Verse 13 seems to be another one of those catchy Corinthian sayings. The idea was that sex was just another biological function. Boy, this sounds familiar, doesn't it? I mean it's only natural. You get hungry you eat; you have sexual desires you fulfill them.
Can you imagine what a world like that would be like?
''If it feels good, do it.'' It's only natural.
Their reasoning was that, hey this is what we are made for. Let's go out and enjoy ourselves!
Paul gives a series of corrective statements, statements that show we are made with a purpose, something more than fulfilling any and every desire we might have.
WE WERE MADE FOR THE LORD!
We were designed and fashioned by the hand of God. God formed us for himself. He fashioned us for His glory.
1 Thessalonians 4:3
God designed pleasure; he designed us to enjoy sex. However, he designed us to enjoy it within the boundaries of a marriage relationship.
Bodies and food are temporary; our relationship to Christ is eternal.
WE WERE DESIGNED FOR ETERNITY!
1 Corinthians 6:14
Food and stomachs are temporal relationships. In contrast our relationship to Christ is eternal. We will one day stand in judgment before Christ. We will give an account of ourselves to him. If we live a sexually impure life we will answer for it. Our bodies will one day be raised; I think we ought to be a little careful about how we use them.
WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST!
1 Corinthians 6:15-17
This teaching about sexual immorality was especially important for the Corinthian church because the temple of the love-goddess Aphrodite was in Corinth. This temple employed more than a thousand prostitutes, and sex was part of the worship ritual. Paul wanted them to have no part in sexual immorality, even if it was acceptable and popular in the surrounding culture. Why?
We are vitally united with him as our Lord and Savior. Our body is a part of the Lord's body, the church!
Sex is more than just a physical act. Instead, it unites a man and a woman in such a way that they become one body. This was true for Adam and Eve; it is true today. There is a union between sexual partners, one that is intended for pleasure and intimacy. Sexual immorality brings about that union when it should not. Not only that, but where we go, Christ goes. We involve Him!
What does Paul say we should do in: 1 Corinthians 6:18?
Look past the lure of lust to the consequences - James 1:15
Next Week: Application: How To Stay Pure Before God