1 Corinthians 6

Chapter Summary

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul instructs the church to resolve conflicts within the church rather than taking them to secular courts. He emphasizes that believers will judge the world and angels, so they should be able to settle their own disputes. Paul also addresses the issue of immorality, reminding the Corinthians that their bodies are members of Christ and that they should not be joined to a prostitute. He encourages them to flee from immorality and to glorify God with their bodies. Additionally, Paul teaches that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that believers should seek to honor God with their bodies.

Context for the Chapter

This chapter is part of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, which was written to address various issues that had arisen in the church. The chapter fits into the larger context of the letter, which emphasizes the importance of living a holy life and seeking to glorify God in all aspects of life. The chapter also connects to the broader biblical narrative, which emphasizes the importance of holiness and the need for believers to live in a way that is pleasing to God.

Heart Application

As believers, we should seek to apply the principles of this chapter to our own lives, striving to live in a way that honors God and glorifies Him with our bodies. We should be vigilant in our pursuit of holiness, avoiding anything that could lead us astray and seeking to promote holiness within our own community.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

This chapter teaches that believers should strive to live a holy life, separate from the world, and seek to glorify God with their bodies. As stated in 1 Corinthians 6:20, "You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." Believers should also seek to resolve conflicts within the church and avoid immorality. The chapter emphasizes the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God and seeking to honor Him in all aspects of life.

Voices from the Church

“The body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and we should seek to honor God with it. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:20, "You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."”

— John Calvin

“The Christian life is a life of holiness, and we should seek to live in a way that is pleasing to God. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:11, "You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."”

— Charles Spurgeon

Outline for Preaching

1. Resolving Conflicts within the Church (6:1-8) — Paul instructs the church to resolve conflicts within the church rather than taking them to secular courts. He emphasizes that believers will judge the world and angels, so they should be able to settle their own disputes.
2. The Dangers of Immorality (6:9-11) — Paul warns against the dangers of immorality and reminds the Corinthians that they were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
3. The Importance of Glorifying God (6:12-14) — Paul encourages the Corinthians to glorify God with their bodies, reminding them that their bodies are members of Christ.
4. The Body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit (6:15-17) — Paul reminds the Corinthians that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that they should seek to honor God with their lives.
5. Fleeing from Immorality (6:18-20) — Paul encourages the Corinthians to flee from immorality and to glorify God with their bodies, reminding them that they were bought at a price.

Core Doctrines

Sanctification

This chapter teaches that believers are called to live a holy life, separate from the world, and to seek to glorify God with their bodies. As stated in 1 Corinthians 6:11, "You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

The Temple of the Holy Spirit

The chapter reminds believers that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that they should seek to honor God with their lives. As stated in 1 Corinthians 6:19, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"

Justification

The chapter teaches that believers are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. As stated in 1 Corinthians 6:11, "You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

Glorification

The chapter encourages believers to glorify God with their bodies, reminding them that they were bought at a price. As stated in 1 Corinthians 6:20, "You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

Lessons from 1 Corinthians 6

1. The Importance of Holiness — This chapter teaches that believers are called to live a holy life, separate from the world, and to seek to glorify God with their bodies.
2. The Dangers of Immorality — The chapter warns against the dangers of immorality and reminds believers to flee from it.
3. The Body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit — The chapter reminds believers that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that they should seek to honor God with their lives.
4. Glorifying God with Our Bodies — The chapter encourages believers to glorify God with their bodies, reminding them that they were bought at a price.
5. Resolving Conflicts within the Church — The chapter teaches that believers should seek to resolve conflicts within the church rather than taking them to secular courts.

Themes from 1 Corinthians 6

1. Holiness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of living a holy life, separate from the world, and seeking to glorify God with our bodies.
2. Immorality — The chapter warns against the dangers of immorality and reminds believers to flee from it.
3. The Body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit — The chapter reminds believers that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and that they should seek to honor God with their lives.
4. Glorification — The chapter encourages believers to glorify God with their bodies, reminding them that they were bought at a price.
5. Church Discipline — The chapter teaches that believers should seek to resolve conflicts within the church rather than taking them to secular courts.

Questions for Meditation

1. What does it mean to live a holy life, and how can I apply this principle to my own life?
2. How can I seek to glorify God with my body, and what are some practical ways to do this?
3. What are some dangers of immorality, and how can I avoid them in my own life?
4. What does it mean for my body to be a temple of the Holy Spirit, and how should this affect my daily life?
5. How can I seek to resolve conflicts within the church, and what are some biblical principles for doing this?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 6

	Sermon	Description
	(The Mission and Ministry of the Holy Spirit) the Power of the Holy Spirit by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and importance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. He encourages the congregation to seek a deeper relationship with Jes
	'Eyes Right' by C.H. Spurgeon	The sermon transcript is a message from C.H. Spurgeon delivered at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. The main theme is the importance of having a clear and focused purpose in life. Spur
	Free to Do by Kathryn Kuhlman	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and accepting God as the ultimate authority in our lives. He compares the disciplined self to an aviator who mu
	Your Reasonable Service by Leonard Ravenhill	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the life and achievements of Blaise Pascal, whom he considers the greatest intellectual in world history. He highlights Pascal's early mathema
	(Deeper Waters) Session 1 - the Purpose of the Cross by David Ravenhill	In this sermon, James emphasizes the brevity and uncertainty of life, comparing it to a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes. He urges listeners to acknowledge the
	Anti-Booze Efforts by Billy Sunday	Billy Sunday passionately preaches against alcohol, expressing his determination to combat the saloon culture that he believes leads to the destruction of lives and families. He em
	All to Jesus (Compilation) by Compilations	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of focusing on one thing in order to reach the mark set by God. He highlights the example of the Apostle Paul, who never look
	Prohibition (Edited) by Billy Sunday	In this sermon, the preacher highlights the negative impact of excessive taxation on alcohol in America. He argues that the government's decision to impose a $2 tax on whiskey and
	How to Cultivate the Holy Spirits Presence by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the speaker criticizes a pastor who prioritizes watching a televised fight over a missionary convention. He emphasizes the importance of hungering for God and havin
	(1 Corinthians) ch.6:7-6:20 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of avoiding not only sinful things but also unprofitable things in the Christian life. He specifically mentions the area of fo

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6

In this chapter, Paul teaches the Corinthians about the importance of living a holy life and seeking to glorify God with their bodies. He emphasizes the dangers of immorality and reminds them that they were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Paul also encourages the Corinthians to resolve conflicts within the church and to seek to honor God with their lives. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The apostle here reproves the Corinthians for their carnal contentions and law-suits, and shows them that it is a great shame and scandal for Christians to go to law one with another, and that it is much better to suffer wrong than to go to law.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?