1 Corinthians 6
Dort1 The apostle here reproves some more faults among the Corinthians, whereof the first is, that they aid not rather make an of the differences that were amongst them about worldly matters, between themselves in a friendly manner, then bring them before unbelieving Magistrates. 2 Proves that this was not seemly for believers, forasmuch they shall judge the world and the Angels. 7 Afterwards shews the original from whence the difference arose, namely, from want of love, forbearance and justice. 9 Testifies that the righteous and other scandalous persons shall not inherit the Kingdome of heaven. 11 And that it was unfitting for them that they should yet henceforward be like unto them, because by the Spirit of God they were delivered from the dominion of such sins. 12 Reproves yet another fault in them, consisting in the abuse of meat, and other things concerning the belly, but especially fornication. 15 Proves afterwards by many reasons how unseemly that is for Christians, 19 whose bodies are Temples of the Holy Ghost, which are clearly bought, and who must glorifie God in body and spirit.
1. Direth any one of you hath a matter [That is, a difference about worldly things. See v.3.] against another, go to law [Gr. Be judged, or let him be judged] before the unjust [namely, Magistrates which he so calleth, because the Magistrates at that time were most Heathen, and strangers from faith in Christ, and true righteousness, and for the most part also oppressors of Christians] and not before the Saints?
2. Know ye not that the Saints [That is, the faithful whom he so names, because they are sanctified by the spirit of Christ, and by their holy profession and their holy sacraments are separated from others] shall judge the world? And if the world be judged [that is, shall be] by [Gr. In you] you, [namely, as Assessors of Christ the universal judge, whose sentence they shall also approve and justify, Mat. 19.v.28. Luke 22.v.30.] are ye unworthy of the smallest law-matters? [so he calls the matters of this life and of this world, because they are to be esteemed nothing in respect of the heavenly and spiritual.]
3. Knew ye not that we shall judge the Angels? [Namely, which have sinned, and are kept with chains of darkness unto the day of great judgment. See Matthew 25:41. 2 Pet. 2.4. Jude v.6.] how much more the things that concern this life?
4. If therefore ye have law-matters which concerns this life, set them (about it) who are least esteemed [Gr. Are esteemed for naught, namely, according to the judgment of some among you] in the Church. [namely, rather then the unrighteous or Heathen. This the Apostle speaks by comparison, against those that thought that no man in the Church was wise enough to end their differences: but the Apostle expounds this in the following verse, and commands that they should take the wisest and understanding of them for Mediators in these matters. See Exodus 18:21.]
5. I speak (this) to you shame. Is there so then none among you that is wise, no not one who might be able to judge betwixt his brethren? [Gr. Betwixt his brother, i.e. betwixt one believer and another, as the following verse declares.]
6. But the (one) brother goeth to the law with the (other) brother, and that before unbelievers. [The Apostle therefore doth not altogether forbid to go to law before Magistrates, but only before unbelievers with offence and scandal; even as he also doth not forbid when any one is oppressed by others, or sued at law, that he might not defend himself by the help of unbelieving Magistrates. For he himself also in such a case appealed unto unbelieving Magistrates; and made use of their help, not only against the Gentiles, but also against the Jews. See Acts 22.v.25. and chapter 23.17. and chapter 25.10.]
7. Now therefore there is altogether a defect [Gr. Hertema, which here signifies a want of love or courage whereby evill inclinations are overcome] among you, that ye have law-suites one another. Why do ye not rather suffer wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer loss?
8. But ye [That is, some among you] do wrong and procures loss, and that your brethren.
9. Or know ye not that the righteous [That is, they that do others wrong or injury] shall not inherit the Kingdome of God? [that is, the eternal glory in heaven, which is hee called an inheritance, because it is given not of merit, but to those only whom God of his hath taken for his children.]
10. Do not err [Or deceive not yourselves] neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor wantons, nor they that lye with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards: nor rattlers, nor extortioners shall inherit the Kingdome of God? [namely, except they repent, and leave off to be such any more, Matthew 21:31,32. as the following verse imports.]
11. And this were some of you: [Namely, one in the one, and another in the another. For although in all Gentiles, all these sins were not always manifest, yet nevertheless the root of all men was in them, and the one or the other upon occasion always breaks forth: but they were all idolaters, See Romans 1:29. Eph. 2.v.1,2,3. and chapter 4.v.17.18.] but ye are washed off, [that is, purged from the reigning power of such sins, namely, by your sanctification or regeneration, and by your justification, consisting in the forgiving of sins, and imputation of righteousness of Christ, whereof baptism is a sign and seal See Mark 1:4. Acts 22:16. Romans 6:4. Ephesians 5:26. Titus 3:5. 1 Pet. 3.21.] but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, [that is, for Jesus Christ and his merits sake. For the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all our sins, 1 John 1:7. Revelation 1:5.] and by the spirit of our God.
12. All things [Namely, which are indifferent, and not forbidden in Gods word, of the use whereof he here speaks briefly, and shall speak more largely hereafter, chapter 7.8, 9, 10, 11. and will distinguish them from others] are lawful for me; but all things are not profitable: all things are lawful for me, but I will not suffer my self to be brought under the power of any. [that is, that I should suffer my self to be bound by any humane command not to make use of that which the Lord hath left free to me, when I can do it without offence of others. See Romans 14:14. 1 Cor. 7.23. and 10.23. or I will not suffer my self to be domineered over by any thing, namely, so that I should bring my self in bondage to things different, not to use them for the edification of my neighbour.]
13. Meats are for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God shall bring to naught both this [Namely, belly: not in respect of its being which is a part of mans body, temporal and natural life which shall no more be needful then. See Mat. 22.ver.30. 1 Cor. 15.44. Revel. 7.ver.16,17.] and them. But the body is not for fornication] namely, which the Gentiles held for an indifferent thing, and which at Corinth it self, where a public Temple was erected for this sin, was very common. Therefore Apostle treats thereof first and particularly, before he comes to other things, which they also held for indifferent, and in which they laid needless snares for themselves, or sinned grievously] but for the Lord, i.e. to use the same for the service of the Lord Jesus Christ] and the Lord for the body. [that is, the Lord is also a Lord of the Body, seeing he gave up himself not only for the redemption of the soul, but also of the body, ver.20.
14. And God hath also raised the Lord, and shall raise up us [That is, our bodies to glory, Romans 8:11. Philippians 3:21.] by his power.
15. Know ye not that your bodies [That is, your bodies also. For seeing true believers are wholly united to Christ as their head, 1 Cor. 12. ver. 12. 17. their bodies are also apart of his spiritual body] are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ, and make them members of a whore? Far be it.
16. Or know ye not that adhere to a whore are one body (with her?) for they two saith he shall be for one flesh. [This place taken out of Genesis 2:24. is properly spoken of the bond of marriage: but Paul applies it also to fornication, because such dishonest love and carnal union, binds these persons one to another dishonestly and lawfully; even as marriage binds them lawfully and honestly.]
17. But he that adheres to the Lord, [Namely, by true faith and sincere love] is one spirit (with him), [that is spiritual; or united unto him by his Spirit, 1 Cor. 12. 13.]
18. Flee fornication. Every sin which a man doth, [Namely, which is done by a man in the outward act] is without the body: [that is, abuseth somewhat, or doth hurt to somewhat which is without a man himself] but he that committeth fornication, he sinneth [this must be understood comparatively, namely, more than any other sin. For howsoever a drunkard and glutton abuseth his body also, yet nevertheless it is done by somewhat that is no part of his body, as meat and drink; and doth likewise much hurt and shame to his body, but not so great as fornication] against [or, in] his own body.
19. Or know ye not that your body is a Temple of the Holy Ghost, [Which therefore must be kept pure and clean, and wherein God will be served: which the Apostle testifies also of the whole man, 2 Cor. 6. 16] which is in you, which ye have of God, [namely, to assure you of your adoption, Rom. 8. ver. 11, 15. 2 Cor. 1. 22.] and (that) ye are not your own. [namely, to do your own will, but the will of him to whom ye belong.]
20. For ye are dearly bought: [Gr. By price, namely, by the precious blood of Christ, 1 Pet. 1. 18. 19. Revel. 5. 9.] therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, [that is, with body and soul which is renewed by the Holy Ghost] which are Gods. [namely, not only ny the right of creation, but also by the right of redemption.]