the saint belongs to God and must be used in His service. God had paid a terrible price to possess the saint and for that the saint has an obligation to maintain his sanctity.