Free Bible Commentary
“1 Corinthians 6:9-11”
Categories: 1 Corinthians“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
---End of Scripture verses---
This is the third time that Paul asked in chapter six, “Do you not know?” (verse 9). Paul was telling them things that should not have been foreign concepts to them. This is especially true with today’s subject matter. It should be evident to us that “the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God.” But unfortunately many people have been “deceived” into thinking that they can engage in any number of “unrighteous” activities and still be pleasing and acceptable to God.
In our culture today, fornication is called a natural act between two consenting adults. A “drunkard” or alcoholism is called an illness, and an incurable one at that. Homosexuality is referred to as simply a “sexual orientation” or a “lifestyle choice”. But God calls all these things unrighteousness and sinfulness and things that will keep the people who practice them out of heaven.
There is a lengthy list of transgressions recorded here, and we must not be deceived into thinking that we can choose to keep our “favorite sin” and still inherit all the blessings that God has in store for those who dwell in His kingdom. When we refuse to repent of our sins after we have been saved, we will lose our salvation and forfeit the eternal inheritance that is promised all those who live a truly “sanctified” life (verse 11).
But there is great hope in this passage as well as stark warning. Paul wrote in verse 11 that, “Such WERE some of you…” Those who are swindlers can chose to steal no more (Ephesians 4:28). The drunkard, with the help of God Almighty, can give up his drug of choice and lead a “clean” life. The homosexual can chose to no longer live that lifestyle, even if the temptation remains present with him. The fornicator can learn to “possess his own vessel” (1 Thessalonians 4:4).
Once again, I am reminded of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” If we are determined to defeat sin, God will not leave us alone in that battle. In Philippians 2:12, Paul says to “work out your own salvation.” But in the very next verse he assures us that, “It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). God won’t allow us to lose the battle if we are fighting the good fight with all of our might!
Have you been “washed”, “sanctified” and “justified” in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (verse 11)? When you are baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, that is your entrance into the kingdom of God (Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21). That is when you are “sanctified,” or set apart as a holy instrument for the service of God (Romans 6:12-13). That is when you are “justified,” or proclaimed “righteous” through the blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6).
But even baptism must be preceded by true repentance (Acts 2:38). And if we refuse to repent from any sin after the point of our “conversion,” that is a cause for “humiliation” and “mourning” (2 Corinthians 12:21). Let’s not allow anyone to deceive us, especially our own self. Eternity is too long and no earthly pleasure is worth giving heaven up for.
Just as a side note, we noted from chapter 4 verse 20 that the kingdom is a present thing, but we learn from verse 9 that it is also a future thing as well. We will fully “inherit” all the spiritual blessing with a full spiritual eternal existence in the kingdom of God when we are delivered up with it to the Father in heaven (1 Corinthians 15:24; 2 Peter 1:11).
Please read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 for tomorrow.
Please come worship God with is in spirit and in truth today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ.
3741 Taylorsville Road. 9:30 AM Bible class. 10:30 AM worship period. 5:00 PM worship period.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
