What other scriptures reinforce the message found in 1 Corinthians 6:9? 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 — The Core Warning “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor verbal abusers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” Echoes in the Rest of Paul’s Letters • Galatians 5:19-21 — “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” • Ephesians 5:3-6 — “But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed… For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person —that is, an idolater —has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you… because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.” • Colossians 3:5-6 — “Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.” • 1 Timothy 1:8-11 — The law is laid down “for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals… and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching that conforms to the glorious gospel.” Jesus’ Own Voice in the Gospels • Matthew 5:27-30 — Even lustful thoughts are branded adultery, and radical repentance is urged lest “your whole body be thrown into hell.” • Mark 7:21-23 — “For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed… All these evils come from within and defile a man.” • Matthew 7:21-23 — “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father…” Calls to Holiness in the General Epistles • Hebrews 12:14-17 — Without holiness “no one will see the Lord”; Esau’s loss of inheritance stands as a sober warning. • 1 Peter 1:14-16 — “As obedient children… be holy in all your conduct, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” • 1 John 3:7-10 — “Let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous… the one who practices sin is of the devil.” Revelation — Final Verdicts on Sin and Inheritance • Revelation 21:8 — “But to the cowardly and unbelieving and detestable, and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.” • Revelation 22:14-15 — Only those who wash their robes may enter the city; “outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” Consistent, Unmistakable Themes • Inheritance language ties each passage to the hope of the kingdom. • Sexual immorality, idolatry, and greed repeatedly appear on the prohibited list. • Self-deception is singled out: “Do not be deceived” (1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 5:6; 1 John 3:7). • Holiness is presented not as optional but essential; the stakes are eternal. • The call is both external (behaviors) and internal (thoughts, motives), underscoring total devotion to Christ. |
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