The Bible Says Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6

Paul addresses dysfunction in the Corinthian church. Some of the Corinthian believers are taking their fellow believers to civil courts with pagan judges. Paul points out that this is ridiculous, since one day believers will be judges over the world and even angels as a reward from Christ for faithfulness in this life. While earthly judges are legitimate for judging earthly legal matters and criminal cases, a dispute between believers should be settled within the church by wise, fair-minded leaders.

Paul notes that the fact that some believers are prosecuting others is already a failure, whatever the outcome of the case. It would be better to show mercy, to cut losses, to exhibit grace and sacrifice, rather than attack one another in the courts. But the Corinthian believers are caught up in suing one another and trying to dominate each other in the legal system, rather than make peace and serve one another as Christ modelled. But this kind of unrighteousness, along with other types of sins which Paul lists, will not lead any believer to inherit a leadership role in God's coming kingdom. Since we have been saved from sin and declared righteous in God's sight, we should live not to win in this life, but to win in the next life.

Paul reminds the Corinthians of who they are and how they are to live now. Though they do not need to worry about keeping laws, that does not mean that they should sin. They should live their identity as members of the body of Christ. Instead of using their bodies to sin, they need to represent Christ.

For example, Paul asks his readers, should those who belong to Christ have a sexual relationship with a prostitute? Should we, who are part of Christ, engage in sexual immorality? That is a horrifying thought, and the answer is obviously, "Never!" Paul is prompting them to remember who they are and to act like it. Christians should run away from sin because it will harm us. 

Sex is not merely physical but spiritual also; sexual sin hurts us spiritually. It is not that we need to follow rules for the sake of rule-keeping, but to realize we are, in our essence, like temples who contain Christ. We are sons of God who have been declared righteous and raised from spiritual slavery. We are not our own gods; God is God. He rescued us from the slavery of sin to live as reflections of who He is, which entails living purely with our bodies, which is to our own benefit and fulfills part of our calling.