1 Corinthians 6:10 kjv
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:10 nkjv
nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:10 niv
nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:10 esv
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:10 nlt
or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people ? none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 6:9 | ...nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit... | Exclusion from Kingdom |
| Galatians 5:19-21 | Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. | Works of the flesh |
| Ephesians 5:5-6 | For you may be sure of this, that whoever is immoral or impure or covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. | Warning against immorality |
| Revelation 21:8 | But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. | Second death and impurity |
| Proverbs 20:1 | Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. | Warning against drunkenness |
| Ephesians 5:18 | And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. | Contrasting drunkenness/Spirit |
| Romans 1:29-32 | ...full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. | Lists of sins |
| Matthew 6:24 | No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. | Covetousness and servitude |
| 1 Timothy 6:10 | For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. | Love of money |
| Revelation 22:15 | Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood! | Final exclusion |
| Mark 7:21-23 | For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person. | Internal source of sin |
| 1 Corinthians 5:11 | But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother, if he is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. With such a one no, not even to eat. | Associating with unrepentant |
| Proverbs 28:9 | If one turns a deaf ear to the instruction, even his prayer is an abomination. | Unheeded instruction |
| 2 Peter 2:14 | They have eyes full of adultery, and they never cease from sin, luring unstable souls into their snares. They have hearts trained in greed. | Greed and adulterous eyes |
| 1 Timothy 3:3 | no drunkard, no violent man, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. | Qualifications for leaders |
| Ephesians 4:19 | They, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, remaining proficient in every uncleanness and greed. | Callousness to uncleanness |
| 1 Peter 4:3 | Let the time past suffice for you to have done what the Gentiles are willing to do, and to have wallowed in licentiousness, in passions, in drunken orgies, in revelries, and in unlawful drinking, and in abominable idolatries. | Gentile former ways |
| Psalm 10:3 | For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the swindler blesses and renounces the LORD. | Wicked boastfulness |
| Romans 13:13 | Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. | Walking properly |
| James 4:4 | You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. | Friendship with the world |
| Colossians 3:5-6 | Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. | Putting to death earthly desires |
| Titus 1:7 | For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. No pugnacious, no quick-tempered, no drunkard, no violence, no seeking shameful gain. | Qualifications for overseers |
1 Corinthians 6 verses
1 Corinthians 6 10 Meaning
This verse enumerates certain sins that exclude individuals from the Kingdom of God. It signifies that these behaviors, when practiced unrepented, will prevent one from inheriting the divine realm. It emphasizes the stark consequence of persistent unrighteousness on eternal destiny.
1 Corinthians 6 10 Context
First Corinthians chapter 6 addresses several issues plaguing the Corinthian church, including lawsuits between believers, sexual immorality, and the relationship between the body and spiritual life. The passage preceding verse 10 (verses 1-8) discusses lawsuits and worldly matters being judged by the church. Verse 9 transitions into a broader discussion about sins that will disqualify individuals from inheriting the Kingdom of God. Verse 10, therefore, serves as a continuation of this serious warning, listing specific categories of sinful practices. It’s in the context of discussing the proper use of one's body and living a life of righteousness that reflects God’s holiness, differentiating them from their former pagan practices.
1 Corinthians 6 10 Word Analysis
- οὔτε (outē): This is a particle meaning "neither." It's used in a negative correlative structure, meaning "neither... nor..." emphasizing a thorough exclusion by listing distinct prohibitions.
- πόρνοι (porn'oi): This is the plural masculine nominative of pornos. It refers to sexually immoral persons, encompassing fornication, adultery, incest, and potentially prostitution or other deviant sexual acts. The term broadly covers any illicit sexual union outside of heterosexual marriage as defined by God's law. This term points to a society where such practices were rampant.
- εἰδωλολάτραι (eidōlolatrai): This is the plural masculine nominative of eidōlolatros. It means "idolaters," those who worship idols or false gods. This includes engaging in practices associated with pagan cults which often involved immoral rituals, thus connecting idolatry directly with other mentioned sins. In the Roman and Greek world, idolatry was pervasive, often intertwined with state religion and civic life, making it difficult for Christians to navigate.
- μοιχoὶ (moichoi): This is the plural masculine nominative of moichos. It means "adulterers," referring specifically to those who engage in sexual intercourse with someone other than their spouse. Adultery was a serious sin in Jewish law and remained so for Christians.
- μαλακοὶ (malakoi): This is the plural masculine nominative of malakos. It literally means "soft." In this context, it has several possible interpretations, often understood as referring to effeminate men or homosexual offenders (especially the passive partner), or those who are excessively luxurious and sensual. The LXX uses this term for men who were effeminate. It signifies a lack of masculine robustness or virtue in character, and an indulgence in sensuality.
- ἀρσενοκοῖται (arsenokoitai): This is the plural masculine nominative of arsenokoites. It translates to "men who lie with men" or "homosexual offenders." This term is used twice in the New Testament (here and in 1 Timothy 1:10) and is understood to specifically refer to the active practice of homosexual relations. This term, along with malakos, specifically addresses sexual perversions, likely in contrast to the diverse sexual sins prevalent in Corinth. The presence of such specific terms indicates a clear stance against certain sexual behaviors that were normalized in the Hellenistic world.
- κλέπται (kleptai): This is the plural masculine nominative of kleptes. It means "thieves," those who steal. This indicates a prohibition against dishonest acquisition of property.
- πλεονέκται (pleonektai): This is the plural masculine nominative of pleonektes. It means "covetous," "greedy," or "avaricious persons." This describes someone who desires more than what is due to them, often by unfair means. It signifies a heart enslaved by materialism and an insatiable desire for possessions, which the Apostle Paul links elsewhere to idolatry (Colossians 3:5).
- μέθυσοι (methusoi): This is the plural masculine nominative of methusos. It means "drunkards," referring to those who habitually get drunk. It points to excessive consumption of intoxicating substances, leading to loss of self-control and hindering spiritual discipline.
- λοιδοροι (loidōroi): This is the plural masculine nominative of loidōros. It means "revilers," "slanderers," or "verbal abusers." This speaks to the destructive use of the tongue, characterized by abusive language, insults, and defamation of character.
- ἅρπαγες (harpages): This is the plural masculine nominative of harpax. It means "extortioners," "robbers," or "plunderers." This refers to those who seize or obtain possessions by force, violence, or deceitful means, similar to thieves but often implying more aggressive or fraudulent methods.
Group analysis: The sins are broadly categorized: sexual immorality (porn'oi, moichoi, malakoi, arsenokoitai), greed/dishonesty (kleptai, pleonektai, harpanges), and vice/character flaws (methusoi, loidōroi). This listing is not exhaustive but represents grave, prevalent sins that marked pagan society and could infiltrate the church.
1 Corinthians 6 10 Bonus Section
The list provided in 1 Corinthians 6:10 is a serious warning and reflects a concern for the ethical conduct expected of members within the covenant community. These sins were notably associated with the ungodly societies surrounding the early Christians. For instance, the rampant sexual immorality and idolatry tied to pagan temples and festivals in Corinth would have been a constant challenge. The emphasis on "not coveting" (pleonektai) connects to the tenth commandment and also to the danger of a materialistic worldview. The inclusion of malakoi and arsenokoitai specifically addresses sexual perversions, highlighting a distinct departure from God's design for sexuality as ordained in Genesis and clarified by Christ. The intent is not to declare the saved as perfect, but to affirm that true saving faith results in a life that repents from and fights against such persistent, characteristic sin patterns. The inclusion of thieves and extortioners points to economic righteousness. This aligns with prophetic calls for justice and ethical dealings throughout Scripture, seen from Old Testament laws to Jesus' teachings on wealth and honesty. The presence of these behavioral standards is a critical aspect of demonstrating that one is genuinely "in Christ," marked by a changed life and allegiance.
1 Corinthians 6 10 Commentary
The verse starkly warns that unrepentant participation in specific, grievous sins will result in exclusion from the Kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul is not suggesting that believers never sin, but rather that those who continually practice these behaviors, without seeking repentance and God's grace, will not inherit the kingdom. The context highlights the transformation that occurs in salvation, where believers are washed, sanctified, and justified (1 Cor 6:11), leading to a life that departs from such destructive practices. It underscores that outward behavior reflects the inner state and the dominion one has surrendered to. It calls for discernment between fleshly desires, prevalent in the Gentile world the Corinthians came from, and the new life in Christ.
Practical usage: Believers are called to self-examination, to identify and confess such sins, seeking forgiveness and the power of the Holy Spirit to live a life of holiness that honors God and bears witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. This verse encourages diligence in pursuing sanctification and communal accountability within the church body.