Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Corinthians 6

When serious disagreements occur between two Christians, they should resolve them with the help of other believers, not in a secular court.

One day, believers will help judge the world. Even angels will assist alongside the Son of Man, who is the Judge of all people (see Daniel 7:13, 22, 27; Matthew 19:28; John 5:27; Acts 17:31; Revelation 3:21; 20:4). Because of this responsibility, Christians should resolve their disagreements over small matters.

I say this to your shame: It is a problem for Christians to settle disputes in non-religious courts, as if no one in the church can help resolve them.

• The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already: Suing a fellow believer shows self-interest instead of caring for others or honoring God.

• Why not rather be wronged?: Christians should follow Christ's example of self-sacrifice (see Matthew 5:38–42).

Some of the Corinthian believers were not following Christ's example of sacrificial love. They were cheating even their fellow believers. Their actions and attitudes were wrong.

People who choose to sin will not be part of the kingdom of God. Christians should live in a way that shows their faith.

• Do not be deceived: Sin is misleading, and believers should not take it lightly or think it is acceptable (Jeremiah 17:9).

• Continuing to engage in sexual sin without repentance shows a heart not renewed by the Holy Spirit. Sexual sins include adultery (see Exodus 20:14; Matthew 5:27–28) and practicing homosexuality (compare Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26–27; 1 Timothy 1:10).

nor … will inherit the kingdom of God: Repeating this point (also 6:9) highlights the serious consequences of living in sin. For similar warnings, see Galatians 5:19–21; Ephesians 5:5; compare Colossians 3:5–6.

• After the strong warning in Leviticus 6:9–10, Paul reassures his readers of their true conversion.

• But you were washed: (see Acts 22:16) Cleanliness symbolizes the righteousness that comes from forgiveness (see Titus 3:5). God himself made them holy (see 1 Corinthians 1:2).

• They became right with God through their connection with the Lord Jesus Christ and the transformative work of the Spirit of our God. God forgave them. He views them as righteous (see Romans 1:17; 3:21–26), and their lives have truly improved (see Titus 3:5–7).

Paul provides several reasons why Christians should avoid sexual immorality.

Some Christians believed they could do anything, including being sexually immoral. Paul disagrees, saying not everything is beneficial. True Christians should live disciplined lives (see 10:23; Galatians 5:13).

"Food for the stomach and the stomach for food": Some Corinthian Christians used this idea to justify their sexual immorality. They claimed, "The body was made for sex, and sex for the body." This analogy is false because our bodies were made for the Lord, and sexual immorality does not honor him. Given his care for our bodies and the future resurrection, we must use our bodies for holy purposes in God's service.

Being a Christian means being spiritually connected to Christ in both life and death (see Romans 6:3–11). Because of this, believers' bodies are parts of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12:12–28; Romans 12:4–5). This spiritual connection (see John 14:20; 17:21–23) means they should not misuse their bodies by joining with a prostitute.

• For Christians, the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (see study note on 1 Corinthians 3:16–17; compare 2 Corinthians 6:16). Sexual sin violates this sacred space and the divine presence.

• You are not your own: Christians cannot claim their bodies as their own because they have been bought with a high price, the blood of Christ (compare 1 Corinthians 7:23; Revelation 5:9). Christ has claimed every part of their lives for God’s glory (see Romans 14:7–9; 2 Corinthians 5:14–15).