1 Corinthians 6 12

1 Corinthians 6:12 kjv

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.

1 Corinthians 6:12 nkjv

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.

1 Corinthians 6:12 niv

"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.

1 Corinthians 6:12 esv

"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.

1 Corinthians 6:12 nlt

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.

1 Corinthians 6 verses

1 Corinthians 6 12 Meaning

First Corinthians 6:12 sets forth two fundamental principles concerning Christian liberty. The phrase "All things are lawful for me" likely reflects a Corinthian slogan, expressing their understanding, or perhaps misunderstanding, of their freedom in Christ. Paul affirms this freedom but immediately qualifies it with two crucial ethical considerations. First, not all permissible actions are "profitable" or beneficial for spiritual growth, the good of others, or the advancement of God's kingdom. Second, while a believer has freedom, they must not allow any of these "lawful" things to gain mastery over them, leading to spiritual enslavement or addiction. True Christian liberty means being under Christ's lordship, not subjected to created things.

1 Corinthians 6 12 Context

This verse is found within Paul's address to the Corinthian church, specifically concerning issues of sexual immorality and their misunderstanding of Christian freedom. Chapters 5 and 6 deal directly with specific moral failings, including sexual promiscuity, lawsuits between believers, and the defiling of the body, which is presented as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:18-20). The phrase "All things are lawful for me" (found also in 1 Cor 10:23) is widely understood as a slogan adopted by some Corinthians, possibly rooted in a misinterpretation of their newfound liberty in Christ, believing that being free from the Law meant absolute permission in all areas, including bodily and ethical matters. Paul does not reject the slogan outright but critically qualifies it, introducing two governing principles for true Christian freedom: what is beneficial and what maintains one's freedom from mastery. His aim is to correct their understanding of liberty as license and guide them towards living out their faith in a manner that honors God and edifies the community.

1 Corinthians 6 12 Word analysis

• All things (πάντα - panta): The word `panta` signifies "all," "everything," or "the whole." In this context, it suggests the full scope of activities or choices in life. Paul affirms that in Christ, believers are not bound by external Mosaic Law concerning every specific detail, meaning they have a general freedom. However, he immediately challenges the practical implications of such broad permission.
• are lawful (ἔξεστιν - exesti): The Greek verb `exesti` means "it is permissible," "it is proper," or "it is allowed." It denotes an external permission or legality. Paul grants that from a strict legalistic standpoint (apart from explicit commands against sin), many things are indeed permitted for the believer, emphasizing that they are no longer under the restrictive covenants of the Law.
• for me (μοι - moi): This dative pronoun points to the individual believer. It highlights the personal freedom that the Corinthians likely emphasized in their slogan.
• but not all things (ἀλλ’ οὐ πάντα - all’ ou panta): The strong adversative `all` (ἀλλ’) indicates a sharp contrast, serving as a significant correction or qualification to the previous statement. Paul acknowledges the permission but introduces an important distinction.
• are profitable (συμφέρει - sympherei): The verb `sympherei` means "it is expedient," "it is advantageous," "it is beneficial," or "it is useful." This introduces the first criterion for exercising Christian liberty: ethical consideration for edification, spiritual well-being, and the welfare of others. Not everything that is permissible serves a higher, Christ-centered purpose or brings good fruit.
• but I will not (ἀλλ’ οὐκ - all’ ouk): Another strong adversative, signaling the second crucial qualification, shifting from collective profit to individual autonomy and mastery.
• be brought under the power of any (ἐξουσιασθήσομαι - exousiasthesomai): This is a key term, meaning "to be placed under the authority of," "to be mastered by," or "to be brought into subjection to." It signifies control or enslavement. Paul warns that exercising one's freedom carelessly can lead to becoming enslaved to the very things one has the liberty to choose. True freedom in Christ means not being a slave to sin, but also not to any appetite, habit, or material thing. The verb is passive, indicating a state one allows oneself to fall into.

• "All things are lawful for me": This phrase functions as a kind of legal or moral allowance, a recognition that believers are free from burdensome external rules (not moral law itself). However, in the context of Corinthian arrogance, it may have been misused to justify self-indulgent or unloving behavior, implying that because something isn't explicitly forbidden, it's automatically right for them to do.
• "but not all things are profitable": This establishes the principle of utility and edification. Freedom must be exercised with discernment, prioritizing what is genuinely beneficial, contributes to spiritual growth, or builds up the Christian community. It's a move from legality to practical wisdom and love.
• "but I will not be brought under the power of any": This second corrective introduces the principle of self-mastery and avoiding spiritual enslavement. A believer's freedom should not become a vice that binds them. Paul highlights that true freedom isn't the ability to do anything one desires, but the power not to be controlled by anything apart from Christ.

1 Corinthians 6 12 Bonus section

The phrasing in 1 Corinthians 6:12 (and 10:23) suggests Paul is engaging in a literary device known as a "quotation-and-refutation" or "affirmation-and-qualification." He quotes what some Corinthians were saying ("All things are lawful for me") not to endorse it entirely, but to affirm its partial truth before immediately adding crucial caveats. This technique demonstrates his pastoral wisdom, not dismissing their claim outright but refining their understanding of liberty to align with divine principles of love and self-control. The immediate context of sexual immorality underscores that even in areas considered deeply personal, Christian freedom is never absolute but must be subjected to God's holiness and the wellbeing of the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 6 12 Commentary

First Corinthians 6:12 encapsulates two vital pillars of Christian ethics: utility/edification and mastery/freedom. Paul uses a known Corinthian maxim to teach profound truths. While Christians are indeed free from legalistic constraints through grace, this freedom is not a license for unrestrained action. Every permissible act must be evaluated by whether it builds up (is profitable for) the believer, other believers, and God's kingdom. Furthermore, true liberty is found in not being enslaved to anything except Christ's Lordship. This demands self-control and discerning choices that avoid habits or behaviors, even otherwise neutral ones, from gaining dominion over the spirit. The verse redirects the focus from self-gratification to edification and dependence on God.