1 Corinthians 6:20
for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Corinthians 6:20
for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Notice that "bought with a price" isn't just about redemption; it’s about ownership! Because Jesus paid for you, your body isn't your own anymore – it belongs to God. This profound truth is the very reason you're called to honor Him with your physical being, not out of obligation, but out of recognizing His ultimate claim.
Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's struggles with sexual immorality and disputes between believers. He has just urged them to settle their disagreements internally rather than going to pagan courts, reminding them that they will one day judge the world and even angels. This verse serves as a powerful motivation for living a life that honors God with their bodies, because they are no longer their own but have been redeemed by Christ's sacrifice.
Ever wondered about the true cost of your freedom? Paul drops a profound statement here about your body being 'bought.' What does that even mean, and who made the purchase?
Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that they are not their own. They were purchased at an immense cost – the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This isn't a transaction in a marketplace, but a profound act of divine love and redemption.
No Longer Your Own
Think about it: before Christ, we were slaves to sin. But Jesus stepped in, paid the penalty for our sin, and bought us out of that bondage. This means our lives, and specifically our bodies, now belong to God.
A Price Tag of Love
The 'price' was nothing less than the blood of Jesus. It's a staggering reminder of how valuable we are to God and the depth of His commitment to rescue us.
So, if your body belongs to God, what's the purpose? It's not just about what you do, but who you honor with your physical existence.
The second half of the verse is the practical outworking of the first: 'So glorify God in your body.' This isn't just about grand, public acts of worship. It’s about letting your entire physical being – your actions, your choices, even your very presence – point to God's goodness and power.
A Living Temple
Paul previously established that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). Glorifying God means living in a way that honors the indwelling Spirit. This impacts everything from the food we eat, the entertainment we consume, the relationships we pursue, and how we treat others.
Practical Worship
Every aspect of our physical life becomes an opportunity for worship. When we use our bodies for God's purposes – to serve others, to resist temptation, to witness to His love – we are actively glorifying Him. It means intentionally living out our faith in the physical world.
Understand the original words
agorazō · Greek Verb
To acquire property or a person through the payment of a price. Theologically, it describes the act of Christ purchasing believers out of slavery to sin and into the possession of God.
doxazō · Greek Verb
The manifestation of God's character, honor, and majesty. To do this with one's life is to live in such a way that God's goodness and holiness are made visible to the world.
Paul's powerful statement uses the common, stark reality of slave markets and the concept of redemption in the 1st-century Roman world to impress upon believers that their very bodies belong to Christ, having been purchased by His sacrifice.
c. AD 50-52
Paul Founds Corinthian Church
The Apostle Paul spends about 18 months in Corinth, establishing the church and teaching the foundational principles of Christian faith and practice.
c. AD 53-57
Paul Writes from Ephesus
While in Ephesus, Paul hears reports of divisions and serious problems within the Corinthian church, prompting him to write letters to address these issues.
c. AD 55— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
This letter, 1 Corinthians, is written to correct misunderstandings, address immorality, and guide the church in living out their new identity in Christ.
1st Century AD
Roman Slave Market
Slavery was a pervasive reality in the Roman Empire, with slaves bought and sold in public markets, often for significant sums of money.
This passage echoes the idea that believers were redeemed not with temporary things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, highlighting the immense value of our salvation and the call to live holy lives as a result.
Romans 12:1-2Paul urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is a spiritual act of worship. This connects directly to glorifying God with our bodies, seeing our whole lives as an act of service.
1 Corinthians 7:23This verse also states, 'You were bought at a price; do not become slaves to men.' It reinforces the idea of Christ's exclusive ownership over us, urging us to live in freedom from other masters and to honor the One who purchased us.
Galatians 3:13This passage explains that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, emphasizing the profound sacrifice made to set us free and call us to a new way of living.
Notice that "bought with a price" isn't just about redemption; it’s about ownership! Because Jesus paid for you, your body isn't your own anymore – it belongs to God. This profound truth is the very reason you're called to honor Him with your physical being, not out of obligation, but out of recognizing His ultimate claim.
Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's struggles with sexual immorality and disputes between believers. He has just urged them to settle their disagreements internally rather than going to pagan courts, reminding them that they will one day judge the world and even angels. This verse serves as a powerful motivation for living a life that honors God with their bodies, because they are no longer their own but have been redeemed by Christ's sacrifice.
Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's struggles with sexual immorality and disputes between believers. He has just urged them to settle their disagreements internally rather than going to pagan courts, reminding them that they will one day judge the world and even angels. This verse serves as a powerful motivation for living a life that honors God with their bodies, because they are no longer their own but have been redeemed by Christ's sacrifice.
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1st Century AD
Concept of Redemption
The idea of being 'bought' or 'redeemed' was well understood, particularly in relation to freeing slaves or ransoming captives.
"for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." — Notice that "bought with a price" isn't just about redemption; it’s about ownership! Because Jesus paid for you, your body isn't your own anymore – it belongs to God. This profound truth is the very…