Sunday School (25)

1 Corinthians 6

This chapter contains two strong corrections from Paul: 1️⃣ Christians taking each other to court before unbelievers, and 2️⃣ believers engaging in sexual immorality despite their new identity in Christ.

Let’s go verse by verse, with explanation and Q&A for each section.

📖 1 Corinthians 6:1–20 (NASB 95)

Verses 1–2

Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts?

Explanation: Paul is shocked that believers are suing one another in secular courts — before unbelievers. He reminds them that Christians will one day “judge the world” (reign with Christ, cf. Dan. 7:22; Rev. 20:4). If that’s their future, surely they can handle disputes internally.

Discussion Question: Why is taking fellow believers to secular court wrong in this context? Answer: Because it exposes the church’s divisions before unbelievers and denies the wisdom and authority Christ gave His people to settle matters in love.

Verse 3

Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?

Explanation: Paul adds that believers will even judge angels (probably fallen ones). If that’s true, they certainly have the capacity to resolve ordinary disputes among themselves.

Discussion Question: What does this teach about our identity and future role in Christ? Answer: It shows the dignity and authority believers have in Christ — we share in His rule. Therefore, we should act with wisdom and maturity now.

Verses 4–5

So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren,

Explanation: Paul is being sarcastic — “You boast about being wise, yet you can’t find even one wise person to mediate?” He shames them gently for their spiritual immaturity.

Discussion Question: Why does Paul appeal to shame here? Answer: Because the Corinthians prided themselves on wisdom and status. Paul exposes the inconsistency between their pride and their inability to handle conflicts biblically.

Verse 6

But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?

Explanation: This is the heart of Paul’s concern — believers publicly fighting each other before a watching, unbelieving world. It dishonors Christ’s name and contradicts the gospel of reconciliation.

Discussion Question: What effect does public conflict among Christians have on the church’s witness? Answer: It destroys credibility. The world sees hypocrisy instead of love and unity, turning people away from Christ.

Verse 7

Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?

Explanation: Paul says the very fact that lawsuits exist means they’ve already lost — spiritually. It’s better to suffer wrong than to damage Christ’s reputation or the unity of His body.

Discussion Question: Why would Paul say it’s better to be wronged than to fight for your rights? Answer: Because following Jesus means valuing love and witness above personal justice. Jesus Himself suffered wrong to bring peace (1 Peter 2:21–23).

Verse 8

On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren.

Explanation: Not only are they suing each other — some are actively cheating their own fellow believers. The problem isn’t just conflict, but greed and injustice inside the church.

Discussion Question: What does this reveal about the heart behind their lawsuits? Answer: Selfishness and pride — they valued winning more than righteousness. Paul is calling them back to Christlike humility.

Verse 9–10

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Explanation: Paul warns that ongoing, unrepentant sin — of any kind — is incompatible with God’s kingdom. This list covers both sexual and social sins. The point: don’t act like those from whom Christ saved you.

Discussion Question: Why does Paul insert this list here in the middle of a discussion on lawsuits? Answer: Because cheating, greed, and injustice are just as sinful as sexual immorality. He’s reminding them that such behavior doesn’t fit their new life in Christ.

Verse 11

Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Explanation: This is one of the most beautiful gospel statements in the Bible. “Such were some of you” — past tense! Now they are washed (cleansed), sanctified (set apart for God), and justified (declared righteous).

Discussion Question: How does verse 11 redefine Christian identity? Answer: Our past no longer defines us — Christ does. We live out who we are in Him: forgiven, set apart, and righteous through His Spirit.

Verse 12

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

Explanation: The Corinthians likely used the slogan “All things are lawful” to justify behavior. Paul corrects them: Christian freedom isn’t a license to sin — it’s freedom to do what builds up and honors God. True freedom refuses to be enslaved by anything.

Discussion Question: How do we know when we’ve misused Christian freedom? Answer: When our choices harm others, enslave us, or dull our devotion to Christ. Freedom must always serve love and holiness.

Verse 13

Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.

Explanation: Another Corinthian slogan — “Food for the stomach” — used to justify sexual indulgence (“sex is just a physical appetite”). Paul rejects that. The body has eternal purpose — it belongs to the Lord and will be raised by Him.

Discussion Question: What’s wrong with treating sexual sin as “just physical”? Answer: Because the body is sacred, made for union with Christ. Sexual sin defiles something meant for God’s glory and eternal purpose.

Verse 14

Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power.

Explanation: The resurrection gives dignity and purpose to our physical bodies. They matter eternally, so what we do with them now matters too.

Discussion Question: How does belief in the resurrection shape our view of the body? Answer: It reminds us our bodies are destined for glory, not corruption — therefore, they must be used in ways that honor God.

Verses 15–17

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take away the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? May it never be! Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall become one flesh.” But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

Explanation: Paul uses shocking imagery: sexual immorality unites a believer — a member of Christ’s body — with sin. That’s a spiritual contradiction. Believers are united to Christ, so their bodies must reflect that union.

Discussion Question: Why is sexual sin uniquely serious? Answer: Because it involves both body and spirit — it misuses what God designed for covenant love and brings Christ’s presence into sin. It violates our spiritual union with Him.

Verse 18

Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.

Explanation: Paul gives a simple command: Flee! Don’t argue, negotiate, or test limits — run. Sexual sin uniquely damages one’s own body and soul.

Discussion Question: Why does Paul say to flee rather than fight temptation? Answer: Because sexual temptation is especially powerful and deceptive. The safest way to resist is to escape immediately — like Joseph fleeing Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:12).

Verses 19–20

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

Explanation: Here’s the foundation for Christian ethics: your body is God’s temple, indwelt by the Spirit. You belong to Him — redeemed at the cost of Christ’s blood. Therefore, honor God in your physical life.

Discussion Question: How does seeing yourself as “bought with a price” change how you live? Answer: It replaces self-ownership with stewardship. Every choice — especially concerning our bodies — becomes an act of worship and gratitude to the One who purchased us.

💡 Summary Themes (1 Corinthians 6)

The church should resolve disputes internally, not before unbelievers.

Christians should value unity and witness above personal rights.

Believers’ identity in Christ demands purity and integrity.

Sexual sin defiles what belongs to God and violates our union with Christ.

Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, bought with the blood of Jesus.

Therefore: Glorify God in your body.