Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
1 Corinthians Ch.6 / 16 Ch.s
1CO:6
* Cautions against going to law in heathen courts. (1-8) Sins
which, if lived and died in, shut out from the kingdom of God.
(9-11) Our bodies, which are the members of Christ, and temples
of the Holy Ghost, must not be defiled. (12-20)
#1-8 Christians should not contend with one another, for they
are brethren. This, if duly attended to, would prevent many
law-suits, and end many quarrels and disputes. In matters of
great damage to ourselves or families, we may use lawful means
to right ourselves, but Christians should be of a forgiving
temper. Refer the matters in dispute, rather than go to law
about them. They are trifles, and may easily be settled, if you
first conquer your own spirits. Bear and forbear, and the men of
least skill among you may end your quarrels. It is a shame that
little quarrels should grow to such a head among Christians,
that they cannot be determined by the brethren. The peace of a
man's own mind, and the calm of his neighbourhood, are worth
more than victory. Lawsuits could not take place among brethren,
unless there were faults among them.
#9-11 The Corinthians are warned against many great evils, of
which they had formerly been guilty. There is much force in
these inquiries, when we consider that they were addressed to a
people puffed up with a fancy of their being above others in
wisdom and knowledge. All unrighteousness is sin; all reigning
sin, nay, every actual sin, committed with design, and not
repented of, shuts out of the kingdom of heaven. Be not
deceived. Men are very much inclined to flatter themselves that
they may live in sin, yet die in Christ, and go to heaven. But
we cannot hope to sow to the flesh, and reap everlasting life.
They are reminded what a change the gospel and grace of God had
made in them. The blood of Christ, and the washing of
regeneration, can take away all guilt. Our justification is
owing to the suffering and merit of Christ; our sanctification
to the working of the Holy Spirit; but both go together. All who
are made righteous in the sight of God, are made holy by the
grace of God.
#12-20 Some among the Corinthians seem to have been ready to
say, All things are lawful for me. This dangerous conceit St.
Paul opposes. There is a liberty wherewith Christ has made us
free, in which we must stand fast. But surely a Christian would
never put himself into the power of any bodily appetite. The
body is for the Lord; is to be an instrument of righteousness to
holiness, therefore is never to be made an instrument of sin. It
is an honour to the body, that Jesus Christ was raised from the
dead; and it will be an honour to our bodies, that they will be
raised. The hope of a resurrection to glory, should keep
Christians from dishonouring their bodies by fleshly lusts. And
if the soul be united to Christ by faith, the whole man is
become a member of his spiritual body. Other vices may be
conquered in fight; that here cautioned against, only by flight.
And vast multitudes are cut off by this vice in its various
forms and consequences. Its effects fall not only directly upon
the body, but often upon the mind. Our bodies have been redeemed
from deserved condemnation and hopeless slavery by the atoning
sacrifice of Christ. We are to be clean, as vessels fitted for
our Master's use. Being united to Christ as one spirit, and
bought with a price of unspeakable value, the believer should
consider himself as wholly the Lord's, by the strongest ties.
May we make it our business, to the latest day and hour of our
lives, to glorify God with our bodies, and with our spirits
which are his.