Question 1

What does 1 Corinthians 6:20 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 6:20 says that believers have been bought at a high cost, so they should honor God with both their bodies and their spirits, since both belong to God. The verse emphasizes that Christians are not their own, but belong to God because of what He has done for them. Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing problems with how some were living, especially regarding sexual morality. He reminds them that their whole selves—body and spirit—are God’s property because of the “price” paid for them, which refers to Jesus’ sacrificial death. Paul’s point is that their daily lives, including physical actions, should reflect this new belonging.

Question 2

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 6:20

Accepted Answer

ἠγοράσθητε (ēgorásthēte, “bought”): This word is often used in the context of purchasing slaves or property. Paul uses it to stress that believers now belong to God because He has paid for them. τιμῆς (timēs, “price”): This word means a significant value or cost. The verse highlights that the cost was not cheap or trivial, underscoring the seriousness of what God has done. δοξάσατε (doxásate, “glorify”): This word means to honor or bring glory to someone. Paul is urging believers to show God’s greatness through how they live in both body and spirit. σώματι (sōmati, “body”) and πνεύματι (pneúmati, “spirit”): Paul specifically mentions both body and spirit to make clear that honoring God is not just a spiritual idea but involves physical actions and choices as well.

Question 3

Why 1 Corinthians 6:20 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clears up the idea that faith is only about inward beliefs; Paul insists that honoring God involves both physical actions and spiritual attitudes. The verse connects to the wider passage where Paul is correcting misunderstandings about freedom and morality, showing that Christian freedom comes with the responsibility to honor God. By using the language of being “bought with a price,” Paul emphasizes the depth of God’s commitment to believers and the seriousness of their response.

1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV)