1 Corinthians 6:20
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Original Language Analysis
ἠγοράσθητε
ye are bought
G59
ἠγοράσθητε
ye are bought
Strong's:
G59
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τιμῆς·
with a price
G5092
τιμῆς·
with a price
Strong's:
G5092
Word #:
3 of 20
a value, i.e., money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself
δοξάσατε
glorify
G1392
δοξάσατε
glorify
Strong's:
G1392
Word #:
4 of 20
to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεοῦ
God
G2316
Θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
7 of 20
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματι
body
G4983
σώματι
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
10 of 20
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματι
spirit
G4151
πνεύματι
spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
15 of 20
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
Cross References
1 Corinthians 7:23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.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.1 Peter 2:9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:1 Peter 1:18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;Philippians 1:20According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.Acts 20:28Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.Galatians 3:13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:Hebrews 9:12Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.1 Corinthians 10:31Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.Revelation 5:9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
Historical Context
Slave redemption (ransom from bondage) was common in Roman Corinth. Corinthian Christians, some literally freedmen/slaves, understood: they'd been purchased from sin's slavery into Christ's liberating ownership. The twist: this Master demands holiness, not exploitation. Paul applies economic metaphor to cosmic transaction—Christ's death as purchase price. 'Glorify God in your body' was countercultural: bodies were for pleasure or labor, not worship. Paul insists: bodily actions (eating, sex, work) are liturgical—they either honor or dishonor the Owner.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing yourself as 'bought with a price' shift your sense of obligation from guilt-based to gratitude-based obedience?
- What specific bodily practices (sexuality, eating, rest, generosity) can you reframe as acts of worship that glorify God?
- How can the church celebrate the body as instrument of divine glory without falling into legalism or body-obsession?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For ye are bought with a price (ēgorasthēte gar timēs, ἠγοράσθητε γὰρ τιμῆς)—redemption language. Agorazō (ἀγοράζω, 'purchase, buy') was used for slave markets; timē (τιμή, 'price') is singular and emphatic—the price, Christ's blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). Believers are purchased property, slaves of Christ (7:22-23), a status that paradoxically brings true freedom. Ownership determines use: you're not self-owned but Christ-bought.
Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Doxasate dē ton theon en tō sōmati hymōn (δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν)—aorist imperative, urgent command. Doxazō (δοξάζω, 'glorify') means to honor, magnify, reveal God's worth. The body is instrument of worship. 'And in your spirit, which are God's' is textually disputed (absent in many manuscripts), but the point stands: whole-person worship, body included. Sexual purity, like bodily resurrection (v. 14), declares God's glory. Holiness is doxology.