1 Corinthians 6:16

What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

1 Corinthians 6:16 (KJV)

Context

Paul writes to correct the Corinthians’ casual attitude toward sexual sin. In the preceding verses he commands them to flee fornication, and later in the chapter he reminds them that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This verse sits within that urgent warning, showing why sexual immorality is so serious.

Meaning

The rhetorical question “What? know ye not” rebukes the Corinthians for failing to grasp a basic truth. Paul then states that a man joined to a harlot becomes one body with her. The Greek word translated “joined” (kollao) means to cleave or bond closely, indicating a profound union, not a casual encounter.

Paul grounds this in the creation ordinance: “for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.” This is a direct quotation from Genesis 2:24, where God establishes marriage as a one-flesh union. By applying that text to a union with a prostitute, Paul reveals that sexual intimacy creates a real bond, even outside marriage. Such a bond violates God’s design and defiles the body.

Biblical connections

Paul’s quotation of Genesis 2:24 directly ties his warning to the creation ordinance of marriage. The one-flesh union was established by God for husband and wife, and Paul applies that same standard to show that any sexual union creates this bond. This connection underscores the seriousness of joining to a harlot.

Application

Believers are called to honour God with their bodies, recognizing that they are temples of the Holy Spirit. This verse warns that sexual sin is not merely physical but creates a spiritual and moral entanglement. Fleeing immorality and pursuing holiness reflect the sacredness of the body and the seriousness of God’s design for intimacy.

Reflection

This verse challenges readers to take sexual purity seriously. It reminds us that intimacy is powerful and sacred, and that God’s boundaries are for our protection. As we meditate on this truth, we are drawn to gratitude for God’s design and to a renewed commitment to live in a way that honours Him.