1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἀπελούσασθε
ye are washed
G628
ἀπελούσασθε
ye are washed
Strong's:
G628
Word #:
6 of 23
to wash fully, i.e., (figuratively) have remitted (reflexively)
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἡγιάσθητε
ye are sanctified
G37
ἡγιάσθητε
ye are sanctified
Strong's:
G37
Word #:
8 of 23
to make holy, i.e., (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἐδικαιώθητε
ye are justified
G1344
ἐδικαιώθητε
ye are justified
Strong's:
G1344
Word #:
10 of 23
to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματι
the name
G3686
ὀνόματι
the name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
13 of 23
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
15 of 23
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
16 of 23
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
17 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματι
the Spirit
G4151
πνεύματι
the Spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
20 of 23
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 1:30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:Acts 22:16And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.Romans 8:30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.1 Corinthians 1:2Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's:Ephesians 5:26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,1 Peter 1:2Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.Hebrews 10:22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.Acts 26:18To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.Ephesians 5:8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:Romans 5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Historical Context
Corinthian converts included slaves, freedmen, merchants, and perhaps some aristocrats—people embedded in systemic vice (sexual, economic, religious). The gospel didn't merely reform morals but re-created identity. 'Such were some of you' became the church's testimony—a living demonstration of resurrection power. Critics mocked Christianity as a religion of slaves and prostitutes; Paul says, 'Yes, and look what God did with them.' Transformation validates the gospel.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'such were some of you' testimony do you carry—what sins or brokenness did Christ rescue you from?
- How does the threefold washing-sanctifying-justifying prevent both legalism (it's all God's work) and antinomianism (we're called to holiness)?
- Why is it essential that some church members have dramatic conversion stories from deep sin—what does this reveal about grace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And such were some of you (kai tauta tines ēte, καὶ ταῦτα τινες ἦτε)—the hinge verse, dripping with redemptive power. Ēte (ἦτε) is past tense: 'you were,' no longer! Tauta ('these things') points back to the whole sordid catalog—fornicators, idolaters, thieves, drunkards. Some Corinthian Christians were these things. The gospel doesn't attract the righteous but transforms the wicked.
Then three glorious passives: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified (alla apelousasthe, alla hēgiasthēte, alla edikaiōthēte, ἀλλὰ ἀπελούσασθε, ἀλλὰ ἡγιάσθητε, ἀλλὰ ἐδικαιώθητε). Passive voice—God acts, they receive. Apelousasthe ('washed') evokes baptism, cleansing from defilement (cf. Acts 22:16). Hēgiasthēte ('sanctified') means set apart, made holy—a positional change. Edikaiōthēte ('justified') is forensic: declared righteous, acquitted. All three occur in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God—Trinitarian salvation: Father's agency, Son's authority, Spirit's power.