1 Corinthians 6:9
What does 1 Corinthians 6:9 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 6:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 6:9 means
Paul warns that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom and urges them not to be deceived. He lists practices that exclude: sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, passive and active forms of male same-sex behavior. These sins, among others, represent a life lived contrary to God’s rule. The point is not to single out one group but to dispel the lie that grace licenses ongoing rebellion. Inheriting the kingdom belongs to those transformed by Christ. Paul’s warning aims to awaken any who imagine they can defraud a brother, indulge desires, or worship idols and still presume upon God’s final blessing.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Have you not knowledge that evil-doers will have no part in the kingdom of God? Have no false ideas about this: no one who goes after the desires of the flesh, or gives worship to images, or is untrue when married, or is less than a man, or makes a wrong use of men,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862have ye not known that the unrighteous the reign of God shall not inherit? be not led astray; neither whoremongers, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor sodomites,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: Neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Do ye not know that unrighteous [persons] shall not inherit [the] kingdom ofGod? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who make women of themselves, nor who abuse themselves with men,
Context
This verse begins a two-verse catalog that frames their lawsuits and cheating as part of ‘unrighteousness.’ It starkly states the eternal stakes—inheritance of the kingdom is at issue. Verse 10 will continue the list, broadening it to economic and speech-related sins. The force of the warning prepares for verse 11’s gracious reminder that many in Corinth used to live this way but have been changed by God’s saving work.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 1:9
as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
- Leviticus 20:13
And if a man lie with mankind, as with womankind, both of them have committed abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
- 1 Corinthians 15:50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
- Exodus 23:1
Thou shalt not take up a false report: put not thy hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
- Judges 19:22
As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain base fellows, beset the house round about, beating at the door; and they spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thy house, that we may know him.
- Isaiah 10:1
Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers that write perverseness;
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