1 Corinthians 6:7,19 – “Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”
Today’s New Testament reading in 1 Corinthians chapter 6 deals with two issues: first, the matter of Christians taking one another to court; second, the matter of sexual immorality.
Paul’s argument against Christians taking one another to court is based upon his teaching that in the afterlife Christians will be judging the world and angels (more than likely those who fell in the rebellion with Lucifer). Paul asks the question in verse 5, “Is there not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?” There is a hint of sarcasm in Paul’s question. He had spent the majority of chapters one and two dealing with the topic of wisdom. This book of the Bible is written to Greeks who prided themselves on the pursuit of wisdom. Yet when it came to disputes among them there appeared to be no one wise enough to settle the issues. Paul suggests it is better to choose a path of humility and be wronged and suffer loss than to bring matters before the world’s courts; a suggestion worthy of its time and ours.
The second issue Paul deals with is immorality. This is a topic that has not lost any steam over the last two thousand years since this letter was written. Paul’s argument against participating in sexual immorality is based upon two considerations: 1) its future consequences, and 2) the price that was paid. It is clear from verses 9 and 10 that the kingdom of God will not be a reality for those who engage in sexual immorality. The second consideration is from our text: “you are not your own.” The following verse expands the meaning, “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”(v.20) We were bought at a price, the precious price of the blood of God’s only Son. To Him we owe allegiance and to Him we pledge our bodies and all that we are. You’ve been washed (v.11). Let’s live for Him in a manner worthy of the price He paid for us.