1 Corinthians 6:15-20 (Part two of 1 Corinthians 6:12-20)
Review:
Who said, “I am allowed to do anything”?
Paul is addressing sexual immorality. The Corinthians wanted to argue that sexual immorality was o.k.
Sexual immorality.
- Sexual immorality was taking place in the Corinthian church.
- Sexual immorality has no place in the life of a Christian.
- No other sin so clearly affects the body as sexual immorality does.
- Sexual immorality is very much a part of the world we live in.
“TV shows are going way too far to attract viewers.”
“Parents are failing in their duty towards their children. Children have the opportunity of watching “porn movies” for instance, because there is little or no parental mediation. Some parents are so busy nowadays that they hardly have time to find out the type of films their children watch.”
The internet is easy access to inappropriate content.
- As parents or teachers, we need to be teaching values that are counter to or in opposition to many of the values taught by the world.
1 Corinthians 6:15-20 (NLT)
15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! 16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” 17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Examine the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 6:15-20 (NLT)
15 Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ?
1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT)
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
- Christians, and their bodies, are part of Christ. (verse 15)
- Christians were bought by God and belong to God. (verse 20)
- The body of a Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (verse 19)
Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute?
Last lesson:
Paul argues that the argument supporting sexual immorality cannot be compared to the hunger experienced by the stomach.
The body in this context meant more than the physical frame. It referred to the whole person, composed of flesh and spirit. The body was not perishable, but eternal and was not meant for sexual immorality, but for union with the Lord.
Never!
This behavior may be o.k. in the eyes of the world, but it is never o.k. in the eyes of God.
Here is the argument from a Biblical (Paul’s) point of view.
16 And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her?
For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.”
- Sex in marriage was designed by God to create a very special and unique relationship between a man and a woman. (Genesis and Ephesians )
Ephesians 5:31-32 (NLT)
31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
This is a great mystery, therefore we won’t understand everything there is to understand about this union.
Genesis 2:24 (NLT)
24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.
A very unique relationship is formed between a man and his wife.
A similar unique relationship is formed between a man and a prostitute. (Verse 16)
- Sex with a prostitute makes the prostitute a part of a unique relationship between a man and a woman.
17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
Ephesians 5:31-32
31 As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
- Christ and the church are one.
Add a prostitute to this mix. Never (verse 15) It just doesn’t work. This is no longer an illustration of Christ and the church.
- Sexual immorality destroys the relationship between Christ and the Church.
18 Run from sexual sin!
Ephesians 5:3-9 (NLT)
3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.
Venereal disease and HIV
19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
