1 Corinthians, Chapter 6
© Copyright 2002 Darroll Evans, all rights reserved

1 Corinthians 6:1-8
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.
5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

Now, Paul addresses the situation of Christians going to court to seek redress. I know that I may anger some, but this is a time when Paul gave his personal advice. In Chapter 7 of 1^st Corinthians Paul announces that he was giving his personal opinion. This is another case. Although it is excellent advice, it is his advice.

The problem is having a heathen judge between two Christians. Our societies have given the heathen status of many judges today by electing and appointing them to be judges. Ever since the Warren court, the judicial system in American has been in a state of free fall. If two Christians cannot reach agreement in a judicial matter, one or both of them has forsaken Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

The fact is that the righteous before God shall inherit, become rulers in the Kingdom of God. After listing several sinful practices, Paul reminds us that "such were some of you." Notice the past tense is used. God determines who will be the recipients of His grace. We do not!

Paul continues in verse 11, "ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." As Christians, we have been cleansed. We have been sanctified to the service of Christ, and justified before God the Father.

If we properly understand the power of God’s grace we will put aside all unrighteousness and proclaim His victory instead of seeking to dominate others of the Way. Jesus Christ is the One and Only Head of the Church on earth and in heaven. Christ alone carried our sin away. That should be the motivating factor for all our actions in life.

1 Corinthians 6:12 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.

Do you understand freedom in Christ?

We are free from sin, not free to sin! Most people that speak English do not understand semantics. Freedom is not anarchy! Love is not lust! We have not been forgiven so that we can once again feed at the hog trough of sin.

1 Corinthians 6:13-14
13 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.
14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

Things have been created for a purpose. We were not created to sin. We were created to worship and fellowship with God. The same Father that raised up Christ Jesus in victory shall display His power in us.

1 Corinthians 6:15-17
15 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.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

By God’s grace we are now members of the body of Christ. We shall not be removed

John 10:27-28
27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (NKJV)

John 18:9b "Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none." (NKJV)

Hebrews 13:5b For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (NKJV)

You are not the source or enforcer of grace. That job belongs to God.

2^nd Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. (NKJV)

Verses 16 & 17 teach a principle that few understand. If you lie down with a harlot, you become a harlot. If you are attached to Christ you become righteous. Paul was speaking of spiritual matters.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 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?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Because we are free, we should shun the bondage of sin. The temple of the Holy God shall not become a warehouse for sin. Do you understand that you have become the property of Christ Jesus? You were bought with a price. Jesus is now your proprietor! We should actively glorify Him in all ways at all times that is why we have been set apart.

Chapter 7
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