1 Corinthians 6:19-20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

The human body and its relation to Christ. Among the objects about him proper for use and enjoyment—those objects which accorded with his nature and position as a redeemed man—was there anything from which he was excluded? "All things are lawful unto me," and, in this sense, liberty and law are identical, the measure of the one being the measure of the other. If law is of God, so is freedom; if the former is the expression of the Divine will and character, so is the latter; and if man is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Abuse of Christian liberty. It appears that the principle of Christian liberty, "All things are lawful for me," had been greatly abused by some in the Church at Corinth. It was cited in defence of fornication, as well as of eating all kinds of meats. They confounded it with the philosophical maxim that man is the measure for himself; from which they drew the conclusion that the sexual appetite may be gratified in the same indiscriminate way as that of hunger. This pernicious abuse the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 6:13-19

Duties to the body. Christianity concerns itself about man's body as well as about man's soul. Christianity is a religion for man—for a whole man. When considering matters of religion, we are apt to leave the body too much out of account. Our remissness might be corrected if we remembered how large an influence the body has upon the mind and soul. I. CONSIDER WHAT CHRISTIANITY SAYS ABOUT THE BODY . It is: 1. For the Lord. 2. A temple of the Holy Ghost. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 6:19

That your body is the temple (or rather, a sanctuary ) of the Holy Ghost. He has already said that the Church is a shrine or sanctuary of the Holy Ghost ( 1 Corinthians 3:16 ); but here for the first time expression is given to one of the deepest and newest truths of Christianity. Three great epochs are marked by the use of the word temple. In the Old Testament it means the material temple, the sign of a localized worship and a separated people; in the Gospels our Lord uses it of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 6:19

Divine ownership. One of the most elementary principles of Christian thought and life is expressed in these words: "Ye are not your own." The sense of Divine ownership rather than self ownership is the inspiration of all Christian dignity and strength. Consider— I. THE NATURE AND GROUNDS OF THIS PERSUASION . There is a sense in which it is true of all men that they are not their own. It is a necessary inference from the fact that they are created and dependent beings. But... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 6:19

The temple body and its sanctity. The idea of the old temple was not that of the modern church, which is a building in which men may gather to worship God. The old temple was a shrine for Deity to dwell in; and this Divine presence in the central shrine was conceived as hallowing the entire temple buildings, right through to the outer courts and gates. Nothing might enter the precincts that defiled or worked abomination. Illustrate from Solomon's temple, and the extreme jealousy with which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 6:19

The Christian has no personal rights. This assertion may be made both concerning himself and concerning the things which he is said to possess. Three points claim consideration. I. THE CHRISTIAN IS NOT HIS OWN . Before conversion he may have so thought of himself. The essence of conversion is a voluntary surrender of will and life to Christ. II. HE IS A BOUGHT ONE . And he dwells with holy satisfaction on the "precious blood" which was as it were his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

A purchased possession. Every noble character and life is based upon self renunciation. A man, in order to make his mark upon the world, must lose himself in some great cause, that e.g. of his country, of science, of art, of humanity. Is there an all absorbing aim in which men generally may justly lose themselves? If there be, it must be the highest, all comprehending, perfectly and lastingly satisfactory. Christians have found this secret: they live to God in Christ. They are not their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 6:20

Ye are bought with a price . That price is the blood of Christ, wherewith he purchased the Church ( Acts 20:28 ; Hebrews 9:12 ; 1 Peter 1:18 , 1 Peter 1:19 ; Revelation 5:9 ). This metaphor of ransom ( 1 Corinthians 7:23 ; 2 Peter 2:1 ) has its full and absolute applicability to man. The effect of Christ's death for us is that we are redeemed from slavery and prison, and the right of our possession is with Christ. Thus by various metaphors the effects of redemption are revealed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 6:20

"Glorify God." "The heavens declare the glory of God." Hosts of angelic and glorified spirits give "glory, honour, and thanksgiving unto him." "All nations whom he hath made shall come and glorify his Name." "And shall man alone be dumb Till this glorious kingdom come? No! the Church delights to raise Psalms and hymns and songs of praise." I. ON WHAT GROUNDS SHOULD CHRISTIANS GLORIFY GOD ? This is a reasonable service, a reasonable requirement. 1. God has a... read more

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