‏ 1 Corinthians 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.