I Corinthians 6:12-13

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“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. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.”

Does this scripture teach that Christians do not have to keep any law or follow (any other) standards? I Cor 6:9-11 show that Christians do have standards of conduct. I Cor 6:9 plainly states that to be unrighteous is to break the commandments (Psa. 119:172). I Corinthians 6:12 shows, however, that Christians do have certain “liberties” as they overcome the bad character of I Cor 6:9-11.

The word “expedient” comes from the Greek word sumphero meaning “to bear together, advantage, be better for.” Paul is saying that “Everything within the law is proper (lawful), but some things are better off not being done, because those who do them are not better for having done so. There was no advantage in doing them.” Other translations reveal this meaning. The concern can also become using liberty in a way that offends weak brothers.

Sleep, food, and alcohol are all lawful, but there are circumstances when using them would not be the “expedient” thing to do. Paul added (the conclusion to I Cor 6:12 could be I Cor 6:13) that he would not let things like oversleeping, overeating, or overdrinking rule him.

Though eating is not wrong, I Cor 6:13 explains that God will destroy gluttons! The key to understanding this passage is found in the end of I Cor 6:13. This passage is saying that “Sex is permissible, because God made the body, but its wrong use (fornication) is a sin.” This was a big Corinthian problem Paul had to address.

Remember, the first and great rule of Bible study is to start with the most basic scriptures on a subject and build from there.