1 Corinthians Chapter 6 · Verse 16
What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
Original Language Analysis
οἴδατε
know ye
G1492
οἴδατε
know ye
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 19
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 19
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κολλώμενος
he which is joined
G2853
κολλώμενος
he which is joined
Strong's:
G2853
Word #:
6 of 19
to glue, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to stick (figuratively)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμά
body
G4983
σῶμά
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
10 of 19
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
γάρ
for
G1063
γάρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
φησίν
saith he
G5346
φησίν
saith he
Strong's:
G5346
Word #:
14 of 19
to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εἰς
one
G1519
εἰς
one
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
17 of 19
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Genesis 2:24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.Ephesians 5:31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.Mark 10:8And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.Hebrews 11:31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.Genesis 38:24And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt.Genesis 34:31And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?Judges 16:1Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her.
Historical Context
Genesis 2:24 described marriage, but Jewish and Christian interpreters saw it as revealing sex's intrinsic nature: unitive. Unlike animals, human sexuality carries personal, relational, spiritual weight. Corinthian culture trivialized sex—slaves as sexual objects, prostitutes as service providers. Paul's revolutionary claim: every sexual act has marital-level significance. This dignifies the marginalized (prostitutes are persons, not commodities) and calls believers to sexual integrity reflecting God's covenant faithfulness (Hosea 1-3).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the 'one flesh' teaching challenge beliefs that sex can be purely physical without emotional or spiritual bonding?
- What past sexual unions (even those you considered 'casual') might still affect you, requiring confession, healing, and renewing of the mind?
- How can the church recover the biblical vision of sex as sacred, covenant-creating, and inseparable from permanent commitment?
Analysis & Commentary
What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? Kollaō (κολλάω, 'joined, united, glued') indicates permanent bond—the same word for cleaving in marriage (Genesis 2:24 LXX). Paul cites Genesis: for two, saith he, shall be one flesh (esontai gar, phēsin, hoi dyo eis sarka mian, ἔσονται γάρ, φησίν, οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν). Mia sarx (μία σάρξ, 'one flesh') isn't mere physical contact but ontological union—two become a single entity.
The scandal: Paul applies marital one-flesh language to prostitution. This devastates any 'it's just sex' rationale. There's no such thing as casual sex—every sexual union creates one-flesh bond, whether within or outside covenant. Prostitution profanes what God designed for lifelong, exclusive union. The Corinthians thought they could compartmentalize: spiritual union with Christ, physical recreation with prostitutes. Paul says: impossible—bodies aren't shells but integral to personhood.