1 Corinthians 6:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Know ye {G1492} not {G3756} that {G3754} your {G5216} bodies {G4983} are {G2076} the members {G3196} of Christ {G5547}? shall I {G142} then {G3767} take {G142} the members {G3196} of Christ {G5547}, and make {G4160} them the members {G3196} of an harlot {G4204}? God forbid {G3361}{G1096}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don’t you know that your bodies are parts of the Messiah? So, am I to take parts of the Messiah and make them parts of a prostitute? Heaven forbid!

Berean Standard Bible

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!

American Standard Version

Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ? shall I then take away the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 6:15, the Apostle Paul issues a forceful challenge to the Corinthian believers, asserting the profound theological truth that their physical bodies are integral "members of Christ." He then poses a rhetorical question, condemning the unthinkable act of taking these consecrated members and joining them to a harlot, emphatically declaring such an action utterly incompatible with their identity in Christ and the sacred union they share with Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's broader argument in 1 Corinthians 6, where he addresses various issues of disorder and immorality within the Corinthian church. The chapter begins with Paul rebuking believers for taking one another to secular courts (verses 1-11), contrasting this with their future role as judges of the world and angels, and reminding them of their identity as the sanctified and justified in Christ. Immediately preceding verse 15, Paul challenges the Corinthian slogan "All things are lawful for me" (verse 12), clarifying that not all things are beneficial or constructive. He then transitions to the topic of sexual immorality, specifically addressing fornication (πόρνεια) in verses 13-20, emphasizing that the body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Verse 15 serves as a pivotal point in this argument, grounding the prohibition against sexual sin in the believer's intimate union with Christ.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Corinth was a prominent port city renowned for its commercial prosperity and strategic location, but also notorious for its moral laxity. The city was home to numerous pagan temples, including the temple of Aphrodite, which historically was associated with temple prostitution. This pervasive culture of sexual permissiveness undoubtedly influenced some within the Corinthian church, leading to confusion about Christian ethics regarding the body. Furthermore, some Greek philosophical currents, such as Gnosticism or certain forms of Platonism, promoted a dualistic view, separating the spiritual (good) from the physical (evil or irrelevant). This could have led some believers to rationalize that what they did with their bodies had no bearing on their spiritual state, a misconception Paul directly confronts and dismantles in this passage.
* **Key Themes:** Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians 6:15 contributes significantly to several key themes within the letter and broader Pauline theology. Firstly, it underscores the **sacredness and dignity of the believer's body**, challenging the notion that the body is merely a disposable vessel. Paul insists that the body is consecrated to Christ and is not autonomous. Secondly, it highlights the profound theological reality of **union with Christ**, emphasizing that believers are not merely spiritually connected but are organically joined to Him, becoming "one spirit" with the Lord (as further elaborated in [1 Corinthians 6:17](/1_corinthians/6-17 "1 Corinthians 6:17 - Union with the Lord")). This union implies that actions of the body have direct spiritual consequences. Thirdly, the verse directly addresses and condemns **sexual immorality**, particularly prostitution, as a profound desecration of this sacred union, asserting that such acts are an unthinkable betrayal of one's identity in Christ. This theme is further developed in Paul's subsequent admonition to [flee sexual immorality](/1_corinthians/6-18 "1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee Fornication").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bodies (Greek, _sōma'_):** This term refers to the physical, tangible human body, encompassing its entire being. Paul's use here emphasizes that the physical aspect of a person, not just their spirit, is involved in their relationship with Christ and is subject to His lordship. It challenges any dualistic thinking that would separate the spiritual from the physical.
* **Members (Greek, _mélos'_):** Signifying a limb or a part of the body, this word highlights an organic, integral connection. By stating that believers' bodies are "members of Christ," Paul uses a powerful metaphor to convey an intimate, living union, much like a hand is a member of a human body. This implies shared identity, purpose, and destiny with Christ.
* **Harlot (Greek, _pórnē'_):** This term specifically denotes a prostitute. In the context of Corinth, it would have been a common and culturally understood reference to sexual immorality, often associated with pagan worship. Paul uses this specific, shocking example to underscore the extreme nature of the defilement involved in such an act, demonstrating the stark contrast between union with Christ and union with someone engaged in sexual sin.
* **God forbid (Greek, _mḗ genoito'_):** This is a strong, emphatic Pauline expression of absolute rejection and abhorrence. Literally meaning "may it never happen!" or "let it not be!", it conveys Paul's utter revulsion at the thought of taking Christ's members and joining them to a harlot. It serves as a powerful rhetorical device to highlight the impossibility and unacceptability of such an action for a believer.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ?":** Paul opens with a rhetorical question, implying that this truth should be self-evident to the Corinthian believers. He asserts a foundational theological reality: through faith, believers are so intimately united with Christ that their physical bodies become integral parts of His mystical body. This challenges any notion that the body is irrelevant to one's spiritual identity or relationship with God.
* **"shall I then take the members of Christ, and make [them] the members of an harlot?":** This rhetorical question presents the shocking and scandalous implication of engaging in sexual immorality. Paul vividly contrasts the sacred union with Christ with the defiling act of union with a harlot. The question is designed to evoke a strong negative response, highlighting the spiritual betrayal and desecration involved in taking what belongs to Christ and joining it to something antithetical to His holiness.
* **"God forbid.":** This emphatic exclamation serves as Paul's unequivocal and passionate rejection of the proposition. It expresses utter impossibility and moral outrage, underscoring the gravity of the sin and the absolute incompatibility of sexual immorality with a believer's identity as a member of Christ. It is a declaration that such an act is fundamentally contrary to the nature of God and the new life in Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful **literary devices** in 1 Corinthians 6:15 to convey his message with utmost clarity and impact. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Know ye not...?" and "shall I then take...?", which serves not to elicit information but to challenge the Corinthians' understanding and provoke a re-evaluation of their actions in light of foundational Christian truths. This technique engages the audience directly and implies that the answer should be obvious to them. Paul also uses a profound **Metaphor** when he refers to believers' "bodies" as "members of Christ" and, by extension, "members of an harlot." This metaphor vividly illustrates the concept of intimate union, emphasizing that physical acts have spiritual implications and that joining one's body to another person creates a profound bond. The stark **Juxtaposition** of "Christ" and "an harlot" further amplifies the moral and spiritual chasm between these two unions, highlighting the utter incongruity of a believer engaging in sexual immorality. Finally, Paul concludes with the forceful **Exclamation** "God forbid!" (Greek: _mē genoito_), a common Pauline idiom that expresses intense abhorrence and emphatic rejection, leaving no doubt about his condemnation of such behavior.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound theological truth underlying 1 Corinthians 6:15 is the believer's intimate and holistic union with Christ, which encompasses not only the spirit but also the physical body. This verse asserts Christ's ownership over the believer's entire being, a reality established through redemption. To engage in sexual immorality, particularly with a harlot, is therefore not merely a private physical act but a spiritual defilement that severs, or at least gravely compromises, this sacred union with Christ. Paul implies that the body, having been redeemed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, is a sacred vessel, destined for resurrection and glorification, and thus must be used for God's glory, not for sin. This perspective elevates the dignity of the human body and grounds Christian ethics in the profound reality of Christ's Lordship over every aspect of a believer's life.

* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices")
* [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")
* [Ephesians 5:3](/ephesians/5-3 "Ephesians 5:3 - Immorality Must Not Even Be Named Among You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 6:15 serves as a powerful and enduring call to holiness, reminding believers that our physical bodies are not autonomous possessions but are consecrated to Christ, integral parts of His very being. This truth profoundly reshapes our understanding of personal purity and ethical conduct. It challenges us to view every choice concerning our bodies—from sexual expression to diet, rest, and self-care—through the lens of Christ's ownership and our identity as His members. The verse compels us to recognize that physical actions, especially in the realm of sexuality, carry profound spiritual weight and directly impact our relationship with God. Therefore, living in accordance with this truth means actively honoring Christ with our bodies, fleeing from all forms of sexual immorality, and striving for purity not out of legalism, but out of love and reverence for the One to whom we belong. Our bodies are instruments for righteousness and vehicles through which Christ's presence can be manifested in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding my body as a "member of Christ" transform my perspective on personal purity and physical choices?**
* **In what ways might I be subtly treating my body as my own, rather than as belonging to Christ, and how can I align my actions with this truth?**
* **What practical steps can I take to honor Christ with my body in my daily life, recognizing its sacredness and its union with Him?**

### FAQ

**Why does Paul use such strong language about sexual immorality, specifically mentioning a "harlot"?**

Answer: Paul's strong language is rooted in the specific cultural context of Corinth and the profound theological implications of sexual immorality for a believer. Corinth was notorious for its widespread sexual immorality, including temple prostitution, which posed a significant challenge to the nascent Christian community. By explicitly mentioning a "harlot," Paul addresses a prevalent issue directly and graphically, highlighting the extreme nature of the defilement. Theologically, Paul emphasizes that believers' bodies are "members of Christ" and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit")). To join such a body to a harlot is to desecrate what is sacred and to betray the intimate union a believer shares with Christ. It's not merely a physical act but a spiritual one, making two "one flesh" ([1 Corinthians 6:16](/1_corinthians/6-16 "1 Corinthians 6:16 - Joining to a Harlot")), which is diametrically opposed to being "one spirit" with the Lord ([1 Corinthians 6:17](/1_corinthians/6-17 "1 Corinthians 6:17 - Union with the Lord")).

**Does this verse only apply to prostitution, or does it have broader implications for sexual ethics?**

Answer: While 1 Corinthians 6:15 specifically references prostitution ("harlot") as the egregious example, the underlying principle extends to all forms of sexual immorality (Greek: _porneia_). Paul's argument is that any sexual act outside the covenant of marriage violates the sacredness of the body and the believer's union with Christ. The core message is that the body, as a member of Christ, is not to be used for sin but for the Lord. This principle applies to fornication (sexual activity outside marriage), adultery, and any other sexual expression that dishonors God and defiles the body. The specific example of the harlot serves as a stark illustration of the ultimate spiritual betrayal involved when a body consecrated to Christ is used for unholy purposes. The broader context of 1 Corinthians 6:13-20 makes it clear that Paul is addressing all forms of _porneia_, urging believers to [flee from it](/1_corinthians/6-18 "1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee Fornication") because sexual sin is uniquely a sin against one's own body and against Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 6:15 finds its deepest fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul's argument that believers' bodies are "members of Christ" is predicated on the profound reality of the Incarnation, where the eternal Son of God took on a physical human body, dignifying human flesh forever. Through His atoning death and glorious resurrection, Christ redeemed the *whole* person—spirit, soul, and body—from the dominion of sin and death. Our union with Christ, established by faith and sealed by the Holy Spirit, means that our physical bodies are no longer merely our own but are now consecrated to Him, purchased at a great price ([1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - Glorify God in Your Body")). This union is so profound that believers are considered part of His mystical body, the Church, with Christ as the head ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ as the Head of the Body")). Furthermore, our bodies, like Christ's, are destined for future resurrection and glorification ([Philippians 3:21](/philippians/3-21 "Philippians 3:21 - Our Transformed Bodies")), a promise secured by Christ's own bodily resurrection ([Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - Resurrection of Our Mortal Bodies")). Therefore, to engage in sexual immorality is to act contrary to the very nature of the redeemed body, to dishonor the One who bought us, and to defile the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is Christ's dwelling within us. Our bodies, as members of Christ, are called to participate in His holiness and to bear witness to His redemptive power in every aspect of life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 12:5

So we, [being] many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Ephesians 5:30

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

1 Corinthians 12:27

¶ Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Colossians 2:19

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Ephesians 4:15

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:

Ephesians 4:16

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians 4:12

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: