1 Corinthians 6:12
New International Version
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything"—but I will not be mastered by anything.

New Living Translation
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.

English Standard Version
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Berean Standard Bible
“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.

Berean Literal Bible
"All things are lawful to me," but not all things do profit. "All things are lawful to me," but I will not be mastered by anything.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
All things are permitted for me, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

NASB 1995
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

NASB 1977
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

Legacy Standard Bible
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

Amplified Bible
Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me].

Christian Standard Bible
“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be brought under the control of anything. “

American Standard Version
All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Contemporary English Version
Some of you say, "We can do anything we want to." But I tell you not everything is good for us. So I refuse to let anything have power over me.

English Revised Version
All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Someone may say, "I'm allowed to do anything," but not everything is helpful. I'm allowed to do anything, but I won't allow anything to gain control over my life.

Good News Translation
Someone will say, "I am allowed to do anything." Yes; but not everything is good for you. I could say that I am allowed to do anything, but I am not going to let anything make me its slave.

International Standard Version
Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not allow anything to control me.

Majority Standard Bible
“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.

NET Bible
"All things are lawful for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "All things are lawful for me"--but I will not be controlled by anything.

New Heart English Bible
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought under the power of anything.

Webster's Bible Translation
All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Weymouth New Testament
Everything is allowable to me, but not everything is profitable. Everything is allowable to me, but to nothing will I become a slave.

World English Bible
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are expedient. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be brought under the power of anything.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
All things are lawful to me, but all things are not profitable; all things are lawful to me, but I will not be under authority by any;

Berean Literal Bible
"All things are lawful to me," but not all things do profit. "All things are lawful to me," but I will not be mastered by anything.

Young's Literal Translation
All things are lawful to me, but all things are not profitable; all things are lawful to me, but I -- I will not be under authority by any;

Smith's Literal Translation
All things are lawful to me, but all are not profitable: all are lawful to me, but I will not be exercised by power under any.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful to me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Catholic Public Domain Version
All is lawful to me, but not all is expedient. All is lawful to me, but I will not be driven back by the authority of anyone.

New American Bible
“Everything is lawful for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful for me,” but I will not let myself be dominated by anything.

New Revised Standard Version
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not advisable for me: indeed all things are lawful for me but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Everything is legal for me, but not everything is useful for me. Everything is legal for me, but no man will have dominion over me.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
All meats are lawful for me: but all are not profitable. All are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under subjection by any.

Godbey New Testament
All things are lawful to me, but all things are not profitable: all things are lawful, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Haweis New Testament
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not put myself under the power of any.

Mace New Testament
Are all things lawful for me? however, all things are not expedient: are all things lawful for me? however, I will not be a slave to any.

Weymouth New Testament
Everything is allowable to me, but not everything is profitable. Everything is allowable to me, but to nothing will I become a slave.

Worrell New Testament
All things are lawful for me; but all are not profitable. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the control of any.

Worsley New Testament
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be under the power of any:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Members of Christ
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. 12“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. 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.…

Cross References
Galatians 5:13
For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.

Romans 14:14-23
I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. / If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died. / Do not allow what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil. ...

1 Corinthians 10:23-24
“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. / No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

Romans 6:15-18
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not! / Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? / But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. ...

1 Peter 2:16
Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

Romans 8:2
For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.

2 Peter 2:19
They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

John 8:34-36
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. / A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever. / So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Galatians 5:16-17
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

Romans 7:15-25
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. / And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good. / In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ...

Matthew 5:29-30
If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. / And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell.

James 1:25
But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.

1 John 3:4-6
Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness. / But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. / No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him.

Proverbs 25:16
If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.


Treasury of Scripture

All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

things are lawful.

1 Corinthians 10:23
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

Romans 14:14
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

are not.

1 Corinthians 8:4,7-13
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one…

1 Corinthians 9:12
If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:24-33
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth

but I.

1 Corinthians 9:27
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Romans 7:14
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Hebrews 12:15,16
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; …

Jump to Previous
Allowable Authority Beneficial Enslaved Expedient Free Helpful Lawful Mastered Permissible Power Profit Profitable Slave Wise
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Allowable Authority Beneficial Enslaved Expedient Free Helpful Lawful Mastered Permissible Power Profit Profitable Slave Wise
1 Corinthians 6
1. The Corinthians must take their brothers to court;
6. especially under infidels.
9. The wicked shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
15. Our bodies are the members of Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit:
19. they must not therefore be defiled.














All things are lawful for me
This phrase, often repeated by Paul, is believed to be a slogan used by some Corinthians to justify their behavior. The Greek word for "lawful" is "ἔξεστιν" (exestin), which means permissible or allowed. Paul acknowledges Christian liberty, emphasizing that believers are not under the law but under grace. However, this freedom is not a license to sin. Historically, Corinth was a city known for its moral laxity, and some Christians might have misinterpreted their freedom in Christ as an endorsement of all behaviors.

but not everything is beneficial
The Greek word for "beneficial" is "συμφέρει" (sympherei), meaning profitable or advantageous. Paul introduces a principle of discernment, urging believers to consider the spiritual and communal benefits of their actions. In a city like Corinth, where pagan practices were prevalent, the challenge was to live in a way that edified both the individual and the church body. This echoes the biblical call to pursue what builds up rather than what merely satisfies personal desires.

All things are lawful for me
Repeating the phrase underscores the importance of understanding Christian liberty correctly. Paul is not contradicting himself but rather emphasizing the need for balance. The repetition serves as a rhetorical device to draw attention to the potential misuse of freedom. In the broader scriptural context, freedom in Christ is always tied to responsibility and love for others.

but I will not be mastered by anything
The Greek word for "mastered" is "ἐξουσιασθήσομαι" (exousiasthēsomai), which implies being brought under the power or control of something. Paul warns against becoming enslaved by habits or desires, even if they are technically permissible. This reflects a deeper spiritual truth: true freedom in Christ means not being dominated by sin or worldly desires. Historically, Corinth was a hub of various influences, and the temptation to be controlled by them was significant. Paul calls believers to exercise self-control, a fruit of the Spirit, ensuring that their freedom leads to holiness rather than bondage.

(12) All things are lawful unto me.--This was probably a statement which the Apostle had himself made; at all events, the freedom which it expresses was very dear to him, and it may have been misused by some as an argument for universal license. St. Paul, therefore, boldly repeats it, and proceeds to show that it is a maxim of Christian liberty, which does not refer to matters which are absolutely wrong, and that even in its application to indifferent matters it must be limited, and guarded by other Christian principles. "The eating of things sacrificed to idols (see Note on 1Corinthians 8:4), and the committing fornication," were two subjects of discussion closely connected with heathen worship; and it may seem astonishing to us now that because St. Paul had maintained the right of individual liberty concerning the former, he should perhaps have been quoted as an authority for liberty regarding the latter, yet it is a matter of fact that such a mode of reasoning was not uncommon. They were both regarded as part and parcel of heathen worship, and therefore, as it were, to stand or fall together, as being matters vital or indifferent. (See Acts 15:29, and Revelation 11:14, as illustrations of the union of the two for purposes respectively of condemnation and of improper toleration.) We must not regard the use of the singular "me" as being in any sense a limitation of the principle to the Apostle personally. "Paul often speaks in the first person singular, which has the force of a moral maxim, especially in this Epistle (1Corinthians 6:15; 1Corinthians 7:7; 1Corinthians 8:13; 1Corinthians 10:23; 1Corinthians 10:29-30; 1Corinthians 14:11)" (Bengel). The words refer to all Christians. . . . Verses 12-20. - The inexcusable sin and shame of fornication. Verse 12. - All things are lawful unto me. The abruptness with which the phrase is introduced perhaps shows that, in the letter of the Corinthians to St. Paul, they had used some such expression by way of palliating their lax tolerance of violations of the law of purity. By "all things," of course, is only meant "all things which are indifferent in themselves." They erroneously applied this maxim of Christian liberty to that which was inherently sinful, and thus were tempted to "make their liberty a cloak of viciousness." St. Paul, as Bengel observes, often, and especially in this Epistle, uses the first person generally in gnomic or semi-proverbial sentences (1 Corinthians 6:15; 1 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Corinthians 10:23, 29, 30; 1 Corinthians 14:11). But. This is St. Paul's correction of too broad a formula. Are not expedient. St. Paul illustrates this in 1 Corinthians 8:8-10. We have no right to do even that which is innocent, if it be disadvantageous to the highest interests of ourselves or others. "He alone," says St. Augustine, "does not fall into unlawful things who sometimes abstains by way of caution even from lawful ones." Will not be brought under the power. The play of words in the original might be imitated by saying, "All things are in my power, but I will not be brought under the power of any." In other words, "boundless intemperance" may become a tyranny. The pretence of moral freedom may end in a moral bondage.

"Obedience is better than freedom? What's free?
The vexed foam on the wave, the tossed straw on the sea;
The ocean itself, as it rages and swells,
In the bonds of a boundless obedience dwells."
I will be master even over my liberty by keeping it under the beneficent control of law and of charity.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Everything
Πάντα (Panta)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

is permissible
ἔξεστιν (exestin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1832: It is permitted, lawful, possible.

for me,”
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

but
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

not
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

everything
πάντα (panta)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

is beneficial.
συμφέρει (sympherei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4851: From sun and phero; to bear together, i.e. to collect, or to conduce; especially advantage.

“Everything
Πάντα (Panta)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

is permissible
ἔξεστιν (exestin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1832: It is permitted, lawful, possible.

for me,”
μοι (moi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

but
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

I
ἐγὼ (egō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

will not be mastered
ἐξουσιασθήσομαι (exousiasthēsomai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1850: To exercise (wield) power (authority), pass: To be ruled, be held under authority. From exousia; to control.

by
ὑπό (hypo)
Preposition
Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).

anything.
τινος (tinos)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 6:11
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