What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 6:9? Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Paul opens with a wake-up call. He assumes believers understand a simple, literal truth: an unrepentant life of sin bars a person from God’s eternal kingdom. • The “kingdom of God” refers not only to Christ’s future reign (Matthew 25:34) but also to the present realm where Jesus rules hearts (Colossians 1:13). • “Wicked” (those practicing unrighteousness) contrasts with the righteous made new in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Cross references: Ephesians 5:5 warns that “no immoral, impure, or greedy person… has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 lists similar sins and repeats, “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Revelation 21:8 shows their final exclusion in vivid terms. Do not be deceived: Self-deception and cultural lies can dull conviction, so Paul sounds the alarm. • Deception can come from false teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3), from the world’s shifting morals (Isaiah 5:20), or from our own hearts (Jeremiah 17:9). • Genuine love warns honestly (James 5:19-20). Cross references: James 1:22 urges, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Hebrews 3:13 adds that sin’s deceit is “hardened by its deceitfulness.” Neither the sexually immoral, The term covers every sexual act outside the covenant of marriage between one man and one woman. • Fornication before marriage, casual hookups, pornography, prostitution—Paul includes all of it. • God’s design protects holiness and human flourishing (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4). Cross references: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 commands believers to “abstain from sexual immorality.” Ephesians 5:3 says such things “must not even be hinted among you.” nor idolaters, Idolatry is giving ultimate allegiance, affection, or trust to anything other than the living God. • Ancient Corinth had literal idols; today’s idols can be success, pleasure, technology, or even self. • Idolatry dethrones God and enslaves the heart (Jonah 2:8). Cross references: Exodus 20:3-5 forbids carved images; 1 John 5:21 pleads, “Keep yourselves from idols.” Colossians 3:5 equates greed with idolatry. nor adulterers, Adultery violates the marriage covenant and damages picture of Christ’s faithfulness to His Bride. • It includes both physical and, as Jesus taught, heart-level betrayal (Matthew 5:27-28). • God’s standard calls husbands and wives to lifelong loyalty (Malachi 2:14-16). Cross references: Exodus 20:14, “You shall not commit adultery.” Hebrews 13:4 states, “God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.” nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, Paul names both passive and active partners in male-male intercourse, condemning the practice without ambiguity. • Scripture consistently views homosexual behavior as sin (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Timothy 1:10). • The gospel offers the same hope and transformation to those tempted in this area as to all sinners (1 Corinthians 6:11). Cross references: Jude 1:7 cites Sodom’s example, warning against “sexual immorality and perversion.” summary 1 Corinthians 6:9 presents a sober list, not to single out sins for condemnation alone, but to underline an unchanging truth: habitual, unrepentant sin—whether sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, or homosexual practice—keeps a person from inheriting God’s kingdom. Paul’s urgency guards believers from deception and reminds us that the gospel saves us not only from sin’s penalty but also from its power. Verse 11 follows with hope: “That is what some of you were. But you were washed… you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Christ offers cleansing and new life, calling each of us to turn from every form of wickedness and walk in the freedom of His righteous kingdom. |
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