Justice, Judgment, and Body Sanctification

1 Corinthians 6 is a vivid reminder of the high calling of believers, in dealing with disputes wisely, living morally, and honoring God with our bodies. It challenges us to rethink our attitudes towards personal disagreements, not resorting to worldly means, but resolving them with spiritual wisdom. The chapter paints a stark contrast between the past identity of believers as sinners and their new identity in Christ. The sanctity of the body as a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit encourages us to treat our bodies with respect, fleeing sexual immorality, and living to glorify God.

Verses 1-8: Lawsuits Among Believers

Paul criticizes the Corinthians for having lawsuits against each other before the unrighteous instead of before the saints. He reminds them that the saints will judge the world and angels, hence they are competent to judge trivial matters. Paul chastises the community, highlighting that lawsuits among believers are a defeat for them, and it's better to suffer wrong and be defrauded.

Verses 9-11: Warning against Immorality

Paul warns the Corinthians that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. He lists specific behaviors, including sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, homosexual acts, theft, greed, drunkenness, reviling, and swindling. He reminds the Corinthians that some of them were once like that, but they have been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God.

Verses 12-20: The Body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit

Paul explains that while all things are lawful, not all things are helpful or dominating. He asserts the body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Arguing against joining with a prostitute, he reminds them of the profound unity of a man with a woman, becoming one flesh, and contrasts it with our unity with Christ, becoming one spirit with Him. Paul urges the Corinthians to flee from sexual immorality, as every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. He concludes by emphasizing that the bodies of believers are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in them and whom they have from God. They are not their own, as they were bought with a price, so they should glorify God in their bodies.

1 Corinthians 6 delves into matters of internal disputes among believers, the role of saints in judgment, and the sanctity of the Christian body. Paul uses these topics to encourage the Corinthians to live in a manner worthy of their calling in Christ, exhibiting wisdom and spiritual maturity. He emphasizes the significance of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and the critical importance of sexual morality.

Justice Among Believers
Spiritual Maturity and Wisdom
Sanctity of the Body
Sexual MoralityLawsuits Among Christians
Judgment of the Saints
The Christian Body as a Temple of the Holy Spirit
Immorality and the Christian IdentityPaul
The Corinthians
The Unrighteous
The Holy SpiritCorinth

1. How does Paul's guidance about resolving disputes among believers challenge our usual approach to conflict?

2. In what ways can the church today apply Paul's advice about handling disputes internally?

3. What does it mean to you personally that the saints will judge the world and angels?

4. What steps can you take to ensure your behavior aligns with the future responsibilities that Paul outlines for the saints?

5. How does Paul's listing of specific sinful behaviors help you understand what behaviors are unpleasing to God?

6. How can we reconcile the truth that we have been washed, sanctified, and justified with the reality of ongoing sin in our lives?

7. How does understanding our body as a temple of the Holy Spirit impact your daily decisions?

8. In what ways does Paul's admonition to "flee from sexual immorality" inform your understanding of personal boundaries?

9. How can you practically "glorify God in your body" in your daily life?

10. What does the statement "You are not your own" mean to you in terms of personal rights and freedoms?

11. How does the understanding of being bought with a price influence your view on stewardship of your life?

12. What steps can we take to cultivate an environment within the church where disputes are handled in a godly manner?

13. How does this chapter challenge you to view your physical body in terms of spiritual significance?

14. How should Paul's teaching on sexual immorality inform the church's approach to addressing these issues today?

15. In what ways can we ensure that we're using our bodies to honor God?

16. How can we live out the truth that we have been washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ in our interactions with others?

17. How does Paul's teaching about our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit impact your understanding of personal holiness?

18. How does the concept of being bought with a price affect your perspective on personal sacrifice for the sake of Christ?

19. How does the fact that we will judge the world and angels affect your view on your role and responsibility as a Christian?

20. How should the fact that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit influence our decisions about physical health and care for our bodies?