1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! 7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God both raised up 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 harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. 18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Chapter Summary

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul addresses two major issues in the Corinthian church: lawsuits among believers and sexual immorality. He rebukes the Corinthians for taking their disputes to secular courts rather than handling conflicts within the church. Paul reminds them that as God’s people, they will one day judge the world, so they should be able to settle disputes among themselves in a way that honors Christ.

Paul then shifts to moral purity, warning that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. He lists various sinful lifestyles that separate people from God but reminds the Corinthians that they have been washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ.

Finally, Paul addresses sexual immorality, explaining that believers are temples of the Holy Spirit. He reminds them that their bodies belong to God and should be used to glorify Him. He emphasizes that sexual sin is different from other sins because it affects the body directly, and calls Christians to flee from it rather than try to resist it on their own.

Believers Should Handle Disputes with Godly Wisdom

Taking fellow Christians to court harms the church’s testimony. Instead of fighting, we should seek reconciliation and wise counsel within the body of Christ.

We Are Made New in Christ

Paul lists sinful behaviors that separate people from God but reminds us that through Jesus, we are washed, sanctified, and justified. Our identity is no longer in our past sins but in Christ’s redemption.

Our Bodies Belong to God

As temples of the Holy Spirit, we are called to honor God with our bodies, including our choices regarding purity and holiness.

Do I seek godly wisdom and reconciliation in conflicts, or do I allow pride and resentment to create division?

Consider how you handle disagreements—are you seeking peace or personal victory?

Do I truly see myself as washed and sanctified in Christ, or do I still live under the weight of past mistakes?

Ask God to help you fully embrace your new identity in Christ.

Am I treating my body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, honoring God in the way I live and make choices?

Reflect on ways you can glorify God with your body, whether in purity, health, or daily habits.

“Father, thank You for washing me clean and making me new in Christ. Help me to seek wisdom and peace in my relationships, to live in the freedom of Your grace, and to honor You with my body as Your temple. May my life reflect Your holiness and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”