1 Corinthians Chapter 6 · Verse 13

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

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)
δὲ Now G1161
δὲ Now
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 11 of 31
but, and, etc
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
ταῦτα them G5023
ταῦτα them
Strong's: G5023
Word #: 16 of 31
these things
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)
δὲ Now G1161
δὲ Now
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 19 of 31
but, and, etc
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
οὐ is not G3756
οὐ is not
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 21 of 31
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
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)
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 30 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 #: 31 of 31
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

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.

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