by Heath Rogers

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (I Corinthians 6:9-11 NKJV).

The church in Corinth was located in a city that was notorious for its sinfulness. Corinth "was a cesspool of immorality. At night, it was made hideous by the brawls and lewd songs of drunken revelry. In the daytime, its markets and squares swarmed with Jewish peddlers, foreign traders, sailors, soldiers, athletes in training, boxers, wrestlers, charioteers, racing men, betting men, courtesans, slaves, idlers, and parasites of every description. To 'behave as a Corinthian' was a proverbial synonym for 'living an ungodly, immoral life,' The verb 'to Corinthianize' meant to have relations with a prostitute" (Reese, 13). The city of Corinth was home to the temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. The temple employed 1,000 "priestesses" (prostitutes) to "assist" in the worship of this love goddess.

Not only was the church in Corinth located in such an environment, but it was made up, at least in part, of men and women who had formerly lived the sinful lifestyle associated with the city.

There are a number of things that stand out in these verses written by Paul. The most obvious feature of this passage is the list of sins. Such lists can be found in several letters Paul wrote (e.g., Gal. 5:19-21, 1 Tim. 1:9-10). Let us first consider the contents of this list.

Fornication

This sin is defined as "voluntary sexual intercourse." Given the nature of the city of Corinth, we can understand why the Holy Spirit placed this sin first in the list. While this term refers to sexual intercourse between a man and a woman, it is somewhat of an "umbrella" term, encompassing a number of sexual acts, including adultery and homosexuality, both of which appear later in this list. The English Standard Version and the New International Version render the term as "sexually immoral."

Idolatry

An idolater is a person who worships an image that represents a false god. Such worship certainly took place in Corinth. The worship of an idol not only took away the glory and praise that belonged to the true and living God but also included other sins, some of which are listed here.

Adultery

This term refers to "voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man and a woman not his wife, or between a married woman and a man not her husband." Adultery is an act of unrighteousness because it violates the covenant between a husband and a wife, destroys the trust that one has in their spouse, and contaminates a union which God intends to be holy. Those who have divorced for a cause other than fornication (Matthew 19:9) and have remarried are in adultery and will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Homosexuality

There are two terms in Paul's list that identify those who participate in the sin of homosexuality. In the New King James Version, they are "homosexuals" and "sodomites." The King James Version renders the terms as "effeminate" and "abusers of themselves with mankind." It is unfortunate that the ESV lumps the two together with the phrase "men who practice homosexuality," because there is a difference in the meaning of the Greek words. The first term is taken from a Greek word that means "soft" or "soft to the touch," while the second term refers to a sodomite; "one who lies with a male as with a female." These words have reference to the specific roles taken in the homosexual act; the first referring to the man who is taking the role of the woman (soft or effeminate), the second referring to one who is treating another man as a woman. The NIV makes the distinction between the two as "male prostitutes" (those who allow themselves to be misused homosexually) and "homosexual offenders" (those who pursue and actively initiate homosexual practices).

Theft

To steal is "to take or appropriate (another's property, ideas, etc.) without permission, dishonestly, or unlawfully, especially in a secret or surreptitious manner." There are many kinds of things we can steal from others, and many ways they can be stolen.

Covetousness

To covet means "to want ardently (especially something that another person has); long for with envy." The ESV and NIV use the word "greedy." While there is certainly nothing wrong with wanting things, covetousness is a sin because it is a never-ending desire for more. Such an attitude makes covetousness a form of idolatry (Colossians 3:5), putting the object of one's desire and devotion in the place of God.

Drunkenness

This is referring to one who is in a state of intoxication or who habitually drinks to intoxication. While this term obviously condemns the person who is drunk, by its very nature, it condemns any means by which man forfeits his sobriety (including the use of mind-altering drugs) and even condemns the social use of alcohol. If a "drunkard" will not inherit the kingdom of God, why would a Christian want to have anything to do with that which causes him to lose his soul?

Revile

To revile means "to use abusive or contemptuous language in speaking to or about" others. A reviler is more than one who simply uses foul language. The emphasis is placed upon his desire to be abusive towards others. The NIV uses the word "slanderers."

Extortion

The word "extort" means "to get (money, etc.) from someone by violence, threats, misuse of authority, etc." This term translates the Greek word meaning "to pillage or plunder," i.e., to seize and carry off by force. The New American Standard Version, ESV, and NIV all use the word "swindlers." These are individuals who victimize their fellowmen for their own personal gain.

In light of the sins listed above, some observations and important lessons can be drawn from this passage.

• Those who are unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God. Though they may claim otherwise, such individuals are not part of the kingdom while living in this world and will not be part of the kingdom in eternity. Although one sin is certainly enough to condemn a soul to an eternal Hell, this passage is not speaking of those who fall into or happen to commit one of these sins at various times during their lives. It is talking about those who habitually practice unrighteousness, whose lives are characterized by a purposeful pursuit of sin.We are not to deceive ourselves. We cannot practice unrighteousness and be counted among the righteous. We cannot enjoy the passing pleasures of sin now and then and expect to enjoy the blessings reserved for the righteous in eternity. We will reap that which we have sown (Galatians 6:7). Our brethren may recognize us as being a part of the kingdom, but the Lord knows what is in our hearts, and He has the final voice regarding who is and who is not in His kingdom (Matthew 7:21-23, 13:40-42).
• There is a part of the kingdom that is yet to be inherited. While it is true that the kingdom presently exists and that Christians are part of that kingdom (Colossians 1:13, Revelation 1:9), there is an eternal aspect of the kingdom yet to be enjoyed. It will be inherited by the faithful following Judgment. "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'" (Matthew 25:34; c.f. I Peter 1:3-4, I Corinthians 15:50). No Christian should ever act and live as if he has arrived at his goal. Those who do such are in danger of forfeiting their home in Heaven. Otherwise, why would Paul be warning these Christians about the sins that they had formerly committed?
• We can change our sinful behavior. When Paul said, "And such were some of you," he forever answered the argument that man cannot change. Most of us have heard the saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," or, "I'm too set in my ways to change." The truth is that, no matter how bad a sinner one has been, he can change. That is what "conversion" is all about. To convert means to change from one thing into another. The fact that God commands man to be converted (Acts 3:19) means that man can change. Whether or not he wants to change is another matter, and is usually the reason for excuses such as those stated above.

When one visited the church in Corinth, he was worshipping alongside brethren who used to practice fornication, drunkenness, idolatry, extortion, homosexuality, etc. They had practiced these sins before becoming Christians, but they repented when they obeyed the gospel.

In our day, it has become common for some to argue that people are born with a tendency towards deviant behavior (especially homosexuality). They argue that, since God made them homosexuals, no one should insist that they stop practicing homosexuality. The idea that a homosexual cannot change, and should not be expected to change, is foreign to the Scriptures. The behaviors listed in I Corinthians 6:9-10 are choices, and sinners must choose to repent if they will be forgiven by God.

The Bible teaches that sinners must change the way they live to faithfully follow Christ.

"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others... For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light" (Ephesians 2:1-3, 5:8).

Paul says that these Corinthians were characterized by these sins, but something happened to change their state or condition before God. Paul uses three terms to describe what was done for them. They were washed, sanctified, and justified.

Washed

The word "washed" is translated from the Greek word apolouo, which means "to wash thoroughly," "to wash off or away." Sin is such that it contaminates man and makes him unacceptable before God. David, realizing the guilt of his sin, asked that God cleanse him. "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin" (Psalms 51:2). The blood of Jesus Christ is the only thing that has the power to cleanse us of our sins. "And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood" (Revelation 1:5). Having been cleansed from our sins, we can stand whole and pure in the sight of God.

These Corinthians had been guilty of vile sins, but these sins were washed away when they rendered obedience to the gospel. "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5).

Sanctified

The word "sanctified" comes from the Greek word hagiazo. Thayer says that this word means "to separate from things profane and dedicate to God, to consecrate." To be sanctified means to be set apart unto God. While God loves all men, Christians are set apart as God's special people. "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy" (I Peter 2:9-10).

First Corinthians is addressed "to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:2). The word "church" is translated from the Greek word ekklesia, which means "called out." The word "sanctified" means to set apart or consecrate. Although they had been great sinners, these Corinthians were called out of their sins, purified, and now had an identity as God's special people.

Justified

The word "justified" is translated from the Greek word dikaioo, which means to render or pronounce one as being right or just. This term indicates that God did not ignore His law when He forgave the Corinthians of their sins. Instead, God provided a way for the penalty for sin to be satisfied in the death of His Son, and was able to legally pronounce believers as being "not guilty" or "innocent of all charges."

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:23-26).

These Corinthians continued to live in a sinful environment, and their former sins would be a continual source of temptation. However, Paul was giving them many good reasons to resist these temptations. For one, they knew that if they returned to these sins, they would not inherit the kingdom of God. Second, they needed to remember the nature of these sins and how opposed they are to God's holiness. Third, they needed to remember that they had once engaged in these sins, but they were now the people of God. They had been guilty of sin, but God had pronounced them innocent of all charges. Having been washed in the blood of Christ, they were God's special people set apart for His purpose.

We live in a sinful environment. The world continues to allure us to forsake the paths of righteousness and enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. Like the Corinthians, we must remember who we are. We have been washed, sanctified, and justified. We are not free to enjoy the sins of this world.

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived."

References:

• Reese, Gareth L., I Corinthians, Moberly, Missouri, Scripture Exposition Books, 2004
• Thayer, Joseph H., Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Peabody, Massachusetts, 1996
• Webster's New World Dictionary, Second College Edition, New York, New York, Simon & Schuster, 1980