1 Corinthians 6:20

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 6:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:20 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your 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
“For ye are bought with a price, etc.] Not with gold and silver, but with the precious blood of Christ, as the whole church, and all the elect of God are. This proves them to be the Lord’s, not only his redeemed ones, being ransomed by a price from the bondage of the law, sin, Satan, and the world; but his espoused ones, and which is chiefly designed here; for one way of obtaining and espousing a wife among the Jews was by a price f87; “a woman (they say) is obtained or espoused three ways; Pskb, “by silver”, by a writing, and by lying with; by silver, the house of Shammai say, by a penny, and the value of a penny; the house of Hillel say, by a “pruta”, and the value of a “pruta”: how much is…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“bought with a price--Therefore Christ's blood is strictly a ransom paid to God's justice by the love of God in Christ for our redemption (Mat 20:28; Act 20:28; Gal 3:13; Heb 9:12; Pe1 1:18-19; Pe2 2:1; Rev 5:9). While He thus took off our obligation to punishment, He laid upon us a new obligation to obedience (Co1 7:22-23). If we accept Him as our Prophet to reveal God to us, and our Priest to atone for us, we must also accept Him as our King to rule over us as wholly His, presenting every token of our fealty (Isa 26:13). in your body--as "in" a temple (compare Joh 13:32; Rom 12:1; Phi 1:20). and in your spirit, which are God's--not in the oldest manuscripts and versions, and not needed for…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For ye are bought - Ye Christians are purchaseD; and by right of purchase should therefore be employed as he directs. This doctrine is often taught in the New Testament, and the argument is often urged that, therefore, Christians should be devoted to God; see 1 Corinthians 7:23; 1Pe 1:18-19; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 2:1; Revelation 5:9; see the note at Acts 20:28. With a price - τίμῇ timē. A price is that which is paid for an article, and which, in the view of the seller, is a fair compensation, or a valuable consideration why he should part with it; that is the price paid is as valuable to him as the thing itself would be. It may not be the same thing either in quality or quantity, but it…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Glorify God with your body, and your spirit - Yield your bodies and all their members, as well as your souls and all their faculties, as instruments of righteousness to God. Devote and employ all ye have, and all ye are, entirely, unreservedly, and for ever, to his glory. Next: 1 Corinthians Chapter 7”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“ye: Co1 7:23; Act 20:28; Gal 3:13; Heb 9:12; Pe1 1:18; Pe2 2:1; Rev 5:9 God: Co1 10:31; Mat 5:16; Rom 6:19, Rom 12:1; Phi 1:20; Pe1 2:9 Next: 1 Corinthians Chapter 7”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification