1 Corinthians 6:12-20

About the Text

Usually I explain the difficult details of a Bible passage here. But I think it would be better for me to paraphrase the entire passage, in order for modern readers to better understand not only the details, but to also grasp the entire flow of Paul's argument. This passage has an important message for today, and I don't want to get too caught up in the difficulties of the text.

(12): You keep saying "Everything is permissible for me," but the truth is that not everything is beneficial for you. "Everything is permissible for me," you say again, but the truth is that you can be enslaved by the things you crave.

(13): Some of you even say, "Well, God doesn't care about my body. In the end, all physical things like food and my stomach, will be destroyed before I get to heaven. It's my soul He wants, not my body." But the truth is that your body was designed for serving the Lord, and not for prostitutes. See, the Lord does care about your body.

)14): In fact, He cares so much for it that He will raise our bodies from the dead, just as He raised Jesus.

(15): Also, don't you know that your bodies are actually a part of Christ? Shall I then take a part of Christ and unite it with a prostitute? Never!

(16): And didn't you know that when you have sex with a prostitute, God considers you one with her? That's why it says in the Old Testament, "the two will become one flesh."

(17): Instead of becoming one with a prostitute, we should become one with Christ.

(18): Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are different from sexual sin. Sexual sin is the only sin that destroys the dignity of the body that God gave you.

(19): Also, don't you know that your body is really a temple - it's where the Holy Spirit actually lives. Remember, when you became a Christian, your body no longer belonged to you but to the Lord.

(20): Jesus Christ suffered and died on the cross for you, to take the punishment you deserved, winning your release from Satan's control, and giving you a new life. Therefore, be thankful, by honoring God with your body.

Insights

Why believers must use also their physical bodies to glorify God:

1. God cares for your body, not just your soul. (12-14)

2. God designed your body to serve Him. (13)

3. Somehow, a Christian's physical body becomes a part of Christ. (15)

4. Contrary to popular opinion, God considers sexual immorality as uniquely destructive to your own body. (18)

5. God's Holy Spirit mysteriously lives in your physical body. (19)

6. Christ suffered and died to rescue you from Satan's control. Therefore, you have an obligation to submit your body to God. (20)

The Bottom Line

Believers, your body belongs to Christ. Christ died on the cross to save not only your souls, but also your physical body. Now, how can you honor God with your body? Next time you get out of the shower, stand in front of the mirror and ask, "Lord, tell me how I can glorify You with this body."

Key Memory Verses

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." 1 Cor. 6:19-20