It looks like Paul shifts gears a little bit as chapter six begins, but a closer look will reveal that he's really continuing the point he ended chapter five with--the world and the church ought to be judged differently. Consider this outline of chapter six:
v. 1-6 Paul contends that matters between believers should be worked out among believers. He speaks this to the church of Corinth's shame: Is it possible there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?
v. 7-8 This ought not be the case. Wouldn't you rather be wronged or cheated than to scandalize the name of Christ? Are you holding on to your 'rights' so dearly?
v. 9-11 Here, Paul returns to the differences between the world and followers of Christ--what should be easily understood and discernable. These practices of the world--(1) the church needs to realize that is what some of you were, and (2) but you were washed, sanctified and justified. This realization should change the way we live with regard to one another.
v. 12-20 This section starts with what appears to be Paul quoting common sayings of his day--notice the quotation marks. "Everything is permissible for me..." Certainly it is. But Paul warns, not everything is beneficial. As he rolls out the argument he turns to matters of sexual immorality--there are consequences unique to the follower of Christ: the temple is defiled through sexual sin.
Chapters five and six actually dovetail together nicely in his teachings: there are different behaviors, standards and values between those in the world and those in the church; there are also different standards for judging; there are also different consequences of sin--we, believers, are a set-apart (sanctified) people.
I learn something new each time I read 1 Cor. 6. The message and comments shared were excellent. Generally I think Paul was writing about inner moral restraint which always shows outwardly in vice or virtue. My comments about Olympic athletic training provide an analogy about the inner restraint or "discipline" necessary to succeed - successful athletic perfomance reflects inner discipline and self restraint. The text eventually lists certain vices (sin) and reference to the body and The Body as immortal. Of course, the sins listed are not to be brushed off nor is the list complete. I think we will do well to remember that our bodies need regular excercise, self restraint, and discipline for our spirit, mind and bodies -not in vanity but for good. It is indicting to think that a lack of self control about our spirit, mind and body is not only about immorality but applies to food, drink, study and bodily excercise all of which probably show outwardly too...and as our individual "temples" go...so goes The Body -The Church. Footnote: Our spiritual health, mental and physical health is measured well by the presence of "risk factors." The fewer risk factors the better our health...
Posted by: Barry Nilson | February 18, 2010 at 02:56 PM