King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 6:14 Mean?

1 Corinthians 6:14 in the King James Version says “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

1 Corinthians 6:14 · KJV


Context

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 .

16

What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. The resurrection grounds Paul's sexual ethic. Ēgeiren (ἤγειρεν, 'raised', aorist—completed act) refers to Christ's resurrection; exegerei (ἐξεγερεῖ, 'will raise', future) promises ours. The link: by his own power (dia tēs dynameōs autou, διὰ τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ). The same power that resurrected Jesus will resurrect believers' bodies.

This demolishes 'it's just my body' logic. Your body isn't disposable flesh but resurrection-bound matter. Sexual sin isn't merely 'what I do in private'—it defiles the future temple. Christ's resurrection body (Luke 24:39-43: physical, touchable, eating) previews ours. If God cares enough about bodies to resurrect them eternally, sexual purity matters cosmically. The interim body is stewardship of what God will perfect.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Greek immortality concepts featured the soul escaping the body (Plato's Phaedo). Christianity's bodily resurrection was scandalous—pagans mocked it (Acts 17:32). But Paul insists: the body's destiny determines its present meaning. Gnostic tendencies (spirit good, matter bad) couldn't accommodate resurrection or incarnation. Paul's Jewish framework: God redeems the whole person, body included. First-century believers lived in this tension: resurrection promised but not yet experienced, so bodily ethics anticipate eternal physicality.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does belief in bodily resurrection change the way you treat your body—diet, exercise, sexuality, rest?
  2. What would it mean to view your current body as a 'preview' or 'prototype' of your eternal resurrection body?
  3. How does Christ's physical resurrection validate the importance of embodied worship, sacraments, and sexual purity?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
1 of 14
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 14

And

G1161

but, and, etc

θεὸς3 of 14

God

G2316

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

καὶ4 of 14

also

G2532

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

τὸν5 of 14
G3588

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

κύριον6 of 14

the Lord

G2962

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

ἤγειρεν7 of 14

hath

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

καὶ8 of 14

also

G2532

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

ἡμᾶς9 of 14

us

G2248

us

ἐξεγερεῖ10 of 14

raise up

G1825

to rouse fully, i.e., (figuratively) to resuscitate (from death), release (from infliction)

διὰ11 of 14

by

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τῆς12 of 14
G3588

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

δυνάμεως13 of 14

power

G1411

force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)

αὐτοῦ14 of 14
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


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 6:14 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 6:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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