King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 6:15 Mean?

1 Corinthians 6:15 in the King James Version says “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the membe...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 .”

1 Corinthians 6:15 · KJV

Context

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.

17

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Read 1 Corinthians 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Paul intensifies union-with-Christ theology. Melē Christou (μέλη Χριστοῦ, 'members of Christ')—believers' bodies are literally parts of Christ's body (12:27, Ephesians 5:30). Not metaphor: mystical union. Then the horrifying implication: shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? (aras oun ta melē tou Christou poiēsō pornēs melē; ἄρας οὖν τὰ μέλη τοῦ Χριστοῦ ποιήσω πόρνης μέλη;)

Pornē (πόρνη, 'harlot, prostitute') was common in Corinth—temple prostitution and street trade. Paul's logic: sexual union joins bodies (v. 16), so sleeping with a prostitute unites Christ Himself to her. God forbid (mē genoito, μὴ γένοιτο, 'may it never be!')—Paul's strongest negative. The very idea is blasphemous. Sexual sin isn't private; it drags Christ into defiling union.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Corinth's Aphrodite cult may have involved sacred prostitution—religious sex as worship. Roman culture broadly tolerated prostitution as male prerogative. Male believers likely saw brothels as neutral recreation. Paul shocks them: you're not autonomous individuals—you're Christ's body parts. Your sexual choices implicate Him. This theology revolutionized sexual ethics: sex isn't recreational but covenantal, uniting persons at the deepest level (Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:31-32).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does union with Christ (your body as His member) change your view of sexual temptation and purity?
  2. What would it mean to pause before sexual decisions and ask, 'Am I joining Christ to this act/person?'
  3. How does Paul's visceral horror at sexual sin challenge casual cultural attitudes toward hook-up culture and pornography?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
οὐκ1 of 20

“not”

G3756

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

οἴδατε2 of 20

“Know ye”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι3 of 20

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

τὰ4 of 20
G3588

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

σώματα5 of 20

“bodies”

G4983

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

ὑμῶν6 of 20

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

μέλη;7 of 20

“the members”

G3196

a limb or part of the body

Χριστοῦ8 of 20

“of Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἐστιν9 of 20

“are”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἄρας10 of 20

“shall I”

G142

to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh

οὖν11 of 20

“then”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

τὰ12 of 20
G3588

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

μέλη;13 of 20

“the members”

G3196

a limb or part of the body

τοῦ14 of 20
G3588

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

Χριστοῦ15 of 20

“of Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ποιήσω16 of 20

“and make”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

πόρνης17 of 20

“of an harlot”

G4204

a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater

μέλη;18 of 20

“the members”

G3196

a limb or part of the body

μὴ19 of 20

“God forbid”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

γένοιτο20 of 20
G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

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 6:15 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 6:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 5:30Romans 12:5Ephesians 4:15-16Colossians 2:191 Corinthians 12:27Ephesians 4:12

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

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