What does it mean that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?

When Paul says the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God, he is warning that people who go on living in sin, without repentance or change, should not expect to share in God’s future rule and blessing. He lists examples like sexual sin, idolatry, greed, drunkenness, and abuse of others. The point is not that these sins cannot be forgiven, but that a life that stays in them, without turning to Christ, shows a person is still outside God’s kingdom.

Why does Paul say be not deceived in this passage?

Paul says “be not deceived” because people can easily fool themselves into thinking they can live any way they like and still be safe with God. Some in that church may have thought that faith in name only, or Christian liberty, allowed them to keep old sinful habits. Paul warns that this is a lie. A true share in God’s kingdom goes with a changed life. God’s grace does not leave people as they were, but turns them from these sins toward holiness.

What does washed, sanctified, and justified mean here?

These three words describe what God had already done for many in that church. “Washed” means God has cleansed them from their old sins through Jesus’ work. “Sanctified” means God has set them apart for himself and begun to change their hearts and desires. “Justified” means God has declared them right with him, not because of their own goodness, but through the name of the Lord Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit. Together they show a full change of status and life.

What does all things are lawful but not expedient mean?

When Paul says, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient,” he is talking about Christian freedom. In Christ, believers are not under the old law in the same way, but that does not mean everything is good to do. Some things may be allowed in one sense yet still harmful, enslaving, or unhelpful to others. So a believer should not just ask, “Is this permitted?” but also, “Does this build up, honor God, and keep me free from being ruled by my desires?”

Why does Paul say the body is for the Lord and not for fornication?

Paul explains that the body is not meant for sexual sin but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. God cares about our bodies, not just our souls. He will raise our bodies, just as he raised the Lord Jesus. That means our physical life has a holy purpose. Using the body for fornication twists that purpose. Instead, our bodies are to serve God, reflect our new life in Christ, and show that we belong to him now and in the coming resurrection.

What does it mean that our bodies are members of Christ?

When Paul says our bodies are members of Christ, he means believers are deeply united to Jesus, not only in spirit but in their whole person. Like parts of a body belong to the whole, Christians belong to Christ. What they do with their bodies is joined to him. That is why joining the body to a prostitute is so shocking in this passage. It would be like taking what belongs to Christ and tying it to sin. Instead, those who belong to the Lord are one spirit with him.

Why does Paul connect sexual sin with being one flesh with a harlot?

Paul quotes the words, “the two shall be one flesh,” to show that sexual union is not just a casual act. It creates a real, bodily bond. So if someone joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her in that sense. For a believer, whose body is a member of Christ, this is especially wrong. It mixes what is holy with what is sinful. Paul uses this strong picture to warn them not to treat sexual sin lightly, but to see how deeply it affects the person.

How does this passage apply to Christians struggling with past or present sin?

This passage first reminds Christians that many of them once lived in very dark sins, yet God washed, sanctified, and justified them. So there is real hope and forgiveness for anyone who turns to Christ. At the same time, it calls believers not to go back to those old ways, especially in sexual sin. Remembering that their bodies belong to the Lord and are joined to him helps them fight temptation. The answer is not despair, but repentance and walking in their new identity.

What does this passage teach about the resurrection of the body?

Paul says God raised up the Lord and will also raise up believers by his power. This shows that God has plans for our bodies beyond this life. The body is not just something temporary to be used however we like and then thrown away. Because God will raise it and join it to Christ’s life, we should treat it with respect now. The hope of resurrection supports his call to purity, reminding us that our bodies have a future with God, not just a present use.

1Cor.6.9

1 Corinthians 6:9

KJV

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,

Members of Christ

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,

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one Spirit.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.