6:1  DOES ANY of you dare, when he has a matter of complaint against another [brother], to go to law before unrighteous men [men neither upright nor right with God, laying it before them] instead of before the saints (the people of God)?

6:2  Do you not know that the saints (the believers) will [one day] judge {and} govern the world? And if the world [itself] is to be judged {and} ruled by you, are you unworthy {and} incompetent to try [such petty matters] of the smallest courts of justice?

6:3  Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels {and} pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world {and} of this life only!

6:4  If then you do have such cases of everyday life to decide, why do you appoint [as judges to lay them before] those who [from the standpoint] of the church count for least {and} are without standing?

6:5  I say this to move you to shame. Can it be that there really is not one man among you who [in action is governed by piety and integrity and] is wise {and} competent enough to decide [the private grievances, disputes, and quarrels] between members of the brotherhood,

6:6  But brother goes to law against brother, and that before [Gentile judges who are] unbelievers [without faith or trust in the Gospel of Christ]?

6:7  Why, the very fact of your having lawsuits with one another at all is a defect (a defeat, an evidence of positive moral loss for you). Why not rather let yourselves suffer wrong {and} be deprived of what is your due? Why not rather be cheated (defrauded and robbed)?

6:8  But [instead it is you] yourselves who wrong and defraud, and that even your own brethren [by so treating them]!

6:9  Do you not know that the unrighteous {and} the wrongdoers will not inherit {or} have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure {and} immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,

6:10  Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers {and} slanderers, nor extortioners {and} robbers will inherit {or} have any share in the kingdom of God.

6:11  And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.

6:12  Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything {or} be brought under its power.

6:13  Food [is intended] for the stomach and the stomach for food, but God will finally end [the functions of] both {and} bring them to nothing. The body is not intended for sexual immorality, but [is intended] for the Lord, and the Lord [is intended] for the body [to save, sanctify, and raise it again].

6:14  And God both raised the Lord to life and will also raise us up by His power.

6:15  Do you not see {and} know that your bodies are members (bodily parts) of Christ (the Messiah)? Am I therefore to take the parts of Christ and make [them] parts of a prostitute? Never! Never!

6:16  Or do you not know {and} realize that when a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? The two, it is written, shall become one flesh.

6:17  But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.

6:18  Shun immorality {and} all sexual looseness [flee from impurity in thought, word, or deed]. Any other sin which a man commits is one outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.

6:19  Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,

6:20  You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God {and} bring glory to Him in your body.