Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 6:16

What does 1 Corinthians 6:16 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 6:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 6:16 means

Paul explains why sexual union matters: the one who joins himself to a prostitute becomes “one body” with her, as Scripture says, “The twain… shall become one flesh.” Sex forges a real personal bond, not just a momentary physical act. This God-designed unity belongs within the covenant of marriage. To join in such a bond outside God’s design violates both creation’s order and the believer’s union with Christ. Paul’s citation shows that his ethic is not arbitrary; it rests on God’s original intention for human sexuality. The misuse of sex disorders the self and relationships at a deep level.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Or know ye not that he that is joined to a harlot is one body? for, The twain, saith he, shall become one flesh.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Or know ye not that he that is joined to a harlot is one body? for, The twain, saith he, shall become one flesh.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Or do you not see that he who is joined to a loose woman is one body with her? for God has said, The two of them will become one flesh.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

have ye not known that he who is joined to the harlot is one body? `for they shall be--saith He--the two for one flesh.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Or know you not that he who is joined to a harlot is made one body? For they shall be, saith he, two in one flesh.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Do ye not know that he [that is] joined to the harlot is one body? for the two, he says, shall be one flesh.

Context

This verse supplies biblical support for the previous warning, rooting Paul’s argument in creation. The ‘one flesh’ reality heightens the seriousness of sexual sin. Verse 17 will place this beside the believer’s union with the Lord, showing a higher, spiritual oneness that should govern bodily choices. The next command in verse 18—to flee fornication—flows naturally from these theological realities.

v.15Know ye not that your bodies are members of Christ? shall I then take away the members of Christ, and make them members of a harlot? God forbid.

v.16This passage

v.17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 2:24

    Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

  • Genesis 38:15

    When Judah saw her, he thought her to be a harlot; for she had covered her face.

  • Matthew 21:31

    Which of the two did the will of his father? They say, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

  • Genesis 34:31

    And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with a harlot?

  • Hebrews 11:31

    By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received the spies with peace.

  • Mark 10:8

    and the two shall become one flesh: so that they are no more two, but one flesh.

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