The most radical idea with which early Christianity confronted the pagan Roman world was that of the resurrection of the body. Any number of religions taught something or other about immortality or life after death in some kind of "spirit world." But Christianity proclaimed a life to come in which one's whole being--spirit, soul, and body--would be renewed and restored as part of God's glorious new creation.
As is often the case today, the Corinthian believers had a hard time living a life consistent with what they believed. Having been immersed in a pagan culture which reveled in carnal pleasures, they were not altogether prepared to deal with the implications of belief in the resurrection of the body. They were eager to embrace the idea that Christ had paid the penalty for their sins. But they were using their newfound freedom as an excuse for continuing to indulge their carnal passions. This, says Paul, is not the way to treat a body that is to be raised immortal.
"The body is not meant for sexual immorality," Paul writes, "but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power." Indeed, it is the hope of the resurrection which lies at the heart of Paul's teaching on sexual morality. That hope is embodied in Christ. "Do you not know," Paul asks, "that your bodies are members of Christ?" Just as Christ was raised by the power of God, so all who are members of Christ will be raised. In light of this, it would be the height of foolishness to join oneself with a prostitute. What is the benefit, Paul wants to know, of continuing to indulge the flesh while grieving the Holy Spirit, of whom your body is a temple? Can such an act of desecration bring glory to God? Certainly not!
The sayings, "All things are lawful for me" and "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food," were popular in Corinth in Paul's day. Apparently, they were being used by some of the Corinthians to justify their carnal indulgences. In much the same way, modern-day expressions like "I can do what I want with my own body" are used to justify the pursuit of sensual pleasure without consequences. The culture at large may live by such dangerous thinking, but for those who bear the name of Christian, Paul's words to the Corinthians still apply: "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven to earth come down;
Fix in us thy humble dwelling;
All thy faithful mercies crown!
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit,
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its Beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy life receive;
Suddenly return and never,
Never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be.
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee;
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
- Charles Wesley
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