I Corinthians 6:13
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“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.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The argument drawn from the indifference of meats (Co1 8:8; Rom 14:14, Rom 14:17; compare Mar 7:18; Col 2:20-22) to that of fornication does not hold good. Meats doubtless are indifferent, since both they and the "belly" for which they are created are to be "destroyed" in the future state. But "the body is not (created) for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body" (as its Redeemer, who hath Himself assumed the body): "And God hath raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us" (that is our bodies): therefore the "body" is not, like the "belly," after having served a temporary use, to be destroyed: Now "he that committeth fornication, sinneth against his own body" (Co1 6:18). Therefore fornication is not indifferent, since it is a sin against one's own body, which, like the Lord for whom it is created, is not to be destroyed, but to be raised to eternal existence. Thus Paul gives here the germ of the three subjects handled in subsequent sections: (1) The relation between the sexes. (2) The question of meats offered to idols. (3) The resurrection of the body. shall destroy--at the Lord's coming to change the natural bodies of believers into spiritual bodies (Co1 15:44, Co1 15:52). There is a real essence underlying the superficial phenomena of the present temporary organization of the body, and this essential germ, when all the particles are scattered, involves the future resurrection of the body incorruptible.
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle, I. Reproves them for going to law with one another about small matters, and bringing the cause before heathen judges (Co1 6:1-8). II. He takes occasion hence to warn them against many gross sins, to which they had been formerly addicted (Co1 6:9-11). III. And, having cautioned them against the abuse of their liberty, he vehemently dehorts them from fornication, by various arguments (Co1 6:12 to the end).
Open source ↗6:13-14 “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food”: This statement was apparently used by some Corinthian Christians to rationalize their sexual immorality on the analogy that “the body was made for sex, and sex for the body.” It is a false analogy, because our bodies . . . were made for the Lord, and sexual immorality does not glorify him. In light of his concern for our bodies and the coming resurrection from the dead, our bodies must be used for holy purposes in God’s service.
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires.
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior.
“Do you not yet realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated?
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”
These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him.”