1 Corinthians 6

1 Corinthians 6

The big picture

1 Corinthians 6 opens in verse 1 with “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 10 with “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit…”, and closes in verse 20 with “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit…” Repeated or prominent terms include body, know, judge, Lord, fornication. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.

Scripture beside the summary

1 Corinthians · King James Version · 20

1 Corinthians 6:1-7

1–7: Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the…

1 Corinthians 6:1–7 opens with “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before…” and reaches “Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Corinthians 6 develops its own movement around body, know, judge, Lord, fornication, with particular weight carried by judge, brother, know.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not…” By verse 4, the text has turned to “If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least…” It lands on “Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 5 questions, 1 stated contrast. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Connecting words, claims, reasons, contrasts, and commands hold the argument together. Each instruction draws its force from the truth that supports it. Words such as judge, brother, know, life, saints, world tie the complete block together. The central idea, “1 Corinthians 6 develops its own movement around body, know, judge, Lord, fornication,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include Dare, Know. Its number language includes one. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 3: “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: judge, brother, know, life, saints, world

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 1 Corinthians 6:1

    “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  2. 1 Corinthians 6:2

    “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  3. 1 Corinthians 6:3

    “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  4. 1 Corinthians 6:4

    “If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.” The line’s distinctive content terms include church, esteemed, judge. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

  5. 1 Corinthians 6:5

    “I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  6. 1 Corinthians 6:6

    “But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.” The line’s distinctive content terms include brother, goeth, unbelievers. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

  7. 1 Corinthians 6:7

    “Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

1 Corinthians 6:1-7

King James Version

1Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

2Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

4If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

5I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

6But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

7Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

1 Corinthians 6:8-14

8–14: Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

1 Corinthians 6:8–14 opens with “Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.” and reaches “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Corinthians 6 develops its own movement around body, know, judge, Lord, fornication, with particular weight carried by Lord, belly, body.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.” By verse 11, the text has turned to “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in…” It lands on “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 1 question, 3 stated contrasts, 5 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Connecting words, claims, reasons, contrasts, and commands hold the argument together. Each instruction draws its force from the truth that supports it. Words such as Lord, belly, body, both, inherit, kingdom tie the complete block together. The central idea, “1 Corinthians 6 develops its own movement around body, know, judge, Lord, fornication,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Lord, All, Jesus, Know, Meats. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 9: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor…” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: Lord, belly, body, both, inherit, kingdom

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 1 Corinthians 6:8

    “Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.” Naming Nay keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  2. 1 Corinthians 6:9

    “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  3. 1 Corinthians 6:10

    “Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

  4. 1 Corinthians 6:11

    “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord…” Naming Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  5. 1 Corinthians 6:12

    “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be…” Naming All keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  6. 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…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

  7. 1 Corinthians 6:14

    “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.” The verse names God and Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

1 Corinthians 6:8-14

King James Version

8Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

12All 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.

13Meats 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.

14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

1 Corinthians 6:15-20

15–20: Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then…

1 Corinthians 6:15–20 opens with “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ…” and reaches “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on 1 Corinthians 6 develops its own movement around body, know, judge, Lord, fornication, with particular weight carried by body, know, members.

Deep dive

The movement opens with “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of…” By verse 17, the text has turned to “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” It lands on “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit…” The distance between those lines matters as much as any isolated phrase. The passage has a voice and pulse of its own, including 3 questions, 2 stated contrasts, 4 verses naming the LORD or God. Those features reveal where the narrative slows down, speaks directly, or changes direction.

Connecting words, claims, reasons, contrasts, and commands hold the argument together. Each instruction draws its force from the truth that supports it. Words such as body, know, members, Christ, fornication, harlot tie the complete block together. The central idea, “1 Corinthians 6 develops its own movement around body, know, judge, Lord, fornication,” should remain answerable to the text. Some conclusions are explicit, some gather support across several verses, and others remain strong inferences or interpretations.

Names or load-bearing terms in this scene include God, Christ, Every, Flee, Ghost, Holy. Its number language includes one, two. The nearest hinge to the center comes in verse 17: “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” That detail helps separate the opening situation from what the passage changes next.

Words to trace: body, know, members, Christ, fornication, harlot

Verse-by-verse path

  1. 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…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  2. 1 Corinthians 6:16

    “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  3. 1 Corinthians 6:17

    “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

  4. 1 Corinthians 6:18

    “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against…” Naming Every and Flee keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

  5. 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…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

  6. 1 Corinthians 6:20

    “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

1 Corinthians 6:15-20

King James Version

15Know 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.

16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

19What? 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?

20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Resources gathered for this chapter

The story map and deeper reflection are available as distinct resources alongside this teaching plan. Each opens on its own page.

Level 1 story resourceMade for curious teens and first-time readers. Short story movements, strong visuals, helpful KJV word notes, and surprising details keep each chapter moving.Level 2 depth resourceRooted in the KJV text, with philosophical and theological depth that identifies Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, and Messianic Jewish perspectives when they materially differ.

A chapter-specific teaching brief

These anchors come from this chapter itself. They help a teacher use the Level 1 story map, the Level 2 analysis, and the Scripture text as one lesson.

1

Open with the chapter’s first image

1 Corinthians 6:1: “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?”

2

Slow down at the turning point

1 Corinthians 6:9: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate…”

3

Keep this word trail visible

body, know, judge, Lord, fornication, members

Observation and teaching prompt

  1. Identify the audience, problem, argument, command, and pastoral purpose.
  2. Follow connecting words so that one sentence remains inside the author’s reasoning.
  3. Distinguish a universal theological claim from an instruction shaped by a particular situation.

Text first

Where readers differ

The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.

The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.

Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.

Learning objectives

  1. Place 1 Corinthians 6 within 1 Corinthians 6 and explain its role in 1 Corinthians.
  2. Describe from the text how the passage develops this focus: 1 Corinthians 6 develops its own movement around body, know, judge, Lord, fornication.
  3. Distinguish an explicit statement, a Scripture-supported conclusion, and an interpretation.
  4. Explain how letter shapes a responsible reading of this unit.
  5. Compare a related song or video with the passage, then return to the text to test it.
  6. Form a personal and communal response that does not exceed the evidence of Scripture.

Teacher preparation

  1. Read 1 Corinthians 6 twice, then read the material immediately before and after it.
  2. Review the book movement: 1 Corinthians 6 (1 Corinthians 6).
  3. Mark speakers, actions, repeated words, commands, contrasts, promises, and consequences.
  4. Preview each related song or video and note where it condenses, interprets, or dramatizes the text.
  5. Prepare a participation option that lets learners respond without forced personal disclosure.

Evidence and interpretation checks

Explicit

Record two claims that 1 Corinthians 6 states directly and cite the verses.

Scripture-supported

Form one conclusion that joins several parts of 1 Corinthians 6. Show each step.

Strong inference

Identify a conclusion that follows the text closely even though it is not stated in one sentence.

Possible or traditional reading

Where responsible readings differ, present the difference without turning it into certainty.

Limit

Do not use speculation as a teaching conclusion.

Discussion with answer guidance

1. What does 1 Corinthians 6 state directly about God, people, or the situation?

Show teacher guidance

Begin with the passage’s words and actions. Require an exact verse before accepting a conclusion.

2. How does this focus develop across the passage: 1 Corinthians 6 develops its own movement around body, know, judge, Lord, fornication?

Show teacher guidance

Trace the opening, change, and outcome. Do not rely on one sentence when the unit presents a sequence.

3. Which word, action, contrast, or response repeats, and what work does it do?

Show teacher guidance

Repetition may signal structure or emphasis, but explain its meaning inside the immediate context.

4. How does this unit contribute to the 1 Corinthians 6 movement?

Show teacher guidance

Compare the unit with what comes before and after it in the same book.

5. What interpretive caution does letter require here?

Show teacher guidance

Trace the author’s argument through connecting words, stated problems, theological claims, commands, and pastoral purpose.

6. What faithful response follows for an individual and for a community?

Show teacher guidance

Form a concrete, proportionate response. Do not turn a description into a command without evidence.

Responsible application

Heart and habits

Name one belief, desire, or practice that 1 Corinthians 6 corrects, strengthens, or redirects.

Relationships and community

Form one action that protects dignity, truth, justice, mercy, or faithfulness in a real relationship.

Worship and prayer

Write a prayer using the vocabulary and concerns of the passage.

Service and witness

Choose one observable response for this week and one person who can support accountability.

Audience adaptations

Children

Use a short reading block, a people-and-actions map, and one concrete response. Explain difficult vocabulary before reading.

Youth

Ask learners to identify pressure, loyalty, power, and consequences. Permit written responses without public disclosure.

Adults

Add literary and historical context, compare responsible readings, and require evidence for each claim.

Intergenerational group

Pair different ages, assign observation before interpretation, and close with a shared prayer.

Online or at home

Send the reference in advance, use media as an observation pause, and gather responses in a shared document.

Complete 75-minute teaching path

A shorter group can omit the extended discussion while preserving the Scripture reading, evidence check, and closing response.

5 min

Orient the group

Name the book, 1 Corinthians 6, genre, and central question. Explain that every conclusion will be checked against the text.

15 min

Read the complete unit

Read aloud or silently. Learners mark speakers, repetitions, commands, contrasts, and changes.

15 min

Work through the reading blocks

Summarize each block in one sentence and record the verse that supports the summary.

10 min

Use a song or video

Play one related resource. Compare its emphasis and omissions with the passage.

15 min

Discuss from evidence

Use the questions and require a Scripture reference for every major answer.

10 min

Form responsible application

Develop one personal and one communal response. Avoid promises or commands that the text does not establish.

5 min

Summarize and pray

Let each learner complete one sentence about the passage. Pray with its vocabulary and concerns.

Song and video learning lab

A song or video may interpret, compress, or dramatize the text. Its value becomes clearer when its choices are compared with Scripture.

  1. Before the media: the exact passage and its central movement.
  2. During the media: the words, people, events, and emotions the artist emphasizes.
  3. After the media: what it clarifies, what it leaves out, and what belongs back in the biblical text.