King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 6:20 Mean?

1 Corinthians 6:20 in the King James Version says “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

1 Corinthians 6:20 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

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.

Read 1 Corinthians 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For ye are bought with a price (ēgorasthēte gar timēs, ἠγοράσθητε γὰρ τιμῆς)—redemption language. Agorazō (ἀγοράζω, 'purchase, buy') was used for slave markets; timē (τιμή, 'price') is singular and emphatic—the price, Christ's blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). Believers are purchased property, slaves of Christ (7:22-23), a status that paradoxically brings true freedom. Ownership determines use: you're not self-owned but Christ-bought.

Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Doxasate dē ton theon en tō sōmati hymōn (δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν)—aorist imperative, urgent command. Doxazō (δοξάζω, 'glorify') means to honor, magnify, reveal God's worth. The body is instrument of worship. 'And in your spirit, which are God's' is textually disputed (absent in many manuscripts), but the point stands: whole-person worship, body included. Sexual purity, like bodily resurrection (v. 14), declares God's glory. Holiness is doxology.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Slave redemption (ransom from bondage) was common in Roman Corinth. Corinthian Christians, some literally freedmen/slaves, understood: they'd been purchased from sin's slavery into Christ's liberating ownership. The twist: this Master demands holiness, not exploitation. Paul applies economic metaphor to cosmic transaction—Christ's death as purchase price. 'Glorify God in your body' was countercultural: bodies were for pleasure or labor, not worship. Paul insists: bodily actions (eating, sex, work) are liturgical—they either honor or dishonor the Owner.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does viewing yourself as 'bought with a price' shift your sense of obligation from guilt-based to gratitude-based obedience?
  2. What specific bodily practices (sexuality, eating, rest, generosity) can you reframe as acts of worship that glorify God?
  3. How can the church celebrate the body as instrument of divine glory without falling into legalism or body-obsession?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 20 words
ἠγοράσθητε1 of 20

“ye are bought”

G59

properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem

γὰρ2 of 20

“For”

G1063

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

τιμῆς·3 of 20

“with a price”

G5092

a value, i.e., money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself

δοξάσατε4 of 20

“glorify”

G1392

to render (or esteem) glorious (in a wide application)

δὴ5 of 20

“therefore”

G1211

a particle of emphasis or explicitness; now, then, etc

τὸν6 of 20
G3588

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

Θεοῦ7 of 20

“God”

G2316

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

ἐν8 of 20

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ9 of 20
G3588

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

σώματι10 of 20

“body”

G4983

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

ὑμῶν,11 of 20

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καὶ12 of 20

“and”

G2532

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

ἐν13 of 20

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ14 of 20
G3588

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

πνεύματι15 of 20

“spirit”

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ὑμῶν,16 of 20

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἅτινά17 of 20

“which”

G3748

which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same

ἐστιν18 of 20

“are”

G2076

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

τοῦ19 of 20
G3588

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

Θεοῦ20 of 20

“God”

G2316

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

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 6:20 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 6:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 7:23Romans 12:11 Peter 2:91 Peter 1:18Hebrews 9:12Philippians 1:20

Test Your Knowledge

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

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