1 Corinthians 6:12 Meaning and Explanation
“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Even what is permissible is not always beneficial, and Paul refuses to let any freedom enslave him.
What Does 1 Corinthians 6:12 Mean?
Paul appears to quote a Corinthian slogan, 'All things are lawful,' and then qualifies it twice. Christian freedom is real, but he weighs every action by whether it helps and whether it might master him rather than serve him.
The wisdom here reaches far beyond Corinth. Liberty is not the same as benefit; a thing may be allowed yet still harm the soul or grip it like a chain. Paul will not let any appetite rule him, for he belongs wholly to Christ. True freedom is not doing whatever one pleases, but being so anchored in the Lord that nothing else holds power over the heart.
1 Corinthians 6:12 in the Original Language
sumphero (συμφέρω), 'expedient' -- to be profitable or beneficial, to bring genuine good.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 6:12
What does 1 Corinthians 6:12 mean?
Even what is permissible is not always beneficial, and Paul refuses to let any freedom enslave him.