1 Corinthians – Chapter 6

New Testament • 20 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to be judged before the unjust: and not before the saints?" — so begins 1 Corinthians 6. Across its 20 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and God's kingdom and kingship. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to be judged before the unjust: and not before the saints?

2Know you not that the saints shall judge this world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3Know you not that we shall judge angels? How much more things of this world?

4If therefore you have judgments of things pertaining to this world, set them to judge who are the most despised in the church.

5I speak to your shame. Is it so that there is not among you any one wise man that is able to judge between his brethren?

6But brother goeth to law with brother: and that before unbelievers.

7Already indeed there is plainly a fault among you, that you have law suits one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? Why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

8But you do wrong and defraud: and that to your brethren.

9Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: Neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers:

10Nor the effeminate nor liers with mankind nor thieves nor covetous nor drunkards nor railers nor extortioners shall possess the kingdom of God.

11And such some of you were. But you are washed: but you are sanctified: but you are justified: in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God.

12All things are lawful to me: but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful to me: but I will not be brought under the power of any.

13Meat for the belly and the belly for the meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord: and the Lord for the body.

14Now God hath raised up the Lord and will raise us up also by his power.

15Know you 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!

16Or know you not that he who is joined to a harlot is made one body? For they shall be, saith he, two in one flesh.

17But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.

18Fly fornication. Every sin that a man doth is without the body: but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

19Or know you not that your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost, who is in you, whom you have from God: and you are not your own?

20For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body.

Important Verses in 1 Corinthians 6

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to be judged before the unjust: and not before the saints?”

1 Corinthians 6:1

“And such some of you were. But you are washed: but you are sanctified: but you are justified: in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God.”

1 Corinthians 6:11

“Now God hath raised up the Lord and will raise us up also by his power.”

1 Corinthians 6:14

“Or know you not that your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost, who is in you, whom you have from God: and you are not your own?”

1 Corinthians 6:19

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, 1 Corinthians was written with the divided church of Corinth, called back to unity and holiness in view. Chapter 6 of 16 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a apostolic teaching addressed to a Christian community with 20 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to be judged before the unjust: and not before the saints?" The final verse reads: "For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body. " The wider setting of 1 Corinthians is this: Corinth was a wealthy, cosmopolitan port city, and its young church mirrored its problems: factions, lawsuits, immorality, and confusion about worship. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 56, from Ephesus.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Paul

When It Was Written

About AD 56, from Ephesus

Catholic Commentary

The letter combines theological exposition with pastoral exhortation for believers. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to be judged before the unjust: and not before the saints?" The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of unity, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection. Paul's teaching on the Eucharist and the body of Christ (CIC 1329, 791). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 721).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Now you are the body of Christ. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, 1 Corinthians 6 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • ✓God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • ✓The Holy Spirit is the giver of life who animates creation, the prophets, and the Church.

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches 1 Corinthians Chapter 6 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that unity, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing forgiveness and reconciliation.

May your reading of 1 Corinthians Chapter 6 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how Now you are the body of Christ applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Corinthians Chapter 6 about?

1 Corinthians 6 contains 20 verses. It opens with "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to be judged before the unjust: and not before the saints?" and closes with "For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body. ". The book as a whole is epistle.

What is a key verse in 1 Corinthians 6?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to be judged before the unjust: and not before the saints?" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote 1 Corinthians and when?

The Apostle Paul. About AD 56, from Ephesus.

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Act of Contrition🙏Kyrie Eleison🙏The Our Father🙏Novena to Christ the King

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