1 Corinthians 6:8 kjv
Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
1 Corinthians 6:8 nkjv
No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!
1 Corinthians 6:8 niv
Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.
1 Corinthians 6:8 esv
But you yourselves wrong and defraud ? even your own brothers!
1 Corinthians 6:8 nlt
Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers.
1 Corinthians 6 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 6:10 | nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers | (Lists various unrighteous acts) |
| Gal 5:19-21 | Now the works of the flesh are evident: ... quarrels, jealousy, anger, rivalries, divisions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. | (Similar enumeration of sins) |
| Eph 5:5 | For you may be sure of this, that whoever is sexually immoral or impure, or is greedy (he is an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. | (Specific mention of greed) |
| Matt 19:14 | Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. | (Kingdom contrasted with adult concerns) |
| 1 Cor 15:50 | I tell you this, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. | (Perishability and kingdom) |
| Rom 8:8 | Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. | (Life in the flesh vs. pleasing God) |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | (Holiness required for seeing the Lord) |
| Rev 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. | (Destinations of the unrighteous) |
| Prov 28:13 | Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. | (Confession and mercy) |
| Ps 50:23 | The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God! | (Right way of life) |
| Col 3:5 | Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. | (Earthly desires to be put to death) |
| 1 Tim 6:10 | For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. | (Root of evils) |
| Luke 18:17 | Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all. | (Childlike reception of kingdom) |
| 1 Peter 4:2-3 | so as to live for the rest of the time as aliens and strangers in the flesh, rather than indulging the lusts of flesh, but by the will of God. | (Living as strangers in flesh) |
| 1 John 3:10 | By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God. | (Practicing righteousness) |
| 1 Cor 11:27-29 | ...discerning the body. But he who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment to himself. | (Discerning the body/Lord's Supper) |
| Titus 2:11-12 | For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. | (Grace leading to godly living) |
| 2 Peter 3:14 | Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, strive to be found by him without spot, without blemish, and at peace. | (Being found without spot) |
| Acts 20:30-31 | ...speaking to you inwardly both of perverse things, and so I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among yourselves men will arise, speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. | (Deception within the church) |
| Eph 4:28 | Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. | (Exhortation against theft) |
1 Corinthians 6 verses
1 Corinthians 6 8 Meaning
In this verse, the Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthians regarding their ongoing participation in unrighteous behavior, particularly the exploitation and defrauding of one another within the community. He emphatically declares that such actions prevent individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God. This is not a statement that believers are eternally lost for every sin, but rather a severe warning against the persistent, unrepentant practice of wrongdoing, which fundamentally contradicts the nature of God's kingdom.
1 Corinthians 6 8 Context
This verse appears in a section of 1 Corinthians (chapters 5-7) where Paul is addressing various behavioral issues within the Corinthian church. Chapter 5 dealt with sexual immorality, and chapter 6 shifts to disputes between believers, leading into this discussion about fraud and dishonesty. The Corinthians were known for their litigation, taking their disputes to pagan courts rather than resolving them within the community. This verse serves as a stern rebuke against those who, despite being called to holiness, continue to practice such unjust behaviors as cheating and defrauding others. It underscores the seriousness with which God views righteousness and injustice, particularly within the fellowship of believers.
1 Corinthians 6 8 Word Analysis
- ἀδικεῖτε (adikeite): From the verb ἀδικέω (adikeō), meaning to do wrong, commit injustice, wrong, defraud. It signifies actively inflicting injury or unfairness upon another.
- ἀποστερεῖτε (apostereite): From the verb ἀποστερέω (apostereō), meaning to deprive, defraud, cheat, despoil. This implies taking away something unjustly that belongs to someone else.
- τὸν ἀδελφὸν (ton adelphon): "the brother." This refers to a fellow believer, a member of the Christian community. The injustice is committed against someone within the church fellowship.
- τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ (tēs basileias tou theou): "the kingdom of God." This refers to the reign of God, both in the present experience of believers and in its future consummation. It represents the sphere of God's rule and righteousness.
- καὶ οὐκ οἴδατε (kai ouk oidate): "and do not know." This suggests a profound ignorance or lack of understanding on the part of the Corinthians regarding the consequences of their actions.
- οὐ κληρονομήσουσιν (ou klēronomēsousin): "will not inherit." This future tense indicates that persistent, unrepentant involvement in such sins will ultimately bar them from the promised inheritance in God's kingdom.
Words Group Analysis:
- "wronging and defrauding your brother": This pair of verbs highlights both general injustice (doing wrong) and specific instances of illicit gain (defrauding). The use of "brother" emphasizes the violation of communal trust and the principles of love and fairness expected within the church. It's a violation of the New Testament's ethical imperative to treat fellow believers with love and respect.
- "Will not inherit the kingdom of God": This is a declarative statement about the state of those who persistently engage in such behavior. It’s not about occasional failure but about an unrepentant lifestyle that forfeits the promised inheritance in God’s future reign. This aligns with the consistent biblical teaching that one’s character and conduct reflect their spiritual reality.
1 Corinthians 6 8 Bonus Section
The Corinthian church was dealing with pervasive issues, including social and economic disparities. Taking such disputes to secular courts, often controlled by non-believers, was a public scandal. Paul’s argument in chapter 6, prior to this verse, highlights the shame of believers suing each other before pagans. This verse provides the theological foundation for why they should resolve matters internally and with justice: because persistent unrighteousness is incompatible with the kingdom. The phrase "will not inherit" uses a future tense, implying a forfeiture of a rightful possession through consistent, uncorrected behavior. This is echoed in the concept of believers being "heirs" of the kingdom. The verse also speaks to the spiritual maturity or immaturity of the believers; their ignorance of these fundamental truths reveals a need for deeper teaching and a genuine work of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6 8 Commentary
This verse sternly warns against the practice of injustice and fraud within the church. Paul asserts that such unrighteous actions exclude individuals from God's kingdom. This isn't a statement of conditional salvation, meaning a believer loses salvation for every act of sin, but rather a denunciation of a lifestyle characterized by these wrongs. Persistent sin, unconfessed and unrepented, fundamentally clashes with the nature of God's kingdom and its citizens. The church was to be a community that modeled righteousness, and internal fraud was a profound contradiction of their calling. Believers are called to purity and ethical conduct that distinguishes them from the unbelieving world, reflecting God's own righteousness.
Practical Usage Examples:
- A business owner who is known to consistently underpay employees or engage in deceptive sales practices is living in contradiction to this verse.
- A believer who cheats on their taxes or uses insider information for personal financial gain, even within the church context, is engaging in defrauding.
- Someone who knowingly sells faulty goods to another Christian brother or sister without disclosure, pocketing unfair profits.