1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?… I. AN IMPORTANT MATTER OF FACT TO BE BELIEVED AND LAID TO HEART. 1. "Ye are not your own," &c. As to the reason of this, we may observe — (1) We did not create ourselves. (2) We do not preserve or uphold ourselves in life or being (Acts 17:28; James 1:17). On these accounts, then, we are not our own, but the property of God. 2. "Ye are bought with a price." But if we were originally God's property, what need was there to buy us? (1) We had become ruined debtors, enslaved captives, and guilty criminals. We had sold ourselves into slavery; we had committed sins, and thereby exposed ourselves to condemnation and wrath. (2) The purchasers were, the Father, who gave His Son (John 3:16; Romans 8:32), the Son, who gave Himself. (2) In reference to the price paid, we may observe, He gave His riches (1 Corinthians 8:9), His honour, His liberty, His life (Philippians 2:6-8). In a word, He " purchased the Church with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). All mankind are here concerned, all being redeemed (1 Timothy 2:6; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; Hebrews 2:9), and hence are not their own, much less the world's; least of all, the devil's. The people of God are here especially meant, who, in a peculiar sense, are not their own, but the temples of God (vers. 13-20; 1 Corinthians 3:17-23). II. AN EXHORTATION TO DUTY GROUNDED THEREON. The end God had in view in purchasing us was that we might glorify Him (1 Peter 2:9). We must glorify God — 1. "In our body," by temperance, purity, self-denial (ver. 13), and bringing it into His house, and consecrating it to Him as His temple to be kept holy. 2. "In our spirit."(1) By humility: considering that we have nothing which we have not received, and which has not been forfeited by sin. (2) By gratitude; He has given us all back again with great advantage. (3) By love. (4) By resignation; if we be His, may He not do what He will with His own? (5) By obedience; implying subjection to His will, and devotedness to His glory.Conclusion: Note — 1. The real nature and great evil of sin. It is not only disobedience and ingratitude, but robbery of the worst kind. 2. The amazing worth of the soul of man, which, after it was enslaved, was ransomed at so great a price. 3. The great and inexcusable guilt of those who, after all this, still will perish. 4. The great encouragement we have to give ourselves to God, and employ ourselves for Him. If He bought us, He must be willing to accept, preserve, and bless us. (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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? |
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