1 Corinthians 6:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Unlike food, which is passing, the body is made for the Lord, and the Lord cares for the body.
What Does 1 Corinthians 6:13 Mean?
Paul takes up another Corinthian saying that treated bodily appetites as morally indifferent, like the simple pairing of food and stomach. He agrees those things are temporary, but then draws a sharp distinction: the body is not in the same category.
The argument honors the body as something God intends for Himself, not for sexual immorality. The phrase 'the Lord for the body' is striking, for it means Christ Himself is committed to our physical selves. The body is not a disposable shell but part of who we are before God, destined for resurrection. What we do with it is therefore not trivial; it belongs to the Lord who made it and will raise it.
1 Corinthians 6:13 in the Original Language
porneia (πορνεία), 'fornication' -- sexual immorality of any kind outside the marriage of a man and woman.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 6:13
What does 1 Corinthians 6:13 mean?
Unlike food, which is passing, the body is made for the Lord, and the Lord cares for the body.