1 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 6:14 mean?

1 Corinthians 6:14 says that God raised Jesus (the Lord) from the dead and will also raise believers by his own power. The verse points to God’s ability to give life after death, using the resurrection of Jesus as proof and promise for others.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, reminding them that their bodies matter to God. In the wider context, Paul is addressing issues of morality and how believers should live, using the resurrection as a foundation for hope and how they treat their bodies. The verse assures the Corinthians that just as God acted powerfully in Jesus’ resurrection, he will act for them too.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 6:14

• ἐγήγερκεν (egegérken, “hath raised up”): This Greek word is often used for resurrection, meaning to raise from the dead. Paul uses it to connect Jesus’ resurrection to the future resurrection of believers, stressing continuity.
• δύναμις (dýnamis, “power”): This word means strength or miraculous power. Paul highlights that it is God’s own power, not human effort, that brings about resurrection, emphasizing God’s active role.

Why 1 Corinthians 6:14 matters

• The verse clarifies that resurrection is not just for Jesus but is promised to all believers, grounding Christian hope in God’s demonstrated power.
• By connecting bodily resurrection to God’s power, Paul counters any idea that the body is unimportant or only spiritual things matter.
• This statement ties into Paul’s larger argument in the chapter about how believers should honor God with their bodies, since those bodies are destined for resurrection.