1 Corinthians 6:13

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.

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}.

“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.

“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.

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:

1 Corinthians 6:13 addresses a critical misunderstanding among some believers in Corinth regarding the nature and purpose of the human body, particularly concerning sexual morality. Paul confronts the idea that physical appetites, like hunger, are morally neutral and temporary, and therefore, sexual acts are similarly inconsequential.

Context

The ancient city of Corinth was a bustling port city, notorious for its widespread immorality and diverse philosophical views. Some Corinthians, perhaps influenced by a form of Gnosticism or Stoicism, held a dualistic philosophy that separated the spiritual from the physical. They believed that what one did with the body had no bearing on the soul, leading to a permissive attitude towards sexual sin, encapsulated in a potential slogan like, "Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats." Paul directly challenges this worldview, which contrasted sharply with the gospel's call to holiness.

Key Themes

  • The Temporary Nature of Physical Appetites: Paul acknowledges that physical needs like hunger and the digestive system are temporary and will ultimately be abolished by God. This sets up a contrast with the body's eternal significance.
  • The Body's Divine Purpose: Crucially, Paul asserts, "Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body." This is a foundational statement about the sanctity and purpose of the human body. It is not merely a vessel for temporary pleasures or a disposable container for the spirit; it has been consecrated to Christ.
  • God's Ownership and Care: The phrase "for the Lord; and the Lord for the body" highlights a mutual relationship. Our bodies belong to Christ, having been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20), and He, in turn, cares for our bodies, looking toward their future resurrection and glorification.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "fornication" is porneia (πορνεία). This term is very broad, covering all forms of illicit sexual activity outside of biblical marriage, including prostitution, adultery, and other sexual sins. Paul's use of porneia here emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the prohibition against sexual immorality, distinguishing it sharply from the temporary nature of food consumption.

The term "body" (soma, σῶμα) in Paul's theology is not merely a physical shell but an integral part of the human person, designed by God and destined for resurrection. This understanding underscores the seriousness of how one uses their body, as it impacts one's relationship with God and others.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today that our bodies are not our own to do with as we please. They are sacred, belonging to the Lord, and are intended to be instruments of righteousness and vessels for His Spirit. This truth calls Christians to a high standard of purity and self-control, especially concerning sexual ethics. Understanding that the body is "for the Lord" means that every part of our being should be used to honor Him, reflecting the truth that our physical existence has eternal significance. This principle is further elaborated in 1 Corinthians 6:19, which describes the body as the temple of the Holy Ghost.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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