King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 6:16 Mean?

1 Corinthians 6:16 in the King James Version says “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

1 Corinthians 6:16 · KJV

Context

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.

18

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

Read 1 Corinthians 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? Kollaō (κολλάω, 'joined, united, glued') indicates permanent bond—the same word for cleaving in marriage (Genesis 2:24 LXX). Paul cites Genesis: for two, saith he, shall be one flesh (esontai gar, phēsin, hoi dyo eis sarka mian, ἔσονται γάρ, φησίν, οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν). Mia sarx (μία σάρξ, 'one flesh') isn't mere physical contact but ontological union—two become a single entity.

The scandal: Paul applies marital one-flesh language to prostitution. This devastates any 'it's just sex' rationale. There's no such thing as casual sex—every sexual union creates one-flesh bond, whether within or outside covenant. Prostitution profanes what God designed for lifelong, exclusive union. The Corinthians thought they could compartmentalize: spiritual union with Christ, physical recreation with prostitutes. Paul says: impossible—bodies aren't shells but integral to personhood.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Genesis 2:24 described marriage, but Jewish and Christian interpreters saw it as revealing sex's intrinsic nature: unitive. Unlike animals, human sexuality carries personal, relational, spiritual weight. Corinthian culture trivialized sex—slaves as sexual objects, prostitutes as service providers. Paul's revolutionary claim: every sexual act has marital-level significance. This dignifies the marginalized (prostitutes are persons, not commodities) and calls believers to sexual integrity reflecting God's covenant faithfulness (Hosea 1-3).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the 'one flesh' teaching challenge beliefs that sex can be purely physical without emotional or spiritual bonding?
  2. What past sexual unions (even those you considered 'casual') might still affect you, requiring confession, healing, and renewing of the mind?
  3. How can the church recover the biblical vision of sex as sacred, covenant-creating, and inseparable from permanent commitment?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 19 words
ἢ1 of 19

“What”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

οὐκ2 of 19

“not”

G3756

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

οἴδατε3 of 19

“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

ὅτι4 of 19

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὁ5 of 19
G3588

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

κολλώμενος6 of 19

“he which is joined”

G2853

to glue, i.e., (passively or reflexively) to stick (figuratively)

τῇ7 of 19
G3588

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

πόρνῃ8 of 19

“to an harlot”

G4204

a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater

μίαν9 of 19

“one”

G1520

one

σῶμά10 of 19

“body”

G4983

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

ἐστιν;11 of 19

“is”

G2076

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

Ἔσονται12 of 19

“shall be”

G2071

will be

γάρ13 of 19

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

φησίν14 of 19

“saith he”

G5346

to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say

οἱ15 of 19
G3588

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

δύο16 of 19

“two”

G1417

"two"

εἰς17 of 19

“one”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

σάρκα18 of 19

“flesh”

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

μίαν19 of 19

“one”

G1520

one

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 6:16 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 6:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 2:24Ephesians 5:31Mark 10:8Matthew 19:5-6Matthew 21:31-32Judges 16:1

Test Your Knowledge

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

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