I Corinthians 6

           I learned a new word today: “litigious.” Perhaps it’s new to you, too.  Merriam Webster defines “litigious” this way: 1) “disputatious, contentious” or 2) “prone to engage in lawsuits.”  A fitting adjective for the society in which we live, perhaps?  Also a fitting description of Greek culture at the time the apostle Paul wrote I Corinthians 6.  There, trials were held in theaters, and juries consisting of hundreds of people determined the outcome of each case.  In order to a win a case, it was important that one be a skillful orator and that he be popular.  No wonder the saints in Corinth were prone to respect the wise and the debaters of their day; no wonder they were guilty of seeking the praise of men (chapters 1-5).  Likewise, the members of the church were also assuming the mentality of the ungodly with regard to the legal system.  Whenever anyone felt that his rights had been violated, he took his suit to court.  Sound familiar? 

            Paul sets forth this principle in I Corinthians 6: no lawsuits between believers.  “Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?”  We’re just like the Corinthians, aren’t we?  More ready to defend our "rights" than assume our God-given responsibilities toward one another.

            Paul addresses the subject of lawsuits through verse 8 of chapter 6.  Then he returns to the subject of immorality in the church, and, more specifically, sexual immorality.  In some ways, verses 1-8 seem misplaced, don’t they?  But wait, let’s refresh our memories on chapter 5.  There was a member of the congregation in Corinth who was leading an immoral life and deserved to be judged by his fellow church members, but was not.  In contrast, Paul points out how quick they were to bring their grievances before the ungodly – thereby giving unbelievers occasion to ridicule Christianity – even though they refused to judge immorality in their own congregation!  So now Paul reaffirms:  “Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers (one who uses abusive language), nor extortioners (one who obtains from another by force, intimidation, or undue or illegal power) will inherit the kingdom of God.”  And then, this beautiful statement: “And such were some of you, BUT you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”  Ephesians 5:8:  “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

            Paul then takes on two idioms of the day:  First, “All things are lawful for me.”  Only some things, asserts Paul, are conducive to the Christian walk, and a Christian must never become a slave to a substance or behavior.  Then, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” a phrase some apparently used to rationalize sexual immorality: God created the body for sex, therefore we should enjoy sex without restriction.   No, writes Paul, the body was made for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.  You may think you are your own, but your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  In chapter 3 we saw that Paul referred to the church collectively as God’s temple, His building.  Now Paul refers to the body of the individual believer as the temple of the Holy Spirit in the same sense in which Jesus does in John 14:23:  “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”  You’re one with Christ, says Paul.  Do not join Christ with a prostitute!  And why should the Christian never become the slave of a substance or behavior?  Because we already belong to another – we’re the slaves of God – and what a price He paid for us!  So honor your Master with your body as well as your spirit.