1 Corinthians 6:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul commands believers to flee sexual sin, which uniquely violates one's own body.
What Does 1 Corinthians 6:18 Mean?
Paul gives a direct command: flee. He does not say resist or negotiate but run, for sexual sin is a danger best escaped rather than faced. He then explains its peculiar character, noting that it sins against one's own body in a way other sins do not.
The urgency is pastoral, not prudish. Paul knows how deeply this sin entangles, joining body and soul to what is wrong and wounding the person at the core. Flight, not flirtation, is the path of wisdom. The body that belongs to Christ and awaits resurrection is harmed by such sin in a singular way. So Paul calls his readers to guard the gift of their bodies and run swiftly toward holiness.
1 Corinthians 6:18 in the Original Language
pheugo (φεύγω), 'flee' -- to run away from, to seek safety in flight.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 6:18
What does 1 Corinthians 6:18 mean?
Paul commands believers to flee sexual sin, which uniquely violates one's own body.