Paul Arguments Against Fornication
The apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthian Church (ch. 6), presented 6 arguments against fornication, which defile the body of the believer. These arguments would, if heeded, protect the believer from temptation.
First Argument – Man Was Created in the Image of God
Man was created in the likeness of God (Genesis 1:27), for His glory (1 Corinthians 6:20; Revelation 4:11), to reflect His character (Ephesians 4:13), and to illustrate His power (1 Peter 2:9; 4:14), Therefore the believer’s duty is to keep his body pure, that it may be a proper offering to the Lord (Romans 12:1).
Second Argument – Man Will Resurrect with a Glorified Body
God raised Christ from the dead with a glorified body. The resurrected believer will have a glorified body like His (Philippians 3:21). Seeing that the believer will be raised up by the Lord, his body will be perfectly pure and holy, like Christ’s glorified body, and this will be brought about by the strength of God. Therefore, it is not right that the body should be given over to immorality. Indulgence in licentiousness is unbecoming of the redeemed, for they belong to the pure Savior (Romans 6:1–13).
Third Argument – The Church Is the Body of Christ
The church is the body of Christ, and He is the head of the body, the individual believers being members of the body (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 4:12, 13, 15, 16; 5:30). The believers are united with Christ. As the members of the physical body are controlled and guided to carry out bodily functions by the head, so believers receive from Jesus, the spiritual head, guidance and strength to perform their Christian duties.
Because Christians are united to Christ, it is unthinkable to take the members of Christ and pollute them by immorality. Christ’s followers are bound to be pure as He is, and those who hope to meet Him at His second advent will continually strive to preserve that purity (1 John 3:3).
Could a true Christian put what belongs to Christ, and is a part of Him, one of His members, to a sinful use? Christians should not accept the low standard of the world as a standard for their lives (Philippians 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9; Hebrews 3:1). The believers are baptized “into Christ” (Galatians 3:27), and they are required to keep that sacred relationship consecrated to Him.
Fourth Argument – The Direct Effect of Sin on the Body
The more immediate effect of sins such as theft, falsehood, covetousness, is on the mind, but impurity directly affects the body itself. Although things like drunkenness and gluttony are sins done in and by the body, they are introduced from outside the body. But in committing fornication, the body is directly affected. This sin is awful because it interferes with the unity of marriage (Genesis 2:23, 24; Romans 7:2, 3), which represents the relationship between Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:25–32).
Sixth Argument – The Body Is Temple of the Holy Spirit
The body of the believer is temple of the Holy Spirit. So, it must not be polluted by this vice. This temple of the Holy Spirit is given to us by God (John 14:16, 17). Therefore every sin that is committed against our bodies is a sin against our Maker and against the Holy Spirit.
Sixth Argument – Man Belongs to God by Creation and Redemption
Man is the property of God by creation and by redemption. He does not belong to himself; he has no right to use his powers according to the lusts of the unconverted body. He should live mentally, physically, and spiritually as God wants him to live, and not to gratify the flesh. The converted man is son of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1; 6:18), who lives only to please his heavenly Father.
God evaluates humans highly and He had paid an infinite price for man’s redemption (John 3:16). This fact reveals the importance of each individual human being. Jesus would have come to the earth and given His life for one sinner (Matthew 18:12–14).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
