1 Corinthians 6:13 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 6:13 mean?

1 Corinthians 6:13 says that food and the stomach are both temporary and will be done away with by God, but the human body is meant for the Lord, not for sexual immorality. The verse draws a clear line between everyday physical needs and the deeper purpose of the body in relation to God.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing confusion about how Christians should view their bodies and physical desires. Some in Corinth argued that just as eating is a natural appetite, so is sexual activity, but Paul corrects this by saying the body has a higher purpose—it belongs to the Lord. This sets up his larger point about honoring God with one's body.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 6:13

• “Meats” (βρῶμα, brōma): This word means food in general, not just meat. Paul uses it to talk about ordinary, passing appetites.
• “Belly” (κοιλία, koilia): This refers to the stomach, the part of the body for digesting food. Paul uses it as a symbol for physical desires that are temporary.
• “Destroy” (καταργέω, katargeō): This word means to do away with or abolish. Paul says God will ultimately do away with both food and the stomach, showing their temporary nature.
• “Body” (σῶμα, sōma): This word means the whole person, not just the physical shell. Paul contrasts the body’s lasting purpose with the temporary nature of food and the stomach.

Why 1 Corinthians 6:13 matters

• This verse clears up the misunderstanding that all physical desires are equal or morally neutral; Paul says the body is not just for satisfying urges.
• Paul’s emphasis on the body belonging to the Lord highlights the Christian teaching that physical life has spiritual significance.
• The verse helps set the stage for Paul’s later teaching about honoring God with one’s body, showing that Christian ethics are not just about rules but about purpose and belonging.