The Body’s Real Purpose

Context from 1 Corinthians

In recent chapters of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses sins within the church at Corinth. In chapter 5, an individual had a sexual relationship with his father's wife—a fornication even unbelievers would reject. Paul instructs that such a person, showing no evidence of saving grace, should be put outside the church for the destruction of their flesh so their spirit may be saved.

He then addresses church members suing each other over trivial disputes, taking them to secular courts instead of seeking wisdom within the church. This fails to glorify God. Paul lists the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who practice homosexuality, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers as those who will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Now, Paul focuses on sexual immorality to teach that all things have a purpose, and we must pursue their intended function as outlined in Scripture—God's owner's manual for life.

Three Arguments for Pursuing God's Design

Paul provides three convincing arguments for God-honoring behavior, especially in romantic relationships. These principles apply broadly, even beyond sexual sin.

1. Pursue Profitability and Avoid Domination (1 Corinthians 6:12-13)

"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 Corinthians claimed, "All things are lawful," justifying grave sins like the one in chapter 5. Paul quotes them and counters: not all things are profitable. Even lawful things can harm spirituality if they miss their purpose.

He refuses domination, controlling his body and behaviors. Things have design and intention, not random chaos. Food fuels the stomach for sustenance, not domination through pleasure. Seeking comfort or satisfaction in food—what should come from God—enslaves us. The same applies to drink or any pleasure: if removing it sparks defensiveness, it dominates.

These are temporary: God will destroy stomach and food. Pursuing fleeting pleasure is futile.

2. Avoid Degrading Acts: Members of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15-17)

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two will become one flesh." But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

Your bodies are members of Christ—like fingers, hands, arms. Uniting them with a prostitute (anyone open to sexual promiscuity) degrades Christ. We are spiritually united to Him; fornication creates a illicit union.

This reveals poor Christology and low view of fellow believers. Fornication encompasses any sexual act outside marriage between one man and one woman. It is not "testing waters"—if Christ means anything, you will not unite His members to a prostitute.

Assume no temptation in "good Christian" relationships does youth a disservice. The best place for romantic relationships is total accountability—public commitment to purity. In 1 Corinthians 7, engaged couples are not called "boyfriend/girlfriend" but referenced as virgins, publicly declaring purity. Virginity is precious, a devotion to purity—not sneered at by the world.

3. Flee Sexual Immorality: Sins Against Your Own Body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Flee—run like a coward seeking safety. Do not fight sexual sin head-on; attempting to resist ensures defeat. Run from situations tempting it. Even sprinting from temptation honors God more than "resisting" and later failing.

Why flee? Other sins are outside the body; sexual sin is against your own body because God designed humans as sexual beings—for intimacy in marriage, for your spouse's benefit (1 Corinthians 7:1, 4). You lack authority over your body without a spouse.

Sexuality is hard-coded, with an on/off switch. Sin awakens God-designed desire—you cannot repent of your design. Combined, it overwhelms. "Touch" (haptō) means to kindle fire—awaken sexual desire outside marriage. Song of Solomon warns: do not stir or awaken love until it pleases.

Abstinence before marriage is not missing out—it is gaining glorious intimacy as God intended. You were bought with Christ's blood; glorify God in your body. ```