King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body [is] not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
Complete Jewish Bible:
“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”? Maybe, but God will put an end to both of them. Anyhow, the body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.
Berean Standard Bible:
“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.
American Standard Version:
Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Meats{G1033} for the belly{G2836}, and{G2532} the belly{G2836} for meats{G1033}: but{G1161} God{G2316} shall destroy{G2673} both{G2532} it{G5026} and{G2532} them{G5023}. Now{G1161} the body{G4983} is not{G3756} for fornication{G4202}, but{G235} for the Lord{G2962}; and{G2532} the Lord{G2962} for the body{G4983}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Corinthians 6:19
- 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?
1 Corinthians 3:16
- ¶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
Romans 6:12
- Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
1 Corinthians 6:15
- Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make [them] the members of an harlot? God forbid.
1 Thessalonians 4:3
- For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1 Thessalonians 4:7
- For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
Ephesians 5:23
- For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Corinthians 6:13
1 Corinthians 6:13 is a verse in the New Testament of the Bible, written by the Apostle Paul to the early Christian church in Corinth. In this verse, Paul is addressing the Corinthians' attitudes toward physical desires, particularly in relation to food and sexual immorality.
The historical context of this verse is important for understanding its themes. The Corinthian church was struggling with various moral and theological issues, including divisions, improper use of spiritual gifts, and questions about marriage and celibacy. Among these issues was a lax view toward sexual immorality, possibly influenced by the city's reputation for promiscuity and the prevailing cultural norms that permitted prostitution and other forms of sexual license.
In the first part of the verse, "Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them," Paul uses the metaphor of food and the body to discuss the proper perspective on physical desires. He acknowledges that food satisfies hunger, a natural and necessary function, but he emphasizes that both food and the body will eventually be destroyed, implying that physical desires should not govern one's life.
The latter part of the verse, "Now the body [is] not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body," shifts the focus to the purpose of the human body. Paul corrects the false belief that the body is meant solely for physical pleasure, particularly sexual gratification. Instead, he asserts that the body is meant for the Lord, indicating that believers should honor God with their bodies, living in a way that reflects their relationship with Christ. This includes sexual purity and rejecting fornication. Paul also reassures believers of the reciprocal relationship between the Lord and the body, suggesting that just as the body belongs to the Lord, the Lord cares for and will honor the body, both now and in the resurrection.
In summary, 1 Corinthians 6:13 confronts the misuse of the body for immoral purposes by emphasizing the body's true purpose—to serve the Lord. Paul challenges the Corinthians, and by extension all believers, to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be used in ways that glorify God.
*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: G1033
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: βρῶμα
Transliteration: brōma
Pronunciation: bro'-mah
Description: from the base of βιβρώσκω; food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law:--meat, victuals. - Strong's Number: G2836
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κοιλία
Transliteration: koilía
Pronunciation: koy-lee'-ah
Description: from ("hollow"); a cavity, i.e. (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart:--belly, womb. - Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G2316
There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θεός
Transliteration: theós
Pronunciation: theh'-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward). - Strong's Number: G2673
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καταργέω
Transliteration: katargéō
Pronunciation: kat-arg-eh'-o
Description: from κατά and ἀργέω; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively:--abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void. - Strong's Number: G5026
There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ταύτῃ
Transliteration: taútēi
Pronunciation: tow'-tace
Description: dative case, accusative case and genitive case respectively of the feminine singular of οὗτος; (towards or of) this:--her, + hereof, it, that, + thereby, the (same), this (same). - Strong's Number: G5023
There are 237 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ταῦτα
Transliteration: taûta
Pronunciation: tow'-tah
Description: nominative or accusative case neuter plural of οὗτος; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus. - Strong's Number: G4983
There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σῶμα
Transliteration: sōma
Pronunciation: so'-mah
Description: from σώζω; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:--bodily, body, slave. - 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: G4202
There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πορνεία
Transliteration: porneía
Pronunciation: por-ni'-ah
Description: from πορνεύω; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry:--fornication. - 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: G2962
There are 687 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κύριος
Transliteration: kýrios
Pronunciation: koo'-ree-os
Description: from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.