What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 6:10? Nor thieves “Let him who steals steal no longer; rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good” (Ephesians 4:28). Scripture flatly condemns theft, whether petty or grand. In God’s economy: • Every good gift is from His hand (James 1:17), so taking what He entrusted to another is an attack on His provision. • The eighth commandment—“You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15)—sets a timeless moral boundary. • Zacchaeus models true repentance: he restored fourfold and gave to the poor (Luke 19:8–9). Genuine faith replaces grabbing hands with giving hearts. Nor the greedy Jesus warns, “Watch out and guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). Greed deifies stuff and dethrones God. Consider: • Colossians 3:5 calls greed “idolatry,” tying it to false worship. • 1 Timothy 6:10 notes that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” luring many into ruin. • Contentment (Hebrews 13:5) and generosity (2 Corinthians 9:7) mark the heart freed from covetous desire. Nor drunkards “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion” (Ephesians 5:18). Alcohol isn’t evil, but intoxication enslaves body and soul. Note: • Proverbs 23:29–35 paints the misery of the drinker’s cycle—woe, strife, wounds, delirium. • Drunkenness dulls spiritual alertness (1 Peter 5:8) and hinders prayer (1 Peter 4:7). • The Spirit offers the better filling—power, clarity, self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). Nor verbal abusers “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up” (Ephesians 4:29). Words can heal or destroy: • Jesus links speech to the heart’s overflow (Matthew 12:34–37). • Slander, cursing, and belittling contradict love’s call to honor others (James 3:9–10). • Wise tongues refresh like life-giving water (Proverbs 18:21; 10:11). Nor swindlers Dishonest gain sneaks under many guises—false weights, fraudulent deals, exploitative contracts. God says, “A false balance is an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 11:1). • Micah 6:11 indicts merchants with “dishonest scales.” • John the Baptist told tax collectors, “Collect no more than you are authorized” (Luke 3:13). • Integrity, fairness, and transparency flow from loving one’s neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:35–36; Matthew 7:12). Will inherit the kingdom of God The phrase underscores eternal stakes. Galatians 5:21 and Ephesians 5:5 echo the warning: habitual, unrepentant sin bars entry into Christ’s kingdom. Key truths: • Salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), yet saving faith produces new life that turns from these practices (2 Corinthians 5:17). • 1 Corinthians 6:11 immediately adds, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed…sanctified…justified.” God’s power releases captives and re-creates hearts. • Ongoing repentance and Spirit-enabled obedience give assurance of inheritance (Romans 8:13–17). summary 1 Corinthians 6:10 lists behaviors that, if embraced and unrepented, reveal a heart outside Christ’s rule. Theft, greed, drunkenness, abusive speech, and fraud spring from self-worship and deny God’s rightful authority. Believers are called to renounce these patterns, receive cleansing through the cross, and live as heirs of the kingdom—marked by honesty, generosity, sobriety, gracious words, and integrity. |
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