King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 6:9 Mean?

1 Corinthians 6:9 in the King James Version says “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolate... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1 Corinthians 6:9 · KJV


Context

7

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

8

Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

9

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10

Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Paul pivots from litigation to broader vice with his trademark ē ouk oidate (ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε, 'or don't you know?'). Adikoi (ἄδικοι, 'unrighteous')—the same term for pagan judges (v. 1)—now describes those excluded from the kingdom of God (basileian theou, βασιλείαν θεοῦ). Inheritance language evokes Israel's covenant (Deuteronomy 4:20-21) but now applies to new creation citizenship.

Be not deceived (mē planasthe, μὴ πλανᾶσθε): the Corinthians' false assurance needed rebuke. The vice catalog that follows—fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, abusers of themselves with mankind—uses specific Greek terms. Pornoi (πόρνοι, 'fornicators') encompasses all sexual immorality outside marriage; eidōlolatrai (εἰδωλολάτραι, 'idolaters') recalls Corinth's temple culture; moichoi (μοιχοί, 'adulterers') specifies married infidelity; malakoi (μαλακοί, 'soft, effeminate') likely means passive partners in homosexual acts; arsenokoitai (ἀρσενοκοῖται, 'men who bed males') refers to active partners. Paul condemns all same-sex practice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Corinth was infamous for sexual vice—the temple of Aphrodite allegedly employed 1,000 cult prostitutes. Whether myth or reality, the city's reputation as sexually licentious was widespread ('to Corinthianize' meant to practice immorality). Converts came from this background (v. 11), and some evidently thought grace permitted ongoing sin (6:12). Paul insists: justified sinners are called to holiness, not license.

Reflection Questions

  1. What sins are you tolerating because you've been deceived into thinking grace covers ongoing, unrepentant practice?
  2. How does Paul's vice list challenge contemporary claims that any sexual expression is permissible for Christians?
  3. Why does inheriting God's kingdom require a transformed life, not just intellectual assent to gospel truths?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
1 of 21
G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

οὐ2 of 21

not

G3756

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

οἴδατε3 of 21

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 21

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἄδικοι5 of 21

the unrighteous

G94

unjust; by extension wicked; by implication, treacherous; specially, heathen

βασιλείαν6 of 21

the kingdom

G932

properly, royalty, i.e., (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively)

θεοῦ7 of 21

of God

G2316

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

οὐ8 of 21

not

G3756

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

κληρονομήσουσιν;9 of 21

inherit

G2816

to be an heir to (literally or figuratively)

μὴ10 of 21

not

G3361

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

πλανᾶσθε·11 of 21

Be

G4105

to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue)

οὔτε12 of 21

neither

G3777

not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even

πόρνοι13 of 21

fornicators

G4205

a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e., (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine)

οὔτε14 of 21

neither

G3777

not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even

εἰδωλολάτραι15 of 21

idolaters

G1496

an image- (servant or) worshipper (literally or figuratively)

οὔτε16 of 21

neither

G3777

not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even

μοιχοὶ17 of 21

adulterers

G3432

a (male) paramour; figuratively, apostate

οὔτε18 of 21

neither

G3777

not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even

μαλακοὶ19 of 21

effeminate

G3120

soft, i.e., fine (clothing); figuratively, a catamite

οὔτε20 of 21

neither

G3777

not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even

ἀρσενοκοῖται21 of 21

abusers of themselves with mankind

G733

a sodomite


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 6:9 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 6:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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