nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Corinthians 6:10
What does 1 Corinthians 6:10 mean?
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1 Corinthians 6:10
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It's easy to read this list as a simple "don't do these things." But notice how Paul groups "greedy," "revilers," and "swindlers" right after "thieves" and "drunkards." He's showing us that behaviors like greed and deception, which might seem less outwardly destructive than theft or drunkenness, are equally serious barriers to God's kingdom.
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is listing behaviors that disqualify people from inheriting God's kingdom, following his earlier discussion about lawsuits among believers. He's emphasizing that true followers of Christ are transformed and live differently than those who remain enslaved to sin, as he goes on to explain in the following verses how some of these very people have been washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ.
Paul lists some pretty harsh behaviors here. What's the big deal? Why are these specifically called out as barring entry into God's kingdom?
Paul isn't just providing a "naughty list." He's painting a picture of lives dominated by self-interest and uncontrolled desires, which stand in direct opposition to the values of God's reign.
These behaviors aren't just bad habits; they are indicators of a heart that hasn't yet surrendered fully to God's transformative power. They reveal a life oriented away from God and towards self-serving desires.
If these behaviors exclude us, what kind of lives do reflect God's kingdom? Paul hints at this just a few verses earlier.
It's easy to stop at the "you can't inherit" part. But Paul's message in 1 Corinthians is one of radical transformation. In verses 9-11, he lists these negative behaviors, but then immediately says, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Cor 6:11).
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Understand the original words
kleptēs · Greek Noun
General terms for those who take the property of others illegally or dishonestly; biblically, it highlights the violation of the neighbor’s rights and the sin of covetousness.
pleonektēs · Greek Noun
An intense, insatiable desire for more, often at the expense of others; it is treated as a form of idolatry in Scripture because it replaces reliance on God with reliance on possessions.
methysos · Greek Noun
Loss of self-control through intoxicating substances, leading to behavior that dishonors God and hinders spiritual clarity.
loidoros · Greek Noun
Those who use speech to verbally abuse, insult, or slander others, contradicting the call for believers to speak words of grace and truth.
harpax · Greek Noun
Those who gain money or advantage through deceitful manipulation and trickery; characterized by a lack of integrity in business and relationships.
This passage lists 'works of the flesh' that are similar to the behaviors Paul warns against, also stating that 'those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.'
Ephesians 5:5Paul directly calls out greed as 'idolatry' and warns that 'no greedy person... has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God,' echoing the sentiment in 1 Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 5:11In the same letter, Paul instructs believers not to associate with those practicing immoral or greedy lifestyles, reinforcing the seriousness of these sins within the community.
Matthew 7:21-23Jesus himself warns that not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom, but the one who does the will of the Father, highlighting that outward profession isn't enough if one's life is characterized by unrepentant sin.
It's easy to read this list as a simple "don't do these things." But notice how Paul groups "greedy," "revilers," and "swindlers" right after "thieves" and "drunkards." He's showing us that behaviors like greed and deception, which might seem less outwardly destructive than theft or drunkenness, are equally serious barriers to God's kingdom.
Paul is listing behaviors that disqualify people from inheriting God's kingdom, following his earlier discussion about lawsuits among believers. He's emphasizing that true followers of Christ are transformed and live differently than those who remain enslaved to sin, as he goes on to explain in the following verses how some of these very people have been washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ.
Paul is listing behaviors that disqualify people from inheriting God's kingdom, following his earlier discussion about lawsuits among believers. He's emphasizing that true followers of Christ are transformed and live differently than those who remain enslaved to sin, as he goes on to explain in the following verses how some of these very people have been washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ.
"nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." — It's easy to read this list as a simple "don't do these things." But notice how Paul groups "greedy," "revilers," and "swindlers" right after "thieves" and "drunkards." He's showing us that behaviors…
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Last reviewed October 2026