1 Corinthians 6:13
Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
Original Language Analysis
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βρώμασιν
Meats
G1033
βρώμασιν
Meats
Strong's:
G1033
Word #:
2 of 31
food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the jewish law
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κοιλία
for the belly
G2836
κοιλία
for the belly
Strong's:
G2836
Word #:
4 of 31
a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κοιλία
for the belly
G2836
κοιλία
for the belly
Strong's:
G2836
Word #:
7 of 31
a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βρώμασιν
Meats
G1033
βρώμασιν
Meats
Strong's:
G1033
Word #:
9 of 31
food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the jewish law
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 31
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ταύτην
G3778
ταύτην
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
14 of 31
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καταργήσει
shall destroy
G2673
καταργήσει
shall destroy
Strong's:
G2673
Word #:
17 of 31
to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματι·
for the body
G4983
σώματι·
for the body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
20 of 31
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πορνείᾳ
for fornication
G4202
πορνείᾳ
for fornication
Strong's:
G4202
Word #:
23 of 31
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
24 of 31
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
for the Lord
G2962
κύριος
for the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
26 of 31
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
27 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
for the Lord
G2962
κύριος
for the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
29 of 31
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 6:19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?Romans 6:12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.1 Corinthians 3:16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?1 Corinthians 6:15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.Ephesians 5:23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.Matthew 15:17Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?Romans 14:17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.Romans 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Historical Context
Greek dualism (Plato, Gnosticism) despised the body as inferior to the soul, leading to two errors: asceticism (punish the body) or libertinism (indulge it, since it's irrelevant). Corinthians leaned libertine, treating physical acts as spiritually neutral. Paul's Hebrew theology insists: embodiment matters. God created bodies good (Genesis 1-2), incarnated in a body (John 1:14), and promises bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15). Therefore, what you do with your body matters eternally.
Questions for Reflection
- What false dualities (body vs. soul, secular vs. sacred) cause you to treat bodily choices as morally insignificant?
- How does the promise of bodily resurrection (v. 14) elevate the importance of sexual purity and physical stewardship now?
- In what ways do you live as if your body belongs to you rather than to the Lord?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Another Corinthian slogan: ta brōmata tē koilia kai hē koilia tois brōmasin (τὰ βρώματα τῇ κοιλίᾳ καὶ ἡ κοιλία τοῖς βρώμασιν)—'foods for the stomach, the stomach for foods.' They argued: bodily functions are morally neutral, so eat what you want (cf. Mark 7:19). Paul agrees—partially. Yes, God shall destroy both (ho theos kai tautēn kai tauta katargēsei, ὁ θεὸς καὶ ταύτην καὶ ταῦτα καταργήσει): food and digestive systems are temporary, part of the perishing order.
But then the contrast: Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. Sōma (σῶμα, 'body') ≠ koilia (κοιλία, 'belly'). The body is the whole person, destined for resurrection; the belly is temporary appetite. Sexual immorality (porneia, πορνεία) isn't like food—it violates the body's telos (purpose). The body exists for the Lord (tō kyriō, τῷ κυρίῳ), and reciprocally, the Lord for the body—He's redeeming, not discarding, it.