1 Corinthians 6:13

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 6:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body:
1 Corinthians 6:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats, etc.] All sort of food is appointed and provided to satisfy the appetite and stomach, to fill the belly, and nourish the body; and the belly, and all the parts through which the food passes, are purposely formed by God for the reception and digestion of the food, for its secretion, chylification, and nutrition by it, and the ejection of the excermentitious parts. But God shall destroy both it and them: at death, and in the grave, when the one shall be consumed, and the other be needless and useless; and though that part of the body, with the rest, will be raised at the last day, since the body will be raised perfect, consisting of all its parts;…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The argument drawn from the indifference of meats (Co1 8:8; Rom 14:14, Rom 14:17; compare Mar 7:18; Col 2:20-22) to that of fornication does not hold good. Meats doubtless are indifferent, since both they and the "belly" for which they are created are to be "destroyed" in the future state. But "the body is not (created) for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body" (as its Redeemer, who hath Himself assumed the body): "And God hath raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us" (that is our bodies): therefore the "body" is not, like the "belly," after having served a temporary use, to be destroyed: Now "he that committeth fornication, sinneth against his own body" (Co1 6:18).…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Meats for the belly ... - This has every appearance of being an adage or proverb. Its meaning is plain. “God has made us with appetites for food; and he has made food adapted to such appetites, and it is right, therefore, to indulge in luxurious living.” The word “belly” here κοιλία koilia denotes the “stomach;” and the argument is, that as God had created the natural appetite for food, and had created food, it was right to indulge in eating and drinking to any extent which the appetite demanded. The word “meats” here βρώματα brōmata does not denote animal food particularly, or flesh, but “any kind” of food. This was the sense of the English word formerly. Matthew 3:4; Matthew 6:25;…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“As if he had said, I speak this chiefly with regard to meats; (and would to God all Christians would consider it!) particularly with regard to those offered to idols, and those forbidden in the Mosaic law. These, I grant, are all indifferent, and have their use, though it is only for a time: then meats, and the organs which receive them, will together moulder into dust. But the case is quite otherwise with fornication. This is not indifferent, but at all times evil. For the body is for the Lord - Designed only for his service. And the Lord, in an important sense, for the body - Being the Saviour of this, as well as of the soul; in proof of which God hath already raised him from the dead. 1…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:13-14 “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food”: This statement was apparently used by some Corinthian Christians to rationalize their sexual immorality on the analogy that “the body was made for sex, and sex for the body.” It is a false analogy, because our bodies . . . were made for the Lord, and sexual immorality does not glorify him. In light of his concern for our bodies and the coming resurrection from the dead, our bodies must be used for holy purposes in God’s service.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Meats for: Mat 15:17, Mat 15:20; Mar 7:19; Rom 14:17 but God: Co1 10:3-5; Joh 6:27, Joh 6:49; Col 2:22, Col 2:23 but for: Co1 6:15, Co1 6:19, Co1 3:16; Rom 6:12, Rom 7:4, Rom 12:1, Rom 14:7-9; Co2 5:15, Co2 11:2; Eph 5:23; Th1 4:3-7 1 Corinthians 6:14”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification