King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 6:11 Mean?

1 Corinthians 6:11 in the King James Version says “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus,...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

1 Corinthians 6:11 · King James Version

Holy Spirit

Context

9

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

12

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. expedient: or, profitable

13

Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. Meats: not flesh only, but food of any kind

Read 1 Corinthians 6 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And such were some of you (kai tauta tines ēte, καὶ ταῦτα τινες ἦτε)—the hinge verse, dripping with redemptive power. Ēte (ἦτε) is past tense: 'you were,' no longer! Tauta ('these things') points back to the whole sordid catalog—fornicators, idolaters, thieves, drunkards. Some Corinthian Christians were these things. The gospel doesn't attract the righteous but transforms the wicked.

Then three glorious passives: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified (alla apelousasthe, alla hēgiasthēte, alla edikaiōthēte, ἀλλὰ ἀπελούσασθε, ἀλλὰ ἡγιάσθητε, ἀλλὰ ἐδικαιώθητε). Passive voice—God acts, they receive. Apelousasthe ('washed') evokes baptism, cleansing from defilement (cf. Acts 22:16). Hēgiasthēte ('sanctified') means set apart, made holy—a positional change. Edikaiōthēte ('justified') is forensic: declared righteous, acquitted. All three occur in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God—Trinitarian salvation: Father's agency, Son's authority, Spirit's power.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Corinthian converts included slaves, freedmen, merchants, and perhaps some aristocrats—people embedded in systemic vice (sexual, economic, religious). The gospel didn't merely reform morals but re-created identity. 'Such were some of you' became the church's testimony—a living demonstration of resurrection power. Critics mocked Christianity as a religion of slaves and prostitutes; Paul says, 'Yes, and look what God did with them.' Transformation validates the gospel.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'such were some of you' testimony do you carry—what sins or brokenness did Christ rescue you from?
  2. How does the threefold washing-sanctifying-justifying prevent both legalism (it's all God's work) and antinomianism (we're called to holiness)?
  3. Why is it essential that some church members have dramatic conversion stories from deep sin—what does this reveal about grace?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
καὶ1 of 23

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ταῦτά2 of 23

“such”

G5023

these things

τινες3 of 23

“some of you”

G5100

some or any person or object

ἦτε·4 of 23

“were”

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)

ἀλλ'5 of 23

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἀπελούσασθε6 of 23

“ye are washed”

G628

to wash fully, i.e., (figuratively) have remitted (reflexively)

ἀλλ'7 of 23

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἡγιάσθητε8 of 23

“ye are sanctified”

G37

to make holy, i.e., (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate

ἀλλ'9 of 23

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἐδικαιώθητε10 of 23

“ye are justified”

G1344

to render (i.e., show or regard as) just or innocent

ἐν11 of 23

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ12 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀνόματι13 of 23

“the name”

G3686

a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)

τοῦ14 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κυρίου15 of 23

“of the Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Ἰησοῦ16 of 23

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

καὶ17 of 23

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐν18 of 23

“by”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ19 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεύματι20 of 23

“the Spirit”

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

τοῦ21 of 23
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ22 of 23

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

ἡμῶν23 of 23

“of our”

G2257

of (or from) us

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 6:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 6:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 1:30Colossians 3:5-71 Corinthians 1:2Acts 22:16Romans 6:17-19Romans 8:30

Test Your Knowledge

1 Corinthians 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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