You can imagine how this viewpoint was received in a seaport town. Corinth was a major port offering all the extra curricular activities of any large seaport city. In that pagan environment such a view-point would be very well received. How did Paul respond to such an argument?

II. God's people belong entirely to God; spirit and body!

Paul responded to this argument with the thought that Jesus is Lord of both spirit and body. The Corinthian believers belonged to Jesus in their spirits and in their bodies. To that end Paul reminded the believers, "... The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord!, and the Lord for the body. By His power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also!" (vv. 13b-14).

It does matter what one does with his or her body because the Lord has redeemed believers spiritually and physically. Paul pointed to Jesus resurrection. God raised Jesus physically from the grave; His spirit and body were raised. So also believers shall be raised physically from death. Paul stressed the fact that the bodies of believers were important to God and were to be used in a manner which honored God.

The image which comes to my mind is that of objects set aside from common to sacred use in the temple. An incense burner, for example, designed and destined for use in the temple was no ordinary thing. It was not that it contained any magical properties. Rather, it was "holy" because it was set aside for sacred use in the temple.

In that sense the bodies of believers are likewise holy. Why? Because the fact of redemption transforms them, as it were, from ordinary to sacred use. That is, they are now returned to their original purpose -- that of glorifying God. Therefore, believers must honor God with their bodies.

There were more than a few who believed that everything was permissible. Yet it is quite clear that not everything is beneficial. Not everything is beneficial, because not everything benefits the Lord and His kingdom.

Furthermore, Paul pointed out a great irony in their loose morals. Yes, they may think that everything is permissible for them. Yet those things in which these believers at first freely indulged may grow to dominate their minds, hearts and bodies. The irony is that their "freedom" may become their master, enslaving their lives and bodies.

III. What are we to do?

As God's people we must understand that we do not belong to ourselves. For disciples of Jesus, life is not about what we want. Rather, our lives are about honoring God. For that reason we must seek to honor God with our bodies! Why? Because all of you belongs entirely to God! If Jesus is your Savior you belong body and spirit to God.

How do we honor God with our bodies? One grand way. We flee from immorality. It means we proclaim lovingly and loudly that sex is for marriage and no where else! We honor God with the one-flesh relationship of marriage. That is not a message our culture receives with joy. No matter. As God's people we honor God in the one-flesh relationship of marriage. (Tim McQuade)