1 Corinthians 6:9
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 6:9
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,
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 6 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of mercy, discipleship, judgment. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 6:9
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,
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Word Studies
- God: Θεός (Theos) G2316 - God
Cross-References
- Kingdom: 1 Corinthians 6:10
- References God: 1 Corinthians 6:19, Deuteronomy 22:5, Hebrews 13:4
- Righteousness: Romans 1:18
- Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 5:10, Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, Revelation 21:8, 22:15