Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything"—but I will not be mastered by anything. New Living Translation You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. English Standard Version “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. Berean Standard Bible “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. Berean Literal Bible "All things are lawful to me," but not all things do profit. "All things are lawful to me," but I will not be mastered by anything. King James Bible All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. New King James Version All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. New American Standard Bible All things are permitted for me, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. NASB 1995 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. NASB 1977 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. Legacy Standard Bible All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. Amplified Bible Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me]. Christian Standard Bible “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. Holman Christian Standard Bible Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be brought under the control of anything. “ American Standard Version All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any. Contemporary English Version Some of you say, "We can do anything we want to." But I tell you not everything is good for us. So I refuse to let anything have power over me. English Revised Version All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any. GOD'S WORD® Translation Someone may say, "I'm allowed to do anything," but not everything is helpful. I'm allowed to do anything, but I won't allow anything to gain control over my life. Good News Translation Someone will say, "I am allowed to do anything." Yes; but not everything is good for you. I could say that I am allowed to do anything, but I am not going to let anything make me its slave. International Standard Version Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is helpful. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not allow anything to control me. Majority Standard Bible ?Everything is permissible for me,? but not everything is beneficial. ?Everything is permissible for me,? but I will not be mastered by anything. NET Bible "All things are lawful for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "All things are lawful for me"--but I will not be controlled by anything. New Heart English Bible "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are expedient. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be brought under the power of anything. Webster's Bible Translation All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Weymouth New Testament Everything is allowable to me, but not everything is profitable. Everything is allowable to me, but to nothing will I become a slave. World English Bible “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are expedient. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be brought under the power of anything. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAll things are lawful to me, but all things are not profitable; all things are lawful to me, but I will not be under authority by any; Berean Literal Bible "All things are lawful to me," but not all things do profit. "All things are lawful to me," but I will not be mastered by anything. Young's Literal Translation All things are lawful to me, but all things are not profitable; all things are lawful to me, but I -- I will not be under authority by any; Smith's Literal Translation All things are lawful to me, but all are not profitable: all are lawful to me, but I will not be exercised by power under any. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAll things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful to me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Catholic Public Domain Version All is lawful to me, but not all is expedient. All is lawful to me, but I will not be driven back by the authority of anyone. New American Bible “Everything is lawful for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful for me,” but I will not let myself be dominated by anything. New Revised Standard Version “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAll things are lawful for me, but all things are not advisable for me: indeed all things are lawful for me but I will not be brought under the power of any. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Everything is legal for me, but not everything is useful for me. Everything is legal for me, but no man will have dominion over me. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAll meats are lawful for me: but all are not profitable. All are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under subjection by any. Godbey New Testament All things are lawful to me, but all things are not profitable: all things are lawful, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Haweis New Testament All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not put myself under the power of any. Mace New Testament Are all things lawful for me? however, all things are not expedient: are all things lawful for me? however, I will not be a slave to any. Weymouth New Testament Everything is allowable to me, but not everything is profitable. Everything is allowable to me, but to nothing will I become a slave. Worrell New Testament All things are lawful for me; but all are not profitable. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the control of any. Worsley New Testament All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be under the power of any: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Members of Christ11And that is what some of you were. 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. 12“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. 13“Food for the stomach and the stomach for food,” but God will destroy them both. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.… Cross References Galatians 5:13 For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. Romans 14:14-23 I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. / If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died. / Do not allow what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil. ... 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying. / No one should seek his own good, but the good of others. Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. Romans 6:15-18 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not! / Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? / But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. ... 1 Peter 2:16 Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Romans 8:2 For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. 2 Peter 2:19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. John 8:34-36 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. / A slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever. / So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Galatians 5:16-17 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. Romans 7:15-25 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. / And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good. / In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ... Matthew 5:29-30 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. / And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to depart into hell. James 1:25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does. 1 John 3:4-6 Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness. / But you know that Christ appeared to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. / No one who remains in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has seen Him or known Him. Proverbs 25:16 If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up. Treasury of Scripture All things are lawful to me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. things are lawful. 1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. are not. 1 Corinthians 8:4,7-13 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one… 1 Corinthians 9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:24-33 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth… but I. 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. Hebrews 12:15,16 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; … Jump to Previous Allowable Authority Beneficial Enslaved Expedient Free Helpful Lawful Mastered Permissible Power Profit Profitable Slave WiseJump to Next Allowable Authority Beneficial Enslaved Expedient Free Helpful Lawful Mastered Permissible Power Profit Profitable Slave Wise1 Corinthians 6 1. The Corinthians must take their brothers to court;6. especially under infidels. 9. The wicked shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 15. Our bodies are the members of Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit: 19. they must not therefore be defiled. “Everything is permissible for me,” This phrase reflects a common saying among the Corinthians, possibly used to justify their actions. Paul acknowledges their claim but seeks to correct their understanding. The context is the Corinthian church, which was influenced by Greek culture, known for its philosophical ideas about freedom and the body. The phrase may have been used to justify behaviors that were not in line with Christian teachings. Paul emphasizes that Christian freedom is not a license to sin. This echoes Galatians 5:13, where Paul warns against using freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth with guidance on Christian living and moral conduct. 2. Corinth A major city in ancient Greece known for its wealth and moral decadence, where the early church faced challenges in maintaining Christian ethics amidst a permissive culture. 3. Corinthian Church The recipients of Paul's letter, struggling with issues of immorality, idolatry, and divisions within the church. Teaching Points Understanding Christian LibertyWhile believers have freedom in Christ, this liberty should not be an excuse for sinful behavior. True freedom is found in living a life that honors God. Discernment in Decision-Making Not everything permissible is beneficial. Christians are called to exercise discernment, choosing actions that build up themselves and others spiritually. Avoiding Enslavement Believers must be vigilant not to be mastered by anything, whether it be habits, desires, or cultural pressures. True mastery belongs to Christ alone. The Role of Self-Control Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and essential in ensuring that our freedoms do not lead us into bondage. Practicing self-control helps maintain spiritual health and witness. Impact on Community Our actions, though permissible, should be evaluated on how they affect the community of believers. We are called to live in a way that edifies and strengthens the body of Christ.(12) All things are lawful unto me.--This was probably a statement which the Apostle had himself made; at all events, the freedom which it expresses was very dear to him, and it may have been misused by some as an argument for universal license. St. Paul, therefore, boldly repeats it, and proceeds to show that it is a maxim of Christian liberty, which does not refer to matters which are absolutely wrong, and that even in its application to indifferent matters it must be limited, and guarded by other Christian principles. "The eating of things sacrificed to idols (see Note on 1Corinthians 8:4), and the committing fornication," were two subjects of discussion closely connected with heathen worship; and it may seem astonishing to us now that because St. Paul had maintained the right of individual liberty concerning the former, he should perhaps have been quoted as an authority for liberty regarding the latter, yet it is a matter of fact that such a mode of reasoning was not uncommon. They were both regarded as part and parcel of heathen worship, and therefore, as it were, to stand or fall together, as being matters vital or indifferent. (See Acts 15:29, and Revelation 11:14, as illustrations of the union of the two for purposes respectively of condemnation and of improper toleration.) We must not regard the use of the singular "me" as being in any sense a limitation of the principle to the Apostle personally. "Paul often speaks in the first person singular, which has the force of a moral maxim, especially in this Epistle (1Corinthians 6:15; 1Corinthians 7:7; 1Corinthians 8:13; 1Corinthians 10:23; 1Corinthians 10:29-30; 1Corinthians 14:11)" (Bengel). The words refer to all Christians. . . . Verses 12-20. - The inexcusable sin and shame of fornication. Verse 12. - All things are lawful unto me. The abruptness with which the phrase is introduced perhaps shows that, in the letter of the Corinthians to St. Paul, they had used some such expression by way of palliating their lax tolerance of violations of the law of purity. By "all things," of course, is only meant "all things which are indifferent in themselves." They erroneously applied this maxim of Christian liberty to that which was inherently sinful, and thus were tempted to "make their liberty a cloak of viciousness." St. Paul, as Bengel observes, often, and especially in this Epistle, uses the first person generally in gnomic or semi-proverbial sentences (1 Corinthians 6:15; 1 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Corinthians 10:23, 29, 30; 1 Corinthians 14:11). But. This is St. Paul's correction of too broad a formula. Are not expedient. St. Paul illustrates this in 1 Corinthians 8:8-10. We have no right to do even that which is innocent, if it be disadvantageous to the highest interests of ourselves or others. "He alone," says St. Augustine, "does not fall into unlawful things who sometimes abstains by way of caution even from lawful ones." Will not be brought under the power. The play of words in the original might be imitated by saying, "All things are in my power, but I will not be brought under the power of any." In other words, "boundless intemperance" may become a tyranny. The pretence of moral freedom may end in a moral bondage. "Obedience is better than freedom? What's free? Greek “EverythingΠάντα (Panta) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. is permissible ἔξεστιν (exestin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1832: It is permitted, lawful, possible. for me,” μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. but ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. not οὐ (ou) Adverb Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. everything πάντα (panta) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. is beneficial. συμφέρει (sympherei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4851: From sun and phero; to bear together, i.e. to collect, or to conduce; especially advantage. “Everything Πάντα (Panta) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. is permissible ἔξεστιν (exestin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1832: It is permitted, lawful, possible. for me,” μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. but ἀλλ’ (all’) Conjunction Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. will not be mastered ἐξουσιασθήσομαι (exousiasthēsomai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 1st Person Singular Strong's 1850: To exercise (wield) power (authority), pass: To be ruled, be held under authority. From exousia; to control. by ὑπό (hypo) Preposition Strong's 5259: A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). anything. τινος (tinos) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Singular Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. Links 1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV1 Corinthians 6:12 NLT 1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV 1 Corinthians 6:12 NASB 1 Corinthians 6:12 KJV 1 Corinthians 6:12 BibleApps.com 1 Corinthians 6:12 Biblia Paralela 1 Corinthians 6:12 Chinese Bible 1 Corinthians 6:12 French Bible 1 Corinthians 6:12 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) |
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