1 Corinthians 6:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Complete Jewish Bible:

You say, “For me, everything is permitted”? Maybe, but not everything is helpful. “For me, everything is permitted”? Maybe, but as far as I am concerned, I am not going to let anything gain control over me.

Berean Standard Bible:

“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.

American Standard Version:

All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

All things^{G3956} are lawful^{G1832} unto me^{G3427}, but^{G235} all things^{G3956} are^{G4851} not^{G3756} expedient^{G4851}: all things^{G3956} are lawful^{G1832} for me^{G3427}, but^{G235} I^{G1473} will^{G1850} not^{G3756} be brought under the power^{G1850} of^{G5259} any^{G5100}.

Cross-References (KJV):

1 Corinthians 10:23

¶ All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

1 Corinthians 10:33

Even as I please all [men] in all [things], not seeking mine own profit, but the [profit] of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 9:27

But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Hebrews 12:15

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;

Hebrews 12:16

Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

Romans 14:14

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that [there is] nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him [it is] unclean.

Romans 14:23

And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because [he eateth] not of faith: for whatsoever [is] not of faith is sin.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

Commentary for 1 Corinthians 6:12

1 Corinthians 6:12 is a verse in a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Corinth, a city in ancient Greece. This verse reflects the broader themes of Christian freedom and moral responsibility that Paul discusses throughout the epistle. In the historical context, the Corinthian church was struggling with various ethical issues, including the proper use of liberty in Christ.

In this verse, Paul acknowledges a principle that "all things are lawful," meaning that Christians are no longer under the binding legalism of the Mosaic Law. However, he immediately qualifies this statement with the concept of expediency or profitability, indicating that not everything that is permissible is beneficial or constructive for the individual or the community. Paul emphasizes personal discipline and the importance of not being enslaved or mastered by anything, which aligns with his teachings on the dangers of libertinism and the need for self-control.

The text speaks to the balance between freedom and self-restraint, urging believers to consider the implications of their actions on their spiritual well-being and witness. Paul's words serve as a caution against the misuse of Christian liberty, which should not lead to self-indulgence but rather to a life lived in service to God and others. This verse underscores the responsibility that comes with freedom in Christ, encouraging believers to make choices that promote holiness and edify the church.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G3956
There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πᾶς
Transliteration: pâs
Pronunciation: pas
Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Strong's Number: G1832
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔξεστι
Transliteration: éxesti
Pronunciation: ex-on'
Description: third person singular present indicative of a compound of ἐκ and εἰμί; so also neuter present participle of the same (with or without some form of εἰμί expressed); impersonally, it is right (through the figurative idea of being out in public):--be lawful, let, X may(-est).
Strong's Number: G3427
There are 227 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μοί
Transliteration: moí
Pronunciation: moy
Description: the simpler form of ἐμοί; to me:--I, me, mine, my.
Strong's Number: G235
There are 635 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀλλά
Transliteration: allá
Pronunciation: al-lah'
Description: neuter plural of ἄλλος; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Strong's Number: G4851
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: συμφέρω
Transliteration: symphérō
Pronunciation: soom-fer'-o
Description: from σύν and φέρω (including its alternate); to bear together (contribute), i.e. (literally) to collect, or (figuratively) to conduce; especially (neuter participle as a noun) advantage:--be better for, bring together, be expedient (for), be good, (be) profit(-able for).
Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
Strong's Number: G1473
There are 334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐγώ
Transliteration: egṓ
Pronunciation: eg-o'
Description: a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see ἐμέ, ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἡμᾶς, ἡμεῖς, ἡμῖν, ἡμῶν, etc.
Strong's Number: G1850
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐξουσιάζω
Transliteration: exousiázō
Pronunciation: ex-oo-see-ad'-zo
Description: from ἐξουσία; to control:--exercise authority upon, bring under the (have) power of.
Strong's Number: G5259
There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπό
Transliteration: hypó
Pronunciation: hoop-o'
Description: a primary preposition; under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (underneath) or where (below) or time (when (at)):--among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In the comparative, it retains the same general applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specially, covertly or moderately.
Strong's Number: G5100
There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τὶς
Transliteration: tìs
Pronunciation: tis
Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).

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