1 Corinthians 6:12-13
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Paul starts and ends with the same bold declaration, "All things are lawful for me," but notice the shift in the second half. He's not just saying "I can do anything," but he's actively choosing not to be enslaved by any of it, highlighting a crucial difference between freedom and license. True liberty isn't just about what you can do, but what you should do, and what won't end up controlling you.
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing a church struggling with divisions and moral issues, including some who believed their Christian freedom meant they could do whatever they wanted. He's reminding them that while certain Old Testament laws no longer bind them, their actions still have consequences and shouldn't lead them into sin or become masters over them. This leads into his discussion about sexual immorality and the importance of honoring God with their bodies.
Paul starts with a bold statement: 'All things are lawful.' It sounds like a license to do anything! But he immediately pulls back the reins. What's the difference between something we can do and something we should do?
Paul is addressing a common slogan in the Corinthian church, likely an oversimplified interpretation of Christian freedom. He acknowledges the truth that under Christ, many Old Testament ritual laws no longer bind believers. However, he cautions against using this freedom as a justification for harmful actions.
The second part of the verse hits even harder: 'I will not be dominated by anything.' This isn't just about avoiding harm; it's about protecting our allegiance. What does it mean to be dominated by something, and how do we prevent it?
Paul moves from the outward impact of our actions to the inward state of our hearts. Being 'dominated' means being controlled, enslaved, or ruled by something. Our ultimate allegiance belongs to Christ alone.
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Understand the original words
exestin · Greek Verb
Authorized or permissible; in a Christian context, it refers to the freedom believers have under grace, which must be balanced by love and moral responsibility.
exousiazō · Greek Verb
To be brought under the power or control of another; in a spiritual sense, it refers to becoming enslaved by habits, desires, or substances that hinder one's devotion to God.
porneia · Greek Noun
Any sexual behavior outside the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, violating God’s design for human intimacy and holiness.
sōma · Greek Noun
The physical container of the person, which is created by God, belongs to Him, and is destined for resurrection; it is not merely a vessel for worldly desires.
The Corinthian church was grappling with the freedom found in Christ within a culture that often blurred the lines of morality, leading Paul to address the practical outworking of Christian liberty.
c. AD 41-54
Claudius Expels Jews from Rome
The Roman Emperor Claudius expelled Jewish communities from Rome, potentially impacting the early Christian communities that were often intertwined with Jewish synagogues.
c. AD 50-52
Paul Founds Church in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spends significant time in Corinth establishing a church. The city was a bustling, cosmopolitan center known for its wealth, trade, and a reputation for immorality.
c. AD 55— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
Paul writes this letter from Ephesus to address various issues within the Corinthian church, including divisions, ethical concerns, and theological misunderstandings.
c. AD 57
Paul's Second Visit to Corinth
Paul makes a difficult, sorrowful visit to Corinth, which likely solidified some of the issues he addresses in his letters and prompts further correspondence.
This passage directly echoes the verse, reinforcing the idea that while many things are permissible, we should focus on what is beneficial and builds others up.
Galatians 5:1Paul calls believers to stand firm in freedom, but this verse warns against using freedom as an excuse for license, aligning with the idea that not everything that is lawful is wise or beneficial.
Romans 12:1-2This passage calls for a transformed life that goes beyond simply observing rules, urging believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices and not conform to the world, which speaks to the heart of not being dominated by lesser things.
1 Peter 2:16Peter similarly warns against using freedom as a cloak for evil, emphasizing that true freedom in Christ means living as servants of God, which directly relates to Paul's concern about being dominated by anything.
Paul starts and ends with the same bold declaration, "All things are lawful for me," but notice the shift in the second half. He's not just saying "I can do anything," but he's actively choosing not to be enslaved by any of it, highlighting a crucial difference between freedom and license. True liberty isn't just about what you can do, but what you should do, and what won't end up controlling you.
Paul is addressing a church struggling with divisions and moral issues, including some who believed their Christian freedom meant they could do whatever they wanted. He's reminding them that while certain Old Testament laws no longer bind them, their actions still have consequences and shouldn't lead them into sin or become masters over them. This leads into his discussion about sexual immorality and the importance of honoring God with their bodies.
Paul is addressing a church struggling with divisions and moral issues, including some who believed their Christian freedom meant they could do whatever they wanted. He's reminding them that while certain Old Testament laws no longer bind them, their actions still have consequences and shouldn't lead them into sin or become masters over them. This leads into his discussion about sexual immorality and the importance of honoring God with their bodies.
"“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other.…" — Paul starts and ends with the same bold declaration, "All things are lawful for me," but notice the shift in the second half. He's not just saying "I can do anything," but he's actively choosing *n…
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Last reviewed October 2026
