Paul closes the sixth chapter with a glimpse of upcoming topics. From Christian liberty to marriage, from the Church as Chris’s body to the resurrection of the dead, Paul’s argument throughout is to flee immorality. This command can only be achieved through constant, continual growth in Scripture and submitting to the abiding presence of Christ the King.

With accountability in mind, Paul enumerates the characteristics of those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Two themes overshadow this list: sexual immorality and disregard of others. It’s clear that any and all sins, whether small or great in our eyes, are all infractions against the holiness of God. Thanks be to God that the remedy has also been given.

Though some in the church in Corinth displayed these traits of wickedness, now, in Christ, they are new creations. This is the greatest gift God offers to mankind!

Instead of judging morally, the Corinthian church boasts in their open tolerance of sinful lifestyles. Paul condemns their unwillingness to condemn sin and equips them with the necessary tools for doing so. It’s clear from Scripture that Christian morality and ethics have to be in the center of the marketplace of ideas. This begins in the church with elders holding flocks accountable to the Word of God. Elders are not only overseers in the church, they are judges, truly “ruling” elders. The problem with the Corinthian Christians is their willingness to go to legal courts to resolve matters yet they were unwilling to judge the immorality within their midst!