>1. What immorality was a member of the Corinthian congregation committing? (1)
* 1 Corinthians 5:1 "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife."
* Chapter 5 Overview.
Some avoid this chapter because some could be offended. I do not mean to offend. I am looking at Paul's instructions here to understand and thus to have hope, faith, and love to continue in my life.
Paul addresses sexual immorality in the congregation. Incest is specifically mentioned in 1 thru 5. He says that the man doing this should be put out of their fellowship. He equated it to handing the man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. (Lev. 20:11 says put him to death.) Yet, the man would be saved, for we are saved by grace through faith. In 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, Paul said to forgive him, love him, and bring him back into the fellowship because he stopped.
Paul then states that they were not to associate with believers who continually engage in 6 actions. He makes it clear that he is not including unbelievers. The actions are sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, slander, alcoholism, and swindling. I do not believe Paul is introducing the law. Rather, he is giving direction to help the congregation from falling into destructive yeast that would cause them to fall into harmful practices.
Sexual immorality is defined in Leviticus 18, 19:20-22, and 20 as 5 actions. Sexual immorality is defined as incest, adultery, homosexuality, bestiality, and during periods.
I am to help people, but only if they want to be helped. I am not and cannot force change on anyone. Forcing someone to stop a bad and even harmful habit when they have no desire to is a common mistake. Some who want change go through a 12-step program, a good tool God uses. I know that I continually need to check my motives and actions to see if I am guilty of any of these, for I am tempted to fall into some of these harmful actions from time to time. Resist the devil, and he will flee.
Listen to the above comments on 1 Corinthians Chapter 5 Overview.
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>Why might the congregation be proud in letting this man be a member of their congregation? (2)
* 1 Corinthians 5:2 "And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?"
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>What should have they done instead?
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>2. What does Paul mean by writing he is with them in spirit? (3-4)
* 1 Corinthians 5:3-4 "Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,"
* "Even though I am not physically present"
* "I am with you in spirit"
* "just as if I were present"
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>What does he mean that he has passed judgment on the man?
* "I have already passed judgment on the one who did this,"
* "just as if I were present"
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>What is meant by "the power of our Lord Jesus is present"?
* "the power of our Lord Jesus is present"
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>What kind of assembly were they to enact the judgement on the man?
* "When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus"
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>Why might they be tempted to do this in a secret closed meeting?
* Embarrassed
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>What is handing someone over to Satan? (5)
* 1 Corinthians 5:5 "hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord."
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* Sinful Nature Destroyed.
Apostle Paul addresses another problem at the Corinthian congregation, their handling of a member who is engaging in sexual immorality of a kind that does not occur even among pagans (1). The woman involved, according to the phrase the apostle used, "father's wife", suggests that the woman was his step-mother. Some commentators have suggested that his father had passed and his son married her. However, that is unimportant, for it is not mentioned by Paul in his letter (though, perhaps in 2 Corinthians 7:12). The Old Testament prohibited such a marriage (Leviticus 18:8; Deuteronomy 22:30, 27:20).
The church leadership, if they had one at this time, had done nothing about the ongoing sin. In fact, the congregation was proud of their liberty, a distortion of grace (2). Not even the pagans had tolerance for the disgrace of a father's bed. The Roman orator Cicero states that incest was practically unheard of in Roman society.
Some modern congregations are betrothed in the distorted grace of another type of sexual immorality, which I will not address, for BDBD is intended to be a personal devotional.
So, considering tolerance with the continued sexual sin of even a casual friend, it is best to take Apostle Paul's direction, and meet with them in the name of your Lord Jesus, and as the power of our Lord Jesus is present. Hand this person over to Satan, that is, tell them you no longer consider them a friend because of their continuing in a sexual immorality that cannot be tolerated, especially since you will not live with a distorted grace. This seems harsh, for it is. Pray for them for quite some time, and you will see that distorted grace burns both.
Listen to the above comments on 1 Corinthians 5:1-5.
>3. What is yeast compared to? (6-8; Luke 12:1-3)
* 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 "Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth."
* Luke 12:1-3 "Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs."
* "the yeast of malice and wickedness"
* "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy"
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>If someone were to be continually committing a sin and talking about it among the congregation, what effect would it have?
* "a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough"
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>What Festival contains a sacrifices lamb and what kind of bread was to be eaten after it? (Lev. 23:4-8)
* "Passover"
* Leviticus 23:4-8 "'These are the LORD's appointed feasts, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times: The LORD's Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. On the fifteenth day of that month the LORD's Feast of Unleavened Bread begins; for seven days you must eat bread made without yeast. On the first day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. For seven days present an offering made to the LORD by fire. And on the seventh day hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.'"
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>What does the bread without yeast represent?
* "the bread of sincerity and truth"
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* Hold the Yeast.
Understanding the Biblical Holy Week (aka Passover Week) helps in understanding Paul's analogy. (Exodus 12:1-30, Leviticus 23:4-8; Deuteronomy 16:1-8; John 13:1-2, 18:27, 19:14)
Preparations were needed before Passover began. According to tradition, cleaning the location of any yeast was first. "Get rid of the old yeast," Paul repeats the Mosaic Law (7). Yeast is usually a symbol of sin in the Bible. (Matthew 16:11-12; Mark 8:15; Galatians 5:7-9)
After this, before Passover began, the Passover lamb was killed and prepared (7). Then, Passover began with the meal the evening before Passover day. The Passover lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread (without yeast) were eaten that evening. Passover Day continued until evening the next day.
Jesus is our Passover Lamb who takes away sin. (7, John 1:29, 36) In his death on the cross, Christ fulfilled the true meaning of the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus takes away yeast (sin).
The "Festival" is the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which follows Passover. (Leviticus 23:4-8) It lasts for the remainder of the week, symbolizing living the Christian life in holy dedication to God (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:5) and not getting involved in such sins as malice and wickedness and incestuous marriages. We are to remain without sin.
Thus, Apostle Paul uses these Mosaic Feasts, just as John the Baptist did, to reveal God's plan for the church. We are to remain without sin (yeast).
Listen to the above comments on 1 Corinthians 5:6-8.
>4. What kind of proclaimed believer are we to not associate with? (9, 11; Acts 15:28-29)
* 1 Corinthians 5:9 "I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--"
* 1 Corinthians 5:11 "But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat."
* Acts 15:28-29 "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell."
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* Association, Part 1.
Apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians is the third-earliest letter that we have today, 1 & 2 Thessalonians being earlier. In verses 9-10a, Paul has them recall an earlier letter that we do not have. That letter stated, "Do not associate with sexually immoral people." He adds here, "...not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters (He's defining unbelievers.)." (9)
However, in many other later letters, Paul writes the same thing as here: stay away from sexual immorality (i.e., 6:9; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 12:16, 13:4; and John's Revelation 21:8, 22:15).
Also, all the apostles, as is recorded in Acts 15, during the council in Jerusalem, gave only these restrictions to the gentile believers, "Abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality." (Acts 15:28-29) Paul keeps reminding his fellow believers in Jesus and me of the same thing - avoid sexual immorality and don't place myself into temptation by associating with the believer who is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, or a slanderer, a drunkard, or a swindler (11).
Listen to the above comments on 1 Corinthians 45:9-11, part 1.
* Association, Part 2.
Apostle Paul lists Christians not to associate with. They call themselves a brother or sister in Christ Jesus, but continue to apply these six. They are sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, slander, drunkenness (substance addiction), and swindling (11). The confessed Christian knows these are sins, but does not resist committing them. The 5 Biblical sexual immorality were listed in the previous BDBD titled, "Chapter 5 Overview".
Greed is an excessive or reprehensible desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth. In short, greed is covetousness (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21, 7:25; Hebrews 13:5;1 Timothy 6:9; Matthew 6:20). Hebrews 13:5 instructs, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
Apostle Paul includes idolatry in the list of six sins that a person who calls themselves a brother or sister continues to commit, that I must avoid. Yes, idolatry. According to Colossians 3:5 and Ephesians 5:5, a greedy person is an idolater. Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 6:2) What do I desire more: God or money?
Slander is speaking critically of another person with the intent to hurt and to give false testimony. (Leviticus 19:16; Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy) Slander is as habitual as the other five sins. "Every careless word said will need to be accounted for on judgement day," so said Jesus (Matthew 12:36).
Swindling (extortion, rapacious) is to cheat or defraud of money or property and to obtain by fraudulent means. I cannot think of one company that hired me that did not keep to what we negotiated, and many of them went to a congregation.
The often exclaimed Christian have heard that these six are sins, but do nothing to resist them in their hearts and minds. In their stubborn refusal, they resist the work of the Holy Spirit that desires to make them like Christ Jesus.
In my six decades, I have seen men and women who remain trapped by these sins, and yet remain popular in congregations because they are rich and pleasing to look at. While the righteous autistic and "strange person" cry lonely tears because they are isolated. I even heard a pastor say more than once that he told college students they do not have to associate with people they consider weird, even though they attend the same congregation as them. Are we not guilty too? (Matthew 18:10)
Listen to the above comments on 1 Corinthians 45:9-11, part 2.
>Does this refer to an unbeliever? (10)
* 1 Corinthians 5:10 "not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world."
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>Why is this so? (12-13)
* 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked man from among you.'"
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II. Law Suites Before Non-Believers (6:1-11)
>5. What was another problem among the Corinthian congregation? (1, 6)
* 1 Corinthians 6:1 "If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints?"
* 1 Corinthians 6:6 "But instead, one brother goes to law against another--and this in front of unbelievers!"
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* Chapter 6 Overview.
Apostle Paul addresses two more problems in the Corinthian congregation in chapter 6. First, lawsuits against others in the congregation, and second, employing a prostitute. The points are rather straightforward. Yet, some good truths are also revealed within.
First, if there is a dispute between two believers, they should settle it among themselves (1-8). The Corinthian believers were going to court against each other. If the brothers and sisters cannot settle their differences on a one-to-one basis, another member of the congregation should intervene. Paul said it is very important to settle disagreements between brothers and sisters in the Lord. The same is true between husband and wife, and between parents and children. Jesus also taught peace and love to the disciples, who often argued about who was the greatest. (Mark 9:33-37)
Secondly, I am the temple of God, and my wife is the temple of God. Therefore, I should honor God with my body sexually (12-20). Sex is God's great gift to a married man and women only. When any man and a woman lie together, no matter the circumstances, they become one flesh. (16b). "One flesh" means one in body, mind, soul, and spirit. This union is sacred, designed by God (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5; Mark 10:6-9).
God's design through sex is for the married and united couple never to be united with another, neither in body, mind, nor heart. The couple is to continually engage in building each other up in this sacred union blessed by the Holy Spirit. Looking at marriage statistics, couples I know, and my own life, I know this is truly great and yet takes effort, a determined will, and passion.
Because of the blessing of marriage and the sexual union, Paul emphasises, "Flee from sexual immorality." (18) Self-control is a gift of the Holy Spirit we can choose to exercise. (1 Corinthians 7:5; Galatians 5:23; 2 Peter 1:6) All Christians have been given a gift to stay true to their spouse, whether married, engaged, or still waiting for the Lord Jesus to introduce them to the one whom He will unite them. Therefore, God has given us the ability to control our bodies, including keeping the marriage bed only with the one God unites us to. (Hebrews 13:4)
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>Who are the saints? (2-3)
* 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!"
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>When will they judge the world and the angels?
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>Considering this, how should believers settle disagreements? (4-5)
* 1 Corinthians 6:4 "Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?"
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* Settle It Within.
The disputes Apostle Paul addresses are civil matters, not criminal. If it were criminal violations, the Roman state would be involved. (Romans 13:3-4) Also, Paul's declaration, "Why not rather be cheated?" (7), also indicates that the disputes were civil matters involving money and property. The Romans allowed Jews (Christians were still considered a Jewish sect) to settle their own property disputes according to Jewish law.
Now, in my sixty-plus years, I do not remember any Christians being close enough to have a dispute over money and property, except for one area: inheritance. A human constant seems to be the sudden sibling relationship change upon their parent's passing and the inheritance split. I first encountered this with my grandparents' death, on both sides. I found it rather shocking to see siblings that I thought had a good relationship suddenly change into strong, bitter disputes.
When I asked those older than I about this, they said, "Yes. Sibling cheating and wronging happen most of the time regarding inheritance. Buried past wrongs come to life. Greed comes from the cave of selfishness." Now that I am older, I can testify that this is true. The more possessions and wealth involve the longer the sibling has been planning and conceiving.
Make the decision now if you have siblings, "Why not be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?" Do not make an enemy of blood now, only to bleed grief into your old age. My grandmother chose to marry one of the poorest men in the town over family wealth because she considered love and happiness worth more than the wealth of her family. As years pass, that sibling will be more of a comfort than money and wealth.
>6. How does the problems in the Corinthian churches indicated a deeper problem? (7-8)
* 1 Corinthians 6:7-8 "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers."
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>7. What is the kingdom of God and who will not inherit it? (9a)
* 1 Corinthians 6:9a "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:"
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>How is a kingdom inherited?
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>What actions do with wicked commit? (9b-10)
* 1 Corinthians 6:9b-10 "Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God."
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>8. Should wicked actions be in our past? (11)
* 1 Corinthians 6:11 "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
* "some of you were"
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>How were we cleansed of our past sins and lives?
* "you were washed"
* "you were sanctified"
* "you were justified"
* "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ"
* "and by the Spirit of our God"
>Should someone who has put their faith in Jesus get themselves dirty again?
* No, the New Testament writers are clear. We are to stop sinning.
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>If we are defeated and sin what should a believer do? (John 13:10; Gal. 6:1-2)
* John 13:10 "Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."
* Galatians 6:1-2 "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
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* Washed, Sanctified, and Justified in Jesus, Part 1.
Apostle Paul, tells the Corinthian believers, "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already." (7a) Then, he defines the wicked, something he did in 5:9-11. Here, he lists sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexual offenders, thieves, greedy, drunkards, slanderers, and swindlers. Paul identifies three kinds of sexual immoral persons. (Also see Romans 1:26-27)
The wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God (9), a fact repeated often in the Bible. They will be filled with remorse, weeping a river of tears. (Matthew 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28) "Do not be deceived," he begins his warning (9).
The good news is there is hope for the wicked. As long as we breathe, there is hope for the sinner. Some of the Corinthian believers were locked in one or more of the wicked ways of life before they came to believe in the saving and redeeming power of Jesus, the Son of God (11). They were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of God. Now the Kingdom of God is theirs. They have a wonderful inheritance that will never fade, spoil, rot, or be boring. They were born again.
The time to decide is now. Jesus is waiting for your positive reply.
* Washed, Sanctified, and Justified in Jesus, Part 2.
Those in Corinth who put their faith in Jesus were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of God. (11) What did Apostle Paul mean by washed, sanctified, and justified?
The original Greek word for washed is "apolouo" meaning "washed away", not "ablution". Ablution is a washing or cleansing of the body as part of a religious purification rite. (Mark 7:3, 8; Hebrews 9:10) Ablution is a general term for the ritual washing of the body or objects for purification, while baptism is a specific, one-time, Christian sacrament signifying spiritual rebirth and cleansing from sin. While both involve water, ablution is often repeated, whereas baptism is a singular act that symbolizes a transformative inner action (Acts 22:16; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 6:1-2). Hebrews 10:22 states, "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."
The original Greek word for "sanctified" is "hagiazo" meaning "make holy" and "separate, contrasting with the profane". Thus, God separates his people, dedicating them to him and his use through Jesus. (1:2; Romans 15:16; 1 Peter 1:2) The moral implications are stunning. Hebrews 13:12-16 reads, "And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood... Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
The original Greek word for "justified" is "dikaioo" meaning "brought into an unmerited right relationship with God". Simply put it is just-as-if I had never sinned. Paul wrote in 1:30, "It is because of God that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption."
The common fact is that my status in Christ Jesus is all because of God. I did not deserve it. He did it anyway.
III. Sexual Immorality (6:12-20)
>9. If the statement "Everything is permissible for me" what two things did the Corinthians forget? (12)
* 1 Corinthians 6:12 "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything."
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>Who are we to remember in everything we do? (13)
* 1 Corinthians 6:13 "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"--but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."
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>10. With what body was Jesus raised from the dead with and how will we follow him? (14; Matt. 22:29-30; Luke 20:34-36)
* 1 Corinthians 6:14 "By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also."
* Matthew 22:29-30 "Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven."
* Luke 20:34-36 "Jesus replied, "The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God's children, since they are children of the resurrection."
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>With whom are believers united spiritually and could be united physically? (16-17)
* 1 Corinthians 6:16-17 "Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh. But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit."
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>What then should we do? (18)
* 1 Corinthians 6:18 "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."
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>As a congregation makes a church hospitable, shouldn't all the more we not take care of our physical bodies? (19-20)
* 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
