1 Corinthians 6:10
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Original Language Analysis
πλεονέκται
covetous
G4123
πλεονέκται
covetous
Strong's:
G4123
Word #:
4 of 14
holding (desiring) more, i.e., eager for gain (avaricious, hence a defrauder)
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 14
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 5:11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.Galatians 5:21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.Ephesians 4:28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.Ezekiel 22:29The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.1 Peter 4:15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.Matthew 23:33Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?Ezekiel 22:27Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.John 12:6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.1 Thessalonians 4:6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.Ezekiel 22:13Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.
Historical Context
The catalog resembles Hellenistic Jewish vice lists (Wisdom of Solomon 14:25-26, Philo) and Paul's own (Romans 1:29-31, Galatians 5:19-21). Such lists functioned didactically—showing converts what behaviors to abandon. In Corinth's context, each vice had social reinforcement: drinking defined symposia culture, greed drove commerce, reviling was rhetorical sport. Paul demands: renounce Corinthian values, embrace kingdom ethics. The church is alternative society, not Corinth-with-Jesus-added.
Questions for Reflection
- Which vice in this list (theft, greed, drunkenness, verbal abuse, extortion) do you rationalize as 'not that bad' compared to sexual sins?
- How does Paul's economic ethics (condemning greed and extortion) challenge prosperity gospel or consumerist Christianity?
- What does it mean that ongoing, unrepentant practice of these sins indicates one 'shall not inherit the kingdom'—and how does this relate to assurance of salvation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The vice catalog continues: Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Kleptai (κλέπται, 'thieves') and harpages (ἅρπαγες, 'extortioners, swindlers') bracket economic injustice—the very sins implied in verse 8's fraud. Pleonektai (πλεονέκται, 'covetous, greedy') describes insatiable desire for more, the root of litigation and sexual sin alike.
Methusoi (μέθυσοι, 'drunkards') points to loss of self-control; loidoroi (λοίδοροι, 'revilers, verbal abusers') likely includes courtroom slanderers. This comprehensive list spans sexual, religious, economic, and relational spheres—no area of life escapes kingdom standards. Paul's point: these sins characterize those outside Christ; those in Christ cannot persist in them without forfeiting inheritance. The gospel transforms; faith without works is dead (James 2:17).