God the Father created our bodies; God the Son redeemed them and made them part of His body; and God the Spirit indwells our bodies and makes them the very temple of God. How can you defile God’s temple by using your body for immorality? The Greek word your is plural, but the words body and temple are singular (1 Corinthians 6:19). It may be that here Paul is describing not only the individual believer, but also the local church. Each local assembly is a “body” of people united to Jesus Christ. The conduct of individual members affects the spiritual life of the entire church.
In both cases, the lesson is clear: “Glorify God in your body”! The Holy Spirit was given for the purpose of glorifying Jesus Christ (John 16:14). The Spirit can use our bodies to glorify Him and to magnify Him (Philippians 1:20–21). Our special relationship to the Holy Spirit brings with it a special responsibility. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all involved in what we do with our bodies. If we break God’s laws, then we must pay the penalty (Romans 1:24–27).
This truth is a major theological theme in the letter with profound implications for everyday life. It strikes at the heart of the modern and postmodern notions that we must establish our own identities and prize autonomous freedom. The answer to Corinthian factionalism and inappropriate attachment to human leaders is to realize that “you belong to Christ” (3:23a). In I Corinthians 7:22–24 the implication of being “Christ’s slaves” is that we are ultimately “responsible only to God.” Here is Paul’s basic answer to “I have a right to do anything” (6:12). It was announced in the opening address of the letter—the Corinthians are the church belonging to God (1:2a).
Upon reflection, please answer these questions.
- Distinguish between what is a preference and what is a conviction.
- How do you harmonize being a servant of Christ with the present teaching against slavery?
- Why would you give up your personal freedoms for the sake of Christ and the gospel?
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