Lesson 4786

 (Lesson 4786) (03-13-25) 1st Corinthians 6:12-20 

   “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul addressed the Corinthians' misuse of Christian liberty, reminding them that not everything permissible is beneficial. He warned against being enslaved by sinful desires, particularly sexual immorality, emphasizing that the body is meant for the Lord, not for sin. Paul explained that just as God raised Jesus from the dead, He will also raise believers, affirming the sanctity of their bodies. 

Paul emphasized that believers are members of Christ’s body, meaning that they have literally been baptized by the Holy Spirit, into the body of Jesus Christ at the moment of salvation. This spiritual union with Christ makes them one with Him, literally a part of Jesus. Therefore, engaging in sexual sin defiles this sacred connection. He urged them to flee immorality, reminding them that sexual sin uniquely affects the body, which is the temple of the holy Spirit. Paul concluded by stating that believers are not their own, as they were bought with a price, and should therefore glorify God in their bodies, honoring their spiritual union with Christ. ~