What does 1 Corinthians 6:15 mean?

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 Corinthians 6:15

Explanation

1 Corinthians 6:15 is part of a larger discourse where the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of sexual immorality among the members of the Corinthian church. In this verse, he reminds the Corinthian believers that their bodies are not merely physical entities but are spiritually united with Christ. The rhetorical questions Paul presents are meant to shock the readers into recognizing the gravity of joining Christ’s body with a prostitute. The phrase “God forbid” is a strong disapproval of merging the holy with the profane; it emphasizes the incompatibility of Christian commitment with immoral sexual behavior.

Historical Context

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by Paul around A.D. 55 to the church in Corinth, a city known for its wealth, diverse population, and moral laxity. The church in Corinth struggled with many issues, including divisions, lawsuits among believers, and sexual immorality. In particular, prostitution was not only widespread but also often connected with pagan temple worship. Thus, addressing sexual immorality had a dual importance in dissociating from the previous pagan lifestyle and in maintaining the sanctity of the Christian community.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, this verse underlines the concept of the believer’s union with Christ. This is the doctrine of “believers’ identification with Christ,” where Christians are seen as members of the Body of Christ — a profound spiritual reality. Moreover, the verse is an acknowledgment of the Christian ethic that views the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit (as discussed in the subsequent verses) and not merely a vessel for satisfying fleshly desires.

Different theological viewpoints might focus on the consequences of sin for the believer (penal-substitutionary atonement), the sanctification process and how it relates to sexual conduct (holiness theology), or the relational aspect of sin and unity with Christ (relational theology).

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse serves as a reminder to modern Christians to honor God with their bodies. This involves abstaining from sexual relationships outside the bonds of a biblical marriage (between a man and a woman) and recognizing that our actions with our bodies have spiritual implications. It also challenges believers to consider how they integrate their faith with their physical lives, emphasizing the need for purity in all areas.

Cross-References

• Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
• 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 – Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
• Ephesians 5:30 – For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
• 2 Corinthians 6:16 – And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Language Study

In the original Greek, significant words in this verse include:

• “Bodies” (σώματα – somata): Refers not only to the physical body but also to the whole person as an individual member of the body of Christ.
• “Members” (μέλη – melē): Denotes limbs or parts of a body, signifying that each believer is an integral part of Christ’s body.
• “Harlot” (πόρνην – pornēn): In this context, it refers to a prostitute, representing illicit sexual union, which goes against the Christian commitment to purity.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Greco-Roman culture, sexual immorality and temple prostitution were practices that were often accepted and intertwined with pagan religious activities. This is in stark contrast with the Judeo-Christian ethic, which emphasizes sexual purity and faithfulness within marriage as a sacred covenant. Comparisons can also be made with other ancient religions that had strict purity laws, such as the Vestal Virgins in Roman religion, who were expected to maintain chastity to keep the favor of the gods.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychology and biology recognize the complex connection between the physical body and a person’s identity and actions. From a scientific standpoint, sexual behavior influences one’s physical, emotional, and psychological health. While the verse does not directly address scientific insights, it agrees with the concept that actions with our bodies can have profound effects, resonating with the holistic approach to human well-being found in modern health sciences.

Commentaries

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 6:15 generally emphasize Paul’s concern for sexual purity and the importance of the believer’s union with Christ. Matthew Henry’s Commentary stresses the sanctity of the Christian’s body as a member of Christ. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary highlights the Corinthians’ possible misunderstanding of Christian freedom as a license for immoral behavior, which Paul corrects. John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible delves into the deep spiritual betrayal implied by joining Christ with a harlot, reflecting the severity of sexual sin. All underscore the incompatibility of a Christian’s engagement in sexual immorality with their identity in Christ.