By James Riley Strange, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of New Testament, Samford University
Sanctified
1 Corinthians 6:9–20
Today’s word, “sanctified,” means to be made holy, to be set aside for God’s use.
This happens in both collective and individual ways.
God chose Israel to be “a light to the Gentiles” (Isa. 42:6; 49:6).
Similarly, He elected the Church to proclaim the gospel (Eph. 1:4–5). But God also sanctifies each believer to live as He desires.
The Corinthians weren’t living that way, however. In 1 Corinthians 6, we learn that some were suing one another in “unrighteous” law courts rather than settling disputes among “the saints” — the supposed “sanctified” or “holy ones” (see 1 Cor. 1:2 and 6:1).
In verse 8, Paul accuses the Corinthians of wrongdoing and in verse 9, he begins warning them that wrongdoers have no place in God’s kingdom.
We are set apart from our old way of life. (9–11)
Paul lists vices that some Jews and Christians typically ascribed to Gentiles (see 5:1–2).
- “Fornicator” designates general sexual immorality (see vv. 13 and 18).
- “Idolater” is a derogatory term for someone who worships the Roman gods.
- An “adulterer” is a married person who has sex with someone to whom he or she isn’t married.
- The next word is “soft;” here it means to be cowardly or morally weak.
- The next word is rare; it combines “male” and “bed.”
The terms that follow are clearer in understanding.
In verse 11, Paul says that some Corinthian believers used to do these things, but then Paul reminds them of their baptisms: they were “washed,” “sanctified” and “justified.” These behaviors, therefore, must be abandoned.
Rather than providing a list of vices against which the Corinthians should judge others, Paul invites them to ask which vices they themselves commit.
For example, one person may deal with greed while another person has committed or is committing adultery.
We are set apart to be one with Christ. (12–17)
Some philosophical schools of Paul’s time had sayings similar to, “All things are lawful for me” (see 1 Cor. 10:23).
Paul agrees but says that more importantly, all things should be mutually “beneficial” or “helpful” in the church (see 1 Cor. 12:7).
“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food” is another philosophical maxim, meaning that one should act according to nature.
Apparently, some Corinthian believers used this philosophy to justify having sex with prostitutes. As it was unnatural to deny the stomach food, they reasoned, so it was unnatural to deny the genitals intercourse.
Paul corrects this notion: the body is meant for the Lord and the Lord for the body.
Paul’s response has dual meaning for his hearers.
Paul is talking about both physical bodies (15–17) and the church as the body of Christ (18–20). Both “bodies” are to be sanctuaries of the Holy Spirit (see v. 19).
We are set apart to glorify God. (18–20)
Physical fornication, or sexual activity with someone other than one’s spouse, is a sin against one’s own body.
Just as the Spirit filled Christ during His ministry (Luke 4:1, 14), the church now is the body of Christ, the temple in which the Holy Spirit now dwells (3:16–17).
Therefore, spiritual fornication, such as worshipping gods other than the one true God, is a sin against the church, the body of Christ.
“Price” also has dual meaning, for the word can also mean “offering” or “worship” to glorify God.
As Christ glorified God with His body on the cross, let us glorify God with our body, the Church.
Share with others: