Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 6:20

What does 1 Corinthians 6:20 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 6:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 6:20 means

Believers were “bought with a price”—redeemed at great cost by God, through the saving work of the Lord Jesus. Therefore they are not their own, and the fitting response is to glorify God in their body. Redemption is not only forgiveness; it is a transfer of ownership and purpose. The body, once used for sin, now belongs to God’s service. This closing summons gathers the chapter’s themes: cease wronging brothers, abandon sexual immorality, and live out your new identity. Knowing the price paid and the Spirit’s indwelling turns ethics into worship—honoring God with every bodily choice.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For a payment has been made for you: let God be honoured in your body.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for ye were bought with a price; glorify, then, God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for ye have been bought with a price: glorify now thenGod in your body.

Context

This final verse provides the ultimate motivation for the sexual ethics of verses 12–19 and, by extension, for all conduct. It ties identity (purchased by God) to vocation (glorify God). The chapter began with public dishonor of the gospel through lawsuits and ends with a call to public and private honor through holy use of the body. The next chapter will address related questions about marriage and singleness, continuing the theme of God-honoring relationships.

v.19Or 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;

v.20This passage

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 7:23

    Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.

  • Matthew 5:16

    Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

  • Revelation 5:9

    And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,

  • 1 Corinthians 10:31

    Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

  • Philippians 1:20

    according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

  • 1 Peter 1:18

    knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;

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