Lawsuits among Believers
When serious disagreements occur between two Christians, they...
When serious disagreements occur between two Christians, they should resolve them with the help of other believers, not in a secular court.
1If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints!
One day, believers will help judge the world....
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.
2Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
I say this to your shame: It is...
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.
4So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church? 5I say this to your shame. Is there really no one among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers? 6Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers!
7The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, even against your own brothers!†
Members of Christ
People who choose to sin will not be...
People who choose to sin will not be part of the kingdom of God. Christians should live in a way that shows their faith.
9Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Paul provides several reasons why Christians should avoid...
Paul provides several reasons why Christians should avoid sexual immorality.
12“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.
" Food for the stomach and the stomach...
"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.
13“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also.
Being a Christian means being spiritually connected to...
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.
15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”† 17But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.
The Temple of the Holy Spirit
(Romans 12:1–8; 1 Corinthians 3:16–23)
For Christians, the body is a temple of...
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).
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).
18Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.†