King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 6:13 Mean?

1 Corinthians 6:13 in the King James Version says “Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornicatio... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

1 Corinthians 6:13 · KJV


Context

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

14

And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

15

Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid .


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Another Corinthian slogan: ta brōmata tē koilia kai hē koilia tois brōmasin (τὰ βρώματα τῇ κοιλίᾳ καὶ ἡ κοιλία τοῖς βρώμασιν)—'foods for the stomach, the stomach for foods.' They argued: bodily functions are morally neutral, so eat what you want (cf. Mark 7:19). Paul agrees—partially. Yes, God shall destroy both (ho theos kai tautēn kai tauta katargēsei, ὁ θεὸς καὶ ταύτην καὶ ταῦτα καταργήσει): food and digestive systems are temporary, part of the perishing order.

But then the contrast: Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. Sōma (σῶμα, 'body') ≠ koilia (κοιλία, 'belly'). The body is the whole person, destined for resurrection; the belly is temporary appetite. Sexual immorality (porneia, πορνεία) isn't like food—it violates the body's telos (purpose). The body exists for the Lord (tō kyriō, τῷ κυρίῳ), and reciprocally, the Lord for the body—He's redeeming, not discarding, it.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Greek dualism (Plato, Gnosticism) despised the body as inferior to the soul, leading to two errors: asceticism (punish the body) or libertinism (indulge it, since it's irrelevant). Corinthians leaned libertine, treating physical acts as spiritually neutral. Paul's Hebrew theology insists: embodiment matters. God created bodies good (Genesis 1-2), incarnated in a body (John 1:14), and promises bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15). Therefore, what you do with your body matters eternally.

Reflection Questions

  1. What false dualities (body vs. soul, secular vs. sacred) cause you to treat bodily choices as morally insignificant?
  2. How does the promise of bodily resurrection (v. 14) elevate the importance of sexual purity and physical stewardship now?
  3. In what ways do you live as if your body belongs to you rather than to the Lord?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
τὰ1 of 31
G3588

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

βρώμασιν2 of 31

Meats

G1033

food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the jewish law

τῇ3 of 31
G3588

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

κοιλία4 of 31

for the belly

G2836

a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart

καὶ5 of 31

and

G2532

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

6 of 31
G3588

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

κοιλία7 of 31

for the belly

G2836

a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart

τοῖς8 of 31
G3588

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

βρώμασιν9 of 31

Meats

G1033

food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the jewish law

10 of 31
G3588

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

δὲ11 of 31

Now

G1161

but, and, etc

θεὸς12 of 31

God

G2316

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

καὶ13 of 31

and

G2532

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

ταύτην14 of 31
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

καὶ15 of 31

and

G2532

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

ταῦτα16 of 31

them

G5023

these things

καταργήσει17 of 31

shall destroy

G2673

to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively

τὸ18 of 31
G3588

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

δὲ19 of 31

Now

G1161

but, and, etc

σώματι·20 of 31

for the body

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

οὐ21 of 31

is not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

τῇ22 of 31
G3588

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

πορνείᾳ23 of 31

for fornication

G4202

harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry

ἀλλὰ24 of 31

but

G235

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

τῷ25 of 31
G3588

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

κύριος26 of 31

for the Lord

G2962

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

καὶ27 of 31

and

G2532

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

28 of 31
G3588

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

κύριος29 of 31

for the Lord

G2962

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

τῷ30 of 31
G3588

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

σώματι·31 of 31

for the body

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively


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 6:13 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 6:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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