King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 6:18 Mean?

1 Corinthians 6:18 in the King James Version says “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

1 Corinthians 6:18 · KJV


Context

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.

19

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Flee fornication. Pheugete tēn porneian (φεύγετε τὴν πορνείαν)—urgent, present imperative. Pheugō means 'run away, escape' (like Joseph from Potiphar's wife, Genesis 39:12). Don't debate, rationalize, or linger—flee! Porneia encompasses all sexual immorality outside marriage. Then Paul's unique claim: Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

This is grammatically tricky. Paul likely quotes another Corinthian slogan ('every sin is outside the body'), then refutes it: ho de porneuōn eis to idion sōma hamartanei (ὁ δὲ πορνεύων εἰς τὸ ἴδιον σῶμα ἁμαρτάνει, 'but the fornicator sins into his own body'). Eis ('into') suggests internal violation—sexual sin uniquely corrupts the body's integrity because it involves the body as subject, not just instrument. Other sins (theft, drunkenness) involve the body as tool; fornication involves the body as object, profaning its purpose as Christ's member and the Spirit's temple.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Corinthians distinguished sins: theft and fraud were serious (impacting property), but sexual license was trivial recreation. Paul inverts this: sexual sin uniquely violates the body's sacred purpose. His theology anticipates modern insights: sexual trauma affects persons more deeply than other violations because sex engages the whole person—body, soul, emotions. 'Flee' was countercultural: Corinthian men boasted sexual exploits; Paul calls them to run like Joseph.

Reflection Questions

  1. What situations, relationships, or media consumption require you to 'flee' rather than attempt to manage or resist gradually?
  2. How does viewing sexual sin as uniquely self-destructive (sinning 'into' your own body) motivate purity without adding shame?
  3. What accountability structures can help you flee temptation swiftly rather than lingering in compromising situations?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
φεύγετε1 of 21

Flee

G5343

to run away (literally or figuratively); by implication, to shun; by analogy, to vanish

τὴν2 of 21
G3588

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

πορνείαν·3 of 21

fornication

G4202

harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry

πᾶν4 of 21

Every

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἁμάρτημα5 of 21

sin

G265

a sin (properly concrete)

6 of 21

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐὰν7 of 21
G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

ποιήσῃ8 of 21

doeth

G4160

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

ἄνθρωπος9 of 21

a man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐκτὸς10 of 21

without

G1622

the exterior; figuratively (as a preposition) aside from, besides

τοῦ11 of 21
G3588

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

σῶμα12 of 21

body

G4983

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

ἐστιν·13 of 21

is

G2076

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

14 of 21
G3588

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

δὲ15 of 21

but

G1161

but, and, etc

πορνεύων16 of 21

he that committeth fornication

G4203

to act the harlot, i.e., (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry

εἰς17 of 21

against

G1519

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

τὸ18 of 21
G3588

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

ἴδιον19 of 21

his own

G2398

pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate

σῶμα20 of 21

body

G4983

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

ἁμαρτάνει21 of 21

sinneth

G264

properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin


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 6:18 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 6:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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