1 Corinthians 6

This Sunday, Paul pushes the Corinthians further on the ethics of the community. He argues against taking fellow Christians to court and the anti-nomianism present at Corinth.

In Matthew, Jesus counsels the church to resolve disputes in the church face to face, before even involving any other people. Jesus understood human nature and our desire to solve our problems by involving others. Jesus counsels that we be direct, honest, and assertive.

The Corinthians had begun to take church matters into the Roman courts. Acts 18 shows how quickly the Corinthians had forgotten their history; the leaders of the synagogue tried to take Paul to court. Now, the Corinthian church was repeating history, asking a pagan civil court to settle a theological matter. Our baptism join us together in Christ and means Christians should settle our disputes within the community if at all possible.

The phrase "all things are lawful for me" translates more literally as "all things are possible." The law is not even at issue. The Corinthians think that since they are free from the letter of the law that they can do whatever they want. Paul counters with his earlier metaphor - our bodies are the very presence of God in the world, a temple, a place set apart. Paul focuses their attention on the Spirit within. Our response to the grace of God - glorify!

May we glorify and enjoy God forever!