1 Corinthians 6 English Standard Version (ESV)

Flee Sexual Immorality

¹² “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. ¹³ “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴ And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. ¹⁵ Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! ¹⁶ Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.”¹⁷ But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. ¹⁸ Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

REFLECTION

• If time allows, read the whole chapter. Then read the passage for today.

• In both Ch 5 and 6, Paul has brought up the issue of the sexual conduct of Christians. Here Paul reminded Corinthian Christians that sexual immorality is unthinkable for the redeemed believers because of their union with Christ.
• The newspaper, television and roadside billboard are all covered with sexual images.  How do you see these things?  Nothing wrong? Uneasy but couldn’t help it? Disgusted and turned away?
• Have a quiet time with God. Silently consider your own body.  It’s for God and belongs to God and united with God.  Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you, pointing out any unclean, unjust behaviour or thought.  Ask for forgiveness and God’s help to honor God with your body.