Paul was and is famous as the apostle of Christian liberty. He saw early in his Christian life and clearly that the Christian is not under the Mosaic Law. His Epistle to the Galatians is an exposition of this theme. He preached this freedom wherever he went. Unfortunately he was always subject to misinterpretation. Some of his hearers concluded that he advocated no restraints whatsoever in Christian living. [source][source][source]
Similarly the Protestant reformers fell under the same criticism by their Roman Catholic opponents. The Catholics said that the reformers were teaching that since Christians are saved by grace they could live sinful lives. Unfortunately John Calvin"s successor in Geneva, Theodore Beza (1519-1605), overreacted and argued that a true Christian cannot commit gross sin. This assertion led to the conclusion that the basis of assurance of salvation is the presence of fruit in the life rather than the promise of God (e.g, John 6:47; et al.). This view, that a true Christian will not commit gross sin, has become popular in reformed theology, but it goes further than Scripture does. Scripture never makes this claim but constantly warns Christians against abusing their liberty in Christ and turning it into a license to sin. [1][source]
Perhaps those in Corinth who were practicing sexual immorality and suing their brethren in pagan courts appealed to Paul to support their actions, though they took liberty farther than Paul did. [2][source]
""Everything is permissible for me" is almost certainly a Corinthian theological slogan." [3][source]
"It could have been argued in Corinth ... that the right course was for a husband to keep his wife "pure", and, if necessary, find occasional sexual satisfaction in a harlot." [4][source]
In this verse the apostle restated his general maxim but qualified it (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:23). Legality is not the only test the Christian should apply to his or her behavior. Is the practice also profitable (helpful, admirable, beneficial, expedient, good)? Furthermore even though I have authority over some practice, might it gain control over me? The Christian should always be able to submit to the Lord"s control. We should give the Lord, not anyone or anything else, primary control of our bodies. [source][source][source]
"Freedom is not to be for self but for others. The real question is not whether an action is "lawful" or "right" or even "all right," but whether it is good, whether it benefits.... Truly Christian conduct is not predicated on whether I have the right to do something, but whether my conduct is helpful to those about me." [2]7 [source]
"We have no longer any right to do what in itself is innocent, when our doing it will have a bad effect on others.... We have no longer any right to do what in itself is innocent, when experience has proved that our doing it has a bad effect on ourselves." [2]1 [source]
Context Summary
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 - Keeping The Body Holy
It is interesting to compare 1 Corinthians 6:12 with 1 Corinthians 10:23. There are four clauses in each verse, three of which are similar, but the last ones differ. The two laws that should govern our life in doubtful things, are first, the arresting of oneself in the doing of anything which threatens to become our master; and second, the abstaining from anything which threatens to be a stumbling-block in another's Christian life.
It is not enough to watch against temptation; we should be so filled with the Spirit of the risen Savior that the desires of the flesh shall have no fascination. The power that raised the body of Jesus from the grave is surely strong enough to raise our bodies from the bondage of corruption and to translate them to the resurrection plane. Let us keep joined to the Lord by one Spirit, that He may pour His own living energy into our nature. When He redeemed us, He undertook to save us wholly and entirely-spirit, soul, and body, 1 Thessalonians 5:23. Hand the keeping of your body over to Him. Consider that it is the forecourt of a temple, in the inner shrine of which the Holy Spirit lives; and as of old the glory of the Lord filled the whole structure, so trust the Spirit of Holiness to make and keep you whole. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 6
1The Corinthians must take their brothers to court; 6especially under infidels 9The wicked shall not inherit the kingdom of God 15Our bodies are the members of Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit: 19they must not therefore be defiled
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 6:12
Lawful [εχεστιν] Apparently this proverb may have been used by Paul in Corinth (repeated in 1 Corinthians 10:23), but not in the sense now used by Paul‘s opponents. The “all things” do not include such matters as those condemned in chapter 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:1-11. Paul limits the proverb to things not immoral, things not wrong per se. But even here liberty is not license. [source]
But not all things are expedient [αλλ ου παντα συμπερει] Old word συμπερει sumpherei bears together for good and so worthwhile. Many things, harmless in themselves in the abstract, do harm to others in the concrete. We live in a world of social relations that circumscribe personal rights and liberties. But I will not be brought under the power of any (αλλ ουκ εγω εχουσιαστησομαι υπο τινος all ouk egō exousiasthēsomai hupo tinos). Perhaps a conscious play on the verb εχεστιν exestin for εχουσιαζω exousiazō is from εχουσια exousia and that from εχεστιν exestin Verb from Aristotle on, though not common (Dion. of Hal., lxx and inscriptions). In N.T. only here, 1 Corinthians 7:4; Luke 22:25. Paul is determined not to be a slave to anything harmless in itself. He will maintain his self-control. He gives a wholesome hint to those who talk so much about personal liberty. [source]
But I will not be brought under the power of any [αλλ ουκ εγω εχουσιαστησομαι υπο τινος] Perhaps a conscious play on the verb εχεστιν exestin for εχουσιαζω exousiazō is from εχουσια exousia and that from εχεστιν exestin Verb from Aristotle on, though not common (Dion. of Hal., lxx and inscriptions). In N.T. only here, 1 Corinthians 7:4; Luke 22:25. Paul is determined not to be a slave to anything harmless in itself. He will maintain his self-control. He gives a wholesome hint to those who talk so much about personal liberty. [source]
Are lawful [ἕξεστιν] There is a play between this word and ἐξουσιασθήσομαι bebrought under the power, which can hardly be accurately conveyed to the English reader. The nearest approach to it is: “all things are in my power, but I shall not be brought under the power of any.” [source]
Will - be brought under the power [ἐξουσιασθήσομαι] From ἐξουσία powerof choice, permissive authority. See on Mark 2:10. This in turn is derived from ἔξεστι itis permitted. See above on are lawful. This kinship of the two words explains the play upon them. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 6:12
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 6:12
Apparently this proverb may have been used by Paul in Corinth (repeated in 1 Corinthians 10:23), but not in the sense now used by Paul‘s opponents. The “all things” do not include such matters as those condemned in chapter 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:1-11. Paul limits the proverb to things not immoral, things not wrong per se. But even here liberty is not license. [source]
Old word συμπερει sumpherei bears together for good and so worthwhile. Many things, harmless in themselves in the abstract, do harm to others in the concrete. We live in a world of social relations that circumscribe personal rights and liberties. But I will not be brought under the power of any (αλλ ουκ εγω εχουσιαστησομαι υπο τινος all ouk egō exousiasthēsomai hupo tinos). Perhaps a conscious play on the verb εχεστιν exestin for εχουσιαζω exousiazō is from εχουσια exousia and that from εχεστιν exestin Verb from Aristotle on, though not common (Dion. of Hal., lxx and inscriptions). In N.T. only here, 1 Corinthians 7:4; Luke 22:25. Paul is determined not to be a slave to anything harmless in itself. He will maintain his self-control. He gives a wholesome hint to those who talk so much about personal liberty. [source]
Perhaps a conscious play on the verb εχεστιν exestin for εχουσιαζω exousiazō is from εχουσια exousia and that from εχεστιν exestin Verb from Aristotle on, though not common (Dion. of Hal., lxx and inscriptions). In N.T. only here, 1 Corinthians 7:4; Luke 22:25. Paul is determined not to be a slave to anything harmless in itself. He will maintain his self-control. He gives a wholesome hint to those who talk so much about personal liberty. [source]
There is a play between this word and ἐξουσιασθήσομαι bebrought under the power, which can hardly be accurately conveyed to the English reader. The nearest approach to it is: “all things are in my power, but I shall not be brought under the power of any.” [source]
From ἐξουσία powerof choice, permissive authority. See on Mark 2:10. This in turn is derived from ἔξεστι itis permitted. See above on are lawful. This kinship of the two words explains the play upon them. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 6:12
See 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:23, 1 Corinthians 10:33 for Paul‘s guiding principle in such matters. [source]
As in 1 Corinthians 7:12.; 1 Timothy 5:8. The principle or proverb just quoted appears also in 1 Corinthians 6:12; 1 Corinthians 10:23; Romans 14:20. For the defilement of mind (νους nous) and conscience (συνειδησις suneidēsis) in both Gentile and Jew by sin, see Romans 1:18-2:29. [source]