Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 3:23

What does 1 Corinthians 3:23 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 3:23 means

Paul concludes: “and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” The chain of belonging orders everything. Believers belong to Christ by redemption; therefore all things are theirs in Him. Christ belongs to God in willing, eternal relation, accomplishing the Father’s purposes. This is not a statement of inferiority but of harmonious order within the Godhead’s saving work. The verse grounds unity and humility: if we belong to Christ, then our identity and security are settled, and there is no room for boasting in men. Everything returns to Christ as foundation and head. To remember whose we are is to be freed from rivalry and to live as one holy temple.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And you are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and ye <FI>are<Fi> Christ's, and Christ <FI>is<Fi> God's.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And you are Christ's. And Christ is God's.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and ye [are] Christ's, and Christ [is]God's.

Context

This final verse provides the theological anchor for the chapter’s appeals. After urging them to stop glorying in men and to recognize all things as theirs, Paul roots these truths in the deepest reality: union with Christ under God’s sovereign plan. The chapter thus closes where it has been heading—away from human-centered pride, toward Christ-centered unity. The next sections of the letter will continue addressing practical issues, but always with this foundation of identity in Christ and accountability before God.

v.22whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

v.23This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 14:8

    For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:6

    yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:3

    But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

  • John 17:9

    I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me; for they are thine:

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19

    Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own;

  • Philippians 2:8

    and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.

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