and you belong to Christ
This phrase emphasizes the intimate and personal relationship believers have with Jesus Christ. The Greek word for "belong" here is "ἐστε" (este), which is a form of the verb "to be," indicating a state of existence or identity. This suggests that being in Christ is not merely a matter of association but of essence and identity. Historically, the early church understood this belonging as a transformative union with Christ, where believers are seen as part of His body, the church. This union is both spiritual and communal, reflecting the early Christian understanding of being part of a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Theologically, this belonging signifies a shift from the old self to a new identity rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is a call to live in accordance with the teachings and example of Christ, reflecting His love, humility, and obedience to God.

and Christ belongs to God
This phrase highlights the hierarchical yet intimate relationship within the Trinity. The Greek word for "belongs" is not explicitly present in the original text but is implied in the structure, indicating a relationship of order and purpose. Theologically, this reflects the concept of the economic Trinity, where Christ, the Son, willingly submits to the Father, not in essence or divinity, but in role and function. Historically, this understanding was crucial in the early church to combat heresies that either denied the divinity of Christ or misunderstood His relationship with the Father. The phrase underscores the unity and distinct roles within the Godhead, affirming that while Christ is fully God, He operates in perfect harmony and submission to the Father’s will. This relationship is a model for believers, illustrating the importance of submission, unity, and purpose within the body of Christ and in their relationship with God. It serves as a reminder that all authority and purpose ultimately flow from God the Father, through Christ, to His followers.

(23) And Christ is God's.--Probably these words were added, not only as being the great climax of the gradual ascent up which the Apostle's thoughts and language have gone in the whole passage, but as avoiding any danger of the party who called themselves by the name of Christ, arrogating anything to themselves from the previous words, "Ye are Christ's," if the passage had concluded with them. Christ is God's as being Mediator (as John 14:28; John 17:3.) There was no danger, in that early age of the Church, of these words being misunderstood (as some have endeavoured to misunderstand them since) as in the least implying a want of absolute identity between the Son, in regard of His Divine Nature, and the Father.

Verse 23. - And ye are Christ's (see 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Corinthians 15:23; Romans 14:8; Galatians 3:29). Christians possess because they are possessed by Christ (Meyer). Christ is our Master, and God our Father (Matthew 23:10). And Christ is God's; because "Christ is equal to the Father as touching his Godhead, but inferior to the Father as touching his manhood." Hence in 1 Corinthians 11:3 he says, "The head of Christ is God;" and in 1 Corinthians 15:28, we read of Christ resigning his mediatorial kingdom, that God may be all in all. Perhaps St. Paul implies the thought that Christ belongs, not to a party, but to God, the Father of us all. But the ultimate climax from Christ to God is found also in 1 Corinthians 4:1: Romans 15:5, etc.

Parallel Commentaries ...

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

you
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

[belong to] Christ,
Χριστοῦ (Christou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

and
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

Christ
Χριστὸς (Christos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

[belongs to] God.
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:23 And you are Christ's and Christ (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)