1 Corinthians 6:9
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Original Language Analysis
οἴδατε
Know ye
G1492
οἴδατε
Know ye
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 21
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἄδικοι
the unrighteous
G94
ἄδικοι
the unrighteous
Strong's:
G94
Word #:
5 of 21
unjust; by extension wicked; by implication, treacherous; specially, heathen
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
G932
βασιλείαν
the kingdom
Strong's:
G932
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
7 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
κληρονομήσουσιν;
inherit
G2816
κληρονομήσουσιν;
inherit
Strong's:
G2816
Word #:
9 of 21
to be an heir to (literally or figuratively)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
10 of 21
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
πλανᾶσθε·
Be
G4105
πλανᾶσθε·
Be
Strong's:
G4105
Word #:
11 of 21
to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue)
πόρνοι
fornicators
G4205
πόρνοι
fornicators
Strong's:
G4205
Word #:
13 of 21
a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e., (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine)
εἰδωλολάτραι
idolaters
G1496
εἰδωλολάτραι
idolaters
Strong's:
G1496
Word #:
15 of 21
an image- (servant or) worshipper (literally or figuratively)
μαλακοὶ
effeminate
G3120
μαλακοὶ
effeminate
Strong's:
G3120
Word #:
19 of 21
soft, i.e., fine (clothing); figuratively, a catamite
Cross References
Leviticus 20:13If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.Leviticus 18:22Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.1 Corinthians 6:10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.Revelation 22:15For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.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?1 Corinthians 5:10Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.Hebrews 13:4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.Deuteronomy 22:5The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.Romans 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Historical Context
Corinth was infamous for sexual vice—the temple of Aphrodite allegedly employed 1,000 cult prostitutes. Whether myth or reality, the city's reputation as sexually licentious was widespread ('to Corinthianize' meant to practice immorality). Converts came from this background (v. 11), and some evidently thought grace permitted ongoing sin (6:12). Paul insists: justified sinners are called to holiness, not license.
Questions for Reflection
- What sins are you tolerating because you've been deceived into thinking grace covers ongoing, unrepentant practice?
- How does Paul's vice list challenge contemporary claims that any sexual expression is permissible for Christians?
- Why does inheriting God's kingdom require a transformed life, not just intellectual assent to gospel truths?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Paul pivots from litigation to broader vice with his trademark ē ouk oidate (ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε, 'or don't you know?'). Adikoi (ἄδικοι, 'unrighteous')—the same term for pagan judges (v. 1)—now describes those excluded from the kingdom of God (basileian theou, βασιλείαν θεοῦ). Inheritance language evokes Israel's covenant (Deuteronomy 4:20-21) but now applies to new creation citizenship.
Be not deceived (mē planasthe, μὴ πλανᾶσθε): the Corinthians' false assurance needed rebuke. The vice catalog that follows—fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of themselves with mankind—uses specific Greek terms. Pornoi (πόρνοι, 'fornicators') encompasses all sexual immorality outside marriage; eidōlolatrai (εἰδωλολάτραι, 'idolaters') recalls Corinth's temple culture; moichoi (μοιχοί, 'adulterers') specifies married infidelity; malakoi (μαλακοί, 'soft, effeminate') likely means passive partners in homosexual acts; arsenokoitai (ἀρσενοκοῖται, 'men who bed males') refers to active partners. Paul condemns all same-sex practice.