1 Corinthians 6:9
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 mankind,
1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV)
Context
The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to address practical and moral problems in the Corinthian church. In the verses just before this one, he rebukes believers for taking disputes before unbelieving judges (1 Corinthians 6:1-8). Now he turns to a broader warning: those who live unrighteously will not inherit the kingdom of God. The question “Know ye not” assumes the Corinthians should already understand this truth, yet they need to be reminded of it.
Meaning
The word “unrighteous” (Greek: adikoi) describes those who persist in unrepentant sin, showing a lack of genuine faith and commitment to God. Paul is not speaking of occasional failure but of a lifestyle defined by disobedience. His warning “Be not deceived” is urgent: some in the church apparently believed they could continue in such behaviour without consequence. Eternal salvation is at stake, so Paul makes the matter plain.
Paul then lists specific sins that characterise the unrighteous:
Fornicators: those who engage in sexual immorality outside the boundaries of marriage.
Idolaters: those who worship idols or put anything or anyone above God.
Adulterers: those who violate the sanctity of marriage by sexual relations with someone other than their spouse.
Effeminate: from the Greek malakoi, referring to passive male homosexual partners.
Abusers of themselves with mankind: from the Greek arsenokoitai, referring to active male homosexual partners.
These last two terms together describe homosexual practice, which Scripture presents as contrary to God’s design for human sexuality. The list continues in verse 10 with thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and swindlers, showing that no sin is excluded from Paul’s warning.
Biblical connections
Paul’s purpose is to guide believers toward righteous living. By naming these sins, he emphasises sexual purity, fidelity in marriage, and the rejection of false gods. These teachings align with the broader moral law of God and the sanctity of human relationships. The warning is not that believers cannot struggle with sin, but that persisting in it without repentance marks a person as unrighteous.
Application
Paul’s intention is not to condemn those who have committed these sins but to call them to repentance and transformation. The following verse offers hope: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Through faith in Jesus Christ, forgiveness, cleansing, and transformation are available to anyone who repents and turns to God. No past sin places a person beyond the reach of His grace.
Reflection
This verse calls every believer to examine their life honestly. It is possible to be deceived about the seriousness of sin, so Paul’s words serve as a loving but firm warning. The gospel does not leave us in our sin; it washes, sanctifies, and justifies those who trust in Christ. The proper response is not self-confidence but humble dependence on God’s Spirit, who enables believers to turn from unrighteousness and walk in holiness.
