1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
Original Language Analysis
φεύγετε
Flee
G5343
φεύγετε
Flee
Strong's:
G5343
Word #:
1 of 21
to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πορνείαν·
fornication
G4202
πορνείαν·
fornication
Strong's:
G4202
Word #:
3 of 21
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry
ὃ
that
G3739
ὃ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
6 of 21
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
7 of 21
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ποιήσῃ
doeth
G4160
ποιήσῃ
doeth
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
8 of 21
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
ἐκτὸς
without
G1622
ἐκτὸς
without
Strong's:
G1622
Word #:
10 of 21
the exterior; figuratively (as a preposition) aside from, besides
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
12 of 21
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πορνεύων
he that committeth fornication
G4203
πορνεύων
he that committeth fornication
Strong's:
G4203
Word #:
16 of 21
to act the harlot, i.e., (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry
εἰς
against
G1519
εἰς
against
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
17 of 21
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἴδιον
his own
G2398
ἴδιον
his own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
19 of 21
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
Cross References
1 Peter 2:11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;1 Thessalonians 4:3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:Colossians 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:2 Timothy 2:22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.Hebrews 13:4Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.Ephesians 5:3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;1 Corinthians 6:9Know 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,2 Corinthians 12:21And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.1 Thessalonians 4:5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:Romans 1:24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Historical Context
Ancient Corinthians distinguished sins: theft and fraud were serious (impacting property), but sexual license was trivial recreation. Paul inverts this: sexual sin uniquely violates the body's sacred purpose. His theology anticipates modern insights: sexual trauma affects persons more deeply than other violations because sex engages the whole person—body, soul, emotions. 'Flee' was countercultural: Corinthian men boasted sexual exploits; Paul calls them to run like Joseph.
Questions for Reflection
- What situations, relationships, or media consumption require you to 'flee' rather than attempt to manage or resist gradually?
- How does viewing sexual sin as uniquely self-destructive (sinning 'into' your own body) motivate purity without adding shame?
- What accountability structures can help you flee temptation swiftly rather than lingering in compromising situations?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Flee fornication. Pheugete tēn porneian (φεύγετε τὴν πορνείαν)—urgent, present imperative. Pheugō means 'run away, escape' (like Joseph from Potiphar's wife, Genesis 39:12). Don't debate, rationalize, or linger—flee! Porneia encompasses all sexual immorality outside marriage. Then Paul's unique claim: Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
This is grammatically tricky. Paul likely quotes another Corinthian slogan ('every sin is outside the body'), then refutes it: ho de porneuōn eis to idion sōma hamartanei (ὁ δὲ πορνεύων εἰς τὸ ἴδιον σῶμα ἁμαρτάνει, 'but the fornicator sins into his own body'). Eis ('into') suggests internal violation—sexual sin uniquely corrupts the body's integrity because it involves the body as subject, not just instrument. Other sins (theft, drunkenness) involve the body as tool; fornication involves the body as object, profaning its purpose as Christ's member and the Spirit's temple.