1 Corinthians 6 · Verse 17

1 Corinthians 6:17

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:17, King James Version

1 Corinthians 6:17 in other translations

BSBBut he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.
WEBBut he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.
ASVBut he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
YLTAnd he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit;
DARBYBut he that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit.
BBEBut he who is united to the Lord is one spirit.
WebsterBut he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit.

What does 1 Corinthians 6:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
17. one spirit--with Him. In the case of union with a harlot, the fornicator becomes one "body" with her (not one "spirit," for the spirit which is normally the organ of the Holy Spirit in man, is in the carnal so overlaid with what is sensual that it is ignored altogether). But the believer not only has his body sanctified by union with Christ's body, but also becomes "one spirit" with Him (Joh 15:1-7; 17:21; 2Pe 1:4; compare Ep 5:23-32; Joh 3:6).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 17. But he that is joined to the Lord. The true Christian, united by faith to the Lord Jesus. See Jn 15:1, seq.

Is one spirit. That is, in a sense similar to that in which a man and his wife are one body. It is not to be taken literally; but the sense is, that there is a close and intimate union; they are united in feeling, spirit, intention, disposition. The argument is beautiful. It is, "As the union of souls is more important than that of bodies; as that union is more lasting, dear, and enduring than any union of body with body can be; and as our union with him is with a Spirit pure and holy, it is improper that we should sunder that tie, and break that sacred bond, by being joined to a harlot. The union with Christ is more intimate, entire, and pure, than that can be between a man and woman; and that union should be regarded as sacred and inviolable." Oh, if all Christians felt and regarded this as they should, how would they shrink from the connexions which they often form on earth! Comp. Eph 4:4.

(c) "one spirit" Jn 17:21-23, Eph 4:4

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 17 Is one spirit - He who is united to God, by faith in Christ Jesus, receives his Spirit, and becomes a partaker of the Divine nature. Who can change such a relationship for communion with a harlot; or for any kind of sensual gratification? He who can must be far and deeply fallen!

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Some among the Corinthians seem to have been ready to say, All things are lawful for me. This dangerous conceit St. Paul opposes. There is a liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, in which we must stand fast. But surely a Christian would never put himself into the power of any bodily appetite. The body is for the Lord; is to be an instrument of righteousness to holiness, therefore is never to be made an…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 →

1 Corinthians 6:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὁhoThe [one]G3588
δὲdehoweverG1161
κολλώμενοςkollōmenosbeing joinedG2853
τῷtōto theG3588
κυρίῳkuriōLordG2962
ἓνhenoneG1520
πνεῦμάpneumaspiritG4151
ἐστιν.¶estinis.G1510

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 6:17

  • John 17:21-23

    That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

  • Galatians 2:20

    I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:13

    For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

  • Ephesians 4:3-4

    Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

  • John 3:6

    That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

  • Ephesians 5:30

    For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

  • Philippians 2:5

    Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
12:13; Joh 3:6; 17:21-23; Eph 4:3,4; 5:30; Php 2:5

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 6:16

    What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:17

    But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:18

    Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 6

1 Corinthians 6:17 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Empero el que se junta con el Señor, un espíritu es.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		mais celui qui est uni au Seigneur est un seul esprit avec lui.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer aber dem Herrn anhängt, ist ein Geist mit ihm.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui autem adhæret Domino, unus spiritus est.