The Corinthian church, being situated in a prosperous city that was used as a harbour, faced the problem of secularism. In 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses many of these problems and encourages them to maintain their unity as a church, so as to glorify God. Today, we who also live in a secular society, face the same threat of being influenced by the world’s concepts and standards of right and wrong. 

Verses 1-11 tell us about believers who have brought disagreements among themselves to the courts to be settled by unbelieving judges. While most of us likely have not experienced something to that extent before, we would have had our own disputes with other members. Whether they are small misunderstandings or bigger conflicts, how do we react? 

Paul tells the believers that their behaviour of suing one another was to their shame, and questions them: “Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?” (1 Cor 6:7) He says this not meaning that we should purposefully allow others to do wrong to us, but that we must also learn to forgive each other, as this brings glory to God, especially before the unbelievers. When there are grievances between us and other brethren, are we willing to suffer a little, take a little less, and forgive one another, in order to maintain unity and glorify God? 

The world may tell us that we should seek revenge or vengeance for ourselves, but God tells us: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph 4:31-32)

Paul goes on to rebuke those who committed the wrongs against their brethren, calling them unrighteous. Interestingly, many of the behaviours that Paul deems unrighteous according to God’s standards, are things that the world today increasingly normalises like fornication, homosexuality, drunkenness etc. 

The world may tell us that it is our lives, our bodies and our choice, but God tells us: “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Cor 6:19)

While the message from the world is often in conflict with the message from God, we must remember that we have a special status, having been washed, sanctified and justified by Jesus (1 Cor 6:11). As children of God and heirs of eternal life, our bodies will be raised in glory on the last day. Therefore, while we live our short lives on earth, may we always remember this: “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor 6:20)