1
Τολμᾷ τις ὑμῶν πρᾶγμα ἔχων πρὸς τὸν ἕτερον κρίνεσθαι ἐπὶ τῶν ἀδίκων, καὶ οὐχὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ἁγίων;
Does any one of you, when he has a matter against another, dare to go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
A new topic opens abruptly (asyndeton) with the front-loaded verb 'dare' — the very audacity of suing a fellow believer before pagan courts is the point of indictment.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
Τολμᾷdoes (he) darePres Act Indic 3 Sg · τολμάωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ gnomic/customary presentτολμάω: 'dare, have the audacity'; fronted for emphasis — the action is presumptuous effrontery.
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)
ὑμῶνof youGenitivepartitive genitive
πρᾶγμαa matterAccusativedirect object of ἔχωνπρᾶγμα: 'thing, matter, affair'; here a legal case or dispute (a Greek idiom for a lawsuit).
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωadverbial ptc. (temporal/conditional)→ present (concurrent)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; 'having a matter against' = 'having a grievance/case against.'
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (opposition)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἕτερονotherAccusativeobject of πρός (substantival adj.)ἕτερος: 'other (of two), another'; here a fellow member — the 'neighbor' in the dispute.
κρίνεσθαιto go to lawPres Mid Inf · κρίνωcomplementary infinitive (w/ τολμᾷ)→ present (general)κρίνω: 'judge'; middle/passive 'be judged, litigate, go to law' — the legal sense of seeking a verdict.
ἐπὶbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)ἐπί + gen.: here forensic, 'before, in the court of' — standing before a tribunal.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἀδίκωνunrighteousGenitiveobject of ἐπί (substantival adj.)ἄδικος: 'unrighteous, unjust'; here the pagan magistrates — pointedly named by their moral standing, not their office, sharpening the irony of seeking justice from them.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adversative force)
οὐχὶnotemphatic negativeοὐχί: strengthened form of οὐ; 'not indeed,' here heightening the contrast.
ἐπὶbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)
τῶνtheGenitivearticle
ἁγίωνsaintsGenitiveobject of ἐπί (substantival adj.)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the set-apart people of God — the believing community as the proper forum.
2
ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι οἱ ἅγιοι τὸν κόσμον κρινοῦσιν; καὶ εἰ ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος, ἀνάξιοί ἐστε κριτηρίων ἐλαχίστων;
Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you unworthy to try the most trivial cases?
The first of six 'do you not know?' rebukes in the chapter: the eschatological dignity of the saints (judging the world) renders petty earthly litigation absurdly beneath them.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἢordisjunctive conjunction (introduces alternative)ἤ: 'or'; introducing a rhetorical 'or do you not know,' presuming the readers already grant the premise.
οὐκnotnegative (expects 'yes' answer)
οἴδατεdo you knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (rhetorical question)→ intensive perfect (present sense)οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present meaning); the refrain οὐκ οἴδατε assumes settled knowledge they are failing to apply.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
οἱtheNominativearticle
ἅγιοιsaintsNominativesubject (substantival adj.)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the eschatological co-regents who share in Christ's judicial rule (cf. Dan 7:22).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κόσμονworldAccusativedirect objectκόσμος: 'world'; here the unbelieving world-order that will stand under the saints' verdict.
κρινοῦσινwill judgeFut Act Indic 3 Pl · κρίνωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ predictive futureκρίνω: 'judge'; future of certain eschatological participation in judgment.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἰifconjunction (first-class condition, assumed true)εἰ: 'if'; with the indicative, a condition assumed true for argument — 'if (as is the case).'
ἐνby/amongpreposition + dative (agency/sphere)ἐν + dat.: here instrumental/agentive, 'by you,' or local 'in your court.'
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν (agency)
κρίνεταιis judgedPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · κρίνωmain verb (apodosis-protasis)→ futuristic presentκρίνω: passive 'is judged'; the present has future reference — the destined judgment treated as good as present.
ὁtheNominativearticle
κόσμοςworldNominativesubject of κρίνεται
ἀνάξιοίunworthyNominativepredicate adjectiveἀνάξιος: 'unworthy, incompetent' (alpha-privative of ἄξιος); the question expects an indignant 'surely not.'
ἐστεare youPres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
κριτηρίωνof cases/tribunalsGenitivegenitive (after ἀνάξιοι, of the thing one is unworthy of)κριτήριον: 'court, tribunal,' by extension 'case, lawsuit'; here the trivial matters to be tried.
ἐλαχίστωνsmallest/most trivialGenitiveattributive adjective (superlative)ἐλάχιστος: 'least, smallest' (superlative of μικρός); the contrast — those fit to judge the world cannot judge the pettiest disputes?
3
οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ἀγγέλους κρινοῦμεν, μήτι γε βιωτικά;
Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more, then, matters of this life?
The argument escalates from world to angels — if the saints judge even angelic beings, the from-greater-to-lesser inference makes everyday matters trivially within their competence.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
οὐκnotnegative (expects 'yes' answer)
οἴδατεdo you knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (rhetorical question)→ intensive perfect (present sense)οἶδα: 'know'; the refrain repeated, pressing the appeal to shared conviction.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
ἀγγέλουςangelsAccusativedirect object (fronted for emphasis)ἄγγελος: 'messenger, angel'; fronted to stress the astonishing scope — even angelic beings fall under the saints' judgment.
κρινοῦμενwe will judgeFut Act Indic 1 Pl · κρίνωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ predictive futureκρίνω: 'judge'; Paul shifts to 'we,' including himself among the eschatological judges.
μήτιhow much more / surely not lessinterrogative particle (a fortiori)μήτι: interrogative particle; with γε, 'how much more then,' carrying the lesser case by the greater.
γεindeedemphatic particleγε: enclitic intensive, 'at least, indeed'; sharpens μήτι into 'how much more.'
βιωτικάmatters of this lifeAccusativeobject (understood w/ 'judge'; substantival adj.)βιωτικός: 'pertaining to (daily) life' (from βίος); ordinary, mundane affairs — the very stuff of their lawsuits.
4
βιωτικὰ μὲν οὖν κριτήρια ἐὰν ἔχητε, τοὺς ἐξουθενημένους ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ, τούτους καθίζετε;
So if you have cases concerning matters of this life, do you seat as judges those who are of no account in the church?
An inferential 'so then' draws out the absurdity: to take such cases before pagan courts is to enthrone as arbiters the very people the church holds in no esteem — a reversal of right order.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
βιωτικὰof this lifeAccusativeattributive adjective (fronted)βιωτικός: 'pertaining to daily life'; resumes v.3, now qualifying the cases.
μὲν(on the one hand)particle (with οὖν, transitional)
οὖνtherefore/soinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; μὲν οὖν marks a transition drawing the practical inference.
κριτήριαcasesAccusativedirect object of ἔχητεκριτήριον: 'court, lawsuit, case'; here the everyday disputes the Corinthians litigate.
ἐὰνifconjunction (third-class condition)ἐάν: 'if (ever)'; with subjunctive, a general or contingent condition.
ἔχητεyou havePres Act Subj 2 Pl · ἔχωverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ present (general)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; the subjunctive sets the recurring situation.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐξουθενημένουςthose of no accountPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἐξουθενέωsubstantival participle (object of καθίζετε)→ intensive perfect (settled standing)ἐξουθενέω: 'despise, treat as nothing, count worthless'; perfect — those settled in the church's low regard (i.e. the outside/unbelieving judges).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἐκκλησίᾳchurchDativedat. of sphere (within the assembly's estimation)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church'; the called-out community, whose verdict on such judges is dismissal.
τούτουςtheseAccusativeresumptive demonstrative (object)οὗτος: 'this'; resumes the participle for emphasis — 'these, of all people, you seat?'
καθίζετεdo you seat (as judges)Pres Act Indic 2 Pl · καθίζωmain verb (rhetorical question; or imperative reading)→ present (customary)καθίζω: 'seat, install'; of placing someone on the judicial bench — pointedly ironic here (the most common reading is an incredulous question).
5
πρὸς ἐντροπὴν ὑμῖν λέγω. οὕτως οὐκ ἔνι ἐν ὑμῖν οὐδεὶς σοφὸς ὃς δυνήσεται διακρῖναι ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ;
I say this to your shame. Is it so that there is not a single wise man among you who will be able to arbitrate between his brothers?
Paul names his rhetorical aim outright — 'to shame you' — then drives it home: a church boasting in wisdom cannot produce even one person wise enough to settle a quarrel between brothers.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
πρὸςfor/towardpreposition + accusative (purpose)πρός + acc.: here of purpose/result, 'with a view to.'
ἐντροπὴνshameAccusativeobject of πρός (purpose)ἐντροπή: 'shame, abashment' (lit. 'a turning in on oneself'); the chastening blush meant to provoke reform.
ὑμῖνto youDativedat. of disadvantage / indirect object
λέγωI sayPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ instantaneous present (performative)λέγω: 'say, speak'; the performative present of the act of writing/speaking.
οὕτωςso/thusadverb (manner; introduces incredulous question)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; here 'is it so that…?' — astonished disbelief.
οὐκnotnegative
ἔνιthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔνειμι (ἔνι)main verb (impersonal 'there is')→ stative presentἔνι: shortened form of ἔνεστιν, 'there is (in/among)'; emphatic 'is there really not…?'
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (with double negative for emphasis)οὐδείς: 'no one'; οὐκ … οὐδείς piles negatives — 'not even a single one.'
σοφὸςwiseNominativeattributive/predicate adjectiveσοφός: 'wise'; cutting, given Corinth's prized wisdom — not one practically wise enough to judge.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of δυνήσεται)
δυνήσεταιwill be ableFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb (rel. clause)→ potential futureδύναμαι: 'be able'; the capability sought — competence to arbitrate.
διακρῖναιto decide/arbitrateAor Act Inf · διακρίνωcomplementary infinitive (w/ δυνήσεται)→ constative aoristδιακρίνω: 'distinguish, decide, arbitrate' (διά intensive of κρίνω); to render a discerning verdict between parties.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)ἀνά: 'up, throughout'; in ἀνὰ μέσον a fixed Semitic-flavored idiom, 'in the midst of, between.'
μέσον(the) midstAccusativeobject in idiom ἀνὰ μέσονμέσος: 'middle'; ἀνὰ μέσον = 'between' (a LXX idiom).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive (object of the idiom)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the singular generically 'his brothers' — the disputing fellow believers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship
6
ἀλλὰ ἀδελφὸς μετὰ ἀδελφοῦ κρίνεται, καὶ τοῦτο ἐπὶ ἀπίστων;
But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?
The strong adversative sets the ugly fact against the ideal: not arbitration within the family, but litigation of brother against brother — and worse, staged before the unbelieving.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but, on the contrary'; marking the actual practice against the expected ideal.
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativesubjectἀδελφός: 'brother'; the repetition ἀδελφὸς μετὰ ἀδελφοῦ heightens the scandal of intra-family suits.
μετὰwith/againstpreposition + genitive (association in dispute)μετά + gen.: 'with'; here in adversarial association, 'has lawsuits with.'
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitiveobject of μετά
κρίνεταιgoes to lawPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · κρίνωmain verb→ present (customary)κρίνω: middle 'litigate, go to law'; the actual, habitual practice.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῦτοthis/thatAccusativeadverbial accusative ('and that')οὗτος: in καὶ τοῦτο, the idiom 'and that too,' adding an aggravating circumstance.
ἐπὶbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)
ἀπίστωνunbelieversGenitiveobject of ἐπί (substantival adj.)ἄπιστος: 'unbelieving, faithless' (alpha-privative of πιστός); the pagan judges, the climactic aggravation.
7
ἤδη μὲν οὖν ὅλως ἥττημα ὑμῖν ἐστιν ὅτι κρίματα ἔχετε μεθ' ἑαυτῶν. διὰ τί οὐχὶ μᾶλλον ἀδικεῖσθε; διὰ τί οὐχὶ μᾶλλον ἀποστερεῖσθε;
Already, then, it is altogether a defeat for you that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?
Paul renders the deeper verdict: the lawsuits themselves are a moral defeat regardless of outcome; the gospel alternative is the willingness to absorb wrong rather than insist on one's rights (cf. Matt 5:39–40).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἤδηalreadyadverb (time)ἤδη: 'already, now'; before any verdict is reached, the very existence of the suits is the loss.
μὲνindeedparticle (with οὖν)
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunctionοὖν: 'therefore'; μὲν οὖν here 'so then, in fact.'
ὅλωςaltogetheradverb (degree)ὅλως: 'wholly, altogether'; the defeat is total, not partial.
ἥττημαdefeat/lossNominativepredicate nominativeἥττημα: 'defeat, failure, loss' (from ἡσσάομαι, 'be worsted'); the litigation is already a forfeiture of spiritual standing.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedat. of disadvantage
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ὅτιthatconjunction (epexegetic; defines the defeat)
κρίματαlawsuitsAccusativedirect objectκρίμα: 'judgment, lawsuit, legal case'; here the disputes they take to court.
ἔχετεyou havePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ present (customary)ἔχω: 'have'; 'have lawsuits' = are engaged in litigation.
μεθ'withpreposition + genitive (reciprocal association)μετά + gen.: 'with'; with the reflexive, 'with one another.'
ἑαυτῶνone anotherGenitivereflexive used reciprocally (object of μετά)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'oneself'; in the plural used reciprocally, 'one another' — underscoring it is in-house.
διὰbecause of/forpreposition (in idiom διὰ τί, 'why')
τίwhat/whyAccusativeinterrogative (διὰ τί = 'why')τίς: interrogative; διὰ τί = 'on account of what, why.'
οὐχὶnotemphatic negativeοὐχί: emphatic 'not'; 'why not rather…?'
μᾶλλονratheradverb (comparative; preference)μᾶλλον: 'more, rather'; commends the better course — accepting wrong.
ἀδικεῖσθεare you wrongedPres Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἀδικέωmain verb (deliberative-style question)→ present (tolerative middle/passive)ἀδικέω: 'do wrong, injure'; passive 'be wronged' — the tolerative sense, 'let yourselves be wronged.'
διὰbecause of/forpreposition (in idiom διὰ τί, 'why')
τίwhat/whyAccusativeinterrogative (διὰ τί = 'why')
οὐχὶnotemphatic negative
μᾶλλονratheradverb (comparative; preference)
ἀποστερεῖσθεare you defraudedPres Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἀποστερέωmain verb (deliberative-style question)→ present (tolerative middle/passive)ἀποστερέω: 'defraud, rob, deprive'; the financial side of being wronged — better borne than litigated.
8
ἀλλὰ ὑμεῖς ἀδικεῖτε καὶ ἀποστερεῖτε, καὶ τοῦτο ἀδελφούς.
But you yourselves wrong and defraud, and that your own brothers.
The mirror of v.7: far from suffering wrong, they are the active wrongdoers — and the victims are not outsiders but brothers, doubling the offense.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; sharply contrasting the ideal of v.7 with the harsh fact.
ὑμεῖςyou (yourselves)Nominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)the expressed pronoun is emphatic — 'you, of all people.'
ἀδικεῖτεyou wrongPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀδικέωmain verb→ present (customary)ἀδικέω: active 'do wrong, injure'; now they are the perpetrators, not the patient sufferers.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀποστερεῖτεyou defraudPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀποστερέωmain verb→ present (customary)ἀποστερέω: active 'defraud, rob'; the active counterpart to v.7's passive.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (ascensive)
τοῦτοthatAccusativeadverbial accusative ('and that')οὗτος: καὶ τοῦτο, 'and that too' — the aggravating addendum.
ἀδελφούςbrothersAccusativeobject (in apposition to τοῦτο; 'and that to brothers')ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the victims are fellow believers — the wrong is fratricidal to the body.
9
ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ἄδικοι θεοῦ βασιλείαν οὐ κληρονομήσουσιν; μὴ πλανᾶσθε· οὔτε πόρνοι οὔτε εἰδωλολάτραι οὔτε μοιχοὶ οὔτε μαλακοὶ οὔτε ἀρσενοκοῖται
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor passive nor active partners in same-sex acts,
The lawsuits prompt a wider warning: the 'unrighteous' (ἄδικοι, picking up the ἀδικεῖτε of v.8) forfeit the kingdom; a vice-catalogue, common in Hellenistic-Jewish paraenesis, specifies who 'the unrighteous' are.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἢordisjunctive conjunctionἤ: 'or'; the rhetorical 'or do you not know,' linking back to their wrongdoing.
οὐκnotnegative (expects 'yes')
οἴδατεdo you knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (rhetorical question)→ intensive perfect (present sense)οἶδα: 'know'; the refrain again, now introducing solemn doctrine.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
ἄδικοιunrighteousNominativesubject (substantival adj.)ἄδικος: 'unrighteous'; deliberately echoes ἀδικεῖτε (v.8) and the ἀδίκων of v.1 — the wrongdoers are 'the unrighteous.'
θεοῦof GodGenitivepossessive/subjective genitive (fronted)θεός: God; 'kingdom of God' — his reign and the inheritance of the saved.
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativedirect objectβασιλεία: 'kingdom, reign'; the inheritance forfeited by the unrighteous.
οὐnotnegative
κληρονομήσουσινwill inheritFut Act Indic 3 Pl · κληρονομέωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ predictive future (gnomic principle)κληρονομέω: 'inherit, obtain as a possession' (from κλῆρος, 'lot/portion'); the kingdom is an inheritance, not a wage.
μὴnot/do notnegative (with prohibition)
πλανᾶσθεbe deceivedPres Pass Impv 2 Pl · πλανάωmain verb (prohibition)→ present imperative (general prohibition)πλανάω: 'lead astray, deceive'; μὴ πλανᾶσθε is a fixed warning formula — 'stop being misled.'
οὔτεneithercorrelative negative conjunctionοὔτε … οὔτε: 'neither … nor'; introduces the vice-list of those excluded.
πόρνοιthe sexually immoralNominativesubject (resuming ἄδικοι)πόρνος: 'fornicator, sexually immoral person'; the category that frames the whole following section (vv.12–20).
οὔτεnorcorrelative negative conjunction
εἰδωλολάτραιidolatersNominativesubject (list item)εἰδωλολάτρης: 'idolater' (εἴδωλον + λατρεύω); worshiper of images — pivotal at Corinth (chs. 8–10).
οὔτεnorcorrelative negative conjunction
μοιχοὶadulterersNominativesubject (list item)μοιχός: 'adulterer'; one who violates the marriage bond.
οὔτεnorcorrelative negative conjunction
μαλακοὶpassive partnersNominativesubject (list item)μαλακός: lit. 'soft'; here, paired with ἀρσενοκοῖται, of the passive party in male same-sex intercourse.
οὔτεnorcorrelative negative conjunction
ἀρσενοκοῖταιactive partnersNominativesubject (list item)ἀρσενοκοίτης: 'male who beds a male' (ἄρσην + κοίτη); a term coined from the LXX of Lev 18:22 / 20:13.
10
οὔτε κλέπται οὔτε πλεονέκται, οὐ μέθυσοι, οὐ λοίδοροι, οὐχ ἅρπαγες βασιλείαν θεοῦ κληρονομήσουσιν.
nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
The list completes and the main verb 'will not inherit' returns, framing the whole catalogue: these patterns of life, unrepented, are incompatible with the kingdom.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
οὔτεnorcorrelative negative conjunction
κλέπταιthievesNominativesubject (list item)κλέπτης: 'thief'; one who steals by stealth (cf. ἅρπαξ, the open swindler).
οὔτεnorcorrelative negative conjunction
πλεονέκταιthe greedyNominativesubject (list item)πλεονέκτης: 'covetous, greedy person' (πλέον + ἔχω, 'have more'); insatiable acquisitiveness.
οὐnor/notnegative (continuing the list)
μέθυσοιdrunkardsNominativesubject (list item)μέθυσος: 'drunkard'; habitual intemperance (a problem even at the Lord's Supper, 11:21).
οὐnor/notnegative (continuing the list)
λοίδοροιrevilersNominativesubject (list item)λοίδορος: 'reviler, abuser'; the verbally abusive slanderer.
οὐχnor/notnegative (before rough breathing)
ἅρπαγεςswindlersNominativesubject (list item)ἅρπαξ: 'rapacious, robber, extortioner' (from ἁρπάζω, 'seize'); the violent/open plunderer — fittingly last, recalling the ἀποστερεῖτε of v.8.
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativedirect objectβασιλεία: 'kingdom'; the inheritance again named, framing the catalogue.
θεοῦof GodGenitivepossessive genitive
κληρονομήσουσινwill inheritFut Act Indic 3 Pl · κληρονομέωmain verb (resumes v.9)→ predictive future (gnomic principle)κληρονομέω: 'inherit'; the verb returns to close the catalogue with its verdict.
11
καὶ ταῦτά τινες ἦτε· ἀλλὰ ἀπελούσασθε, ἀλλὰ ἡγιάσθητε, ἀλλὰ ἐδικαιώθητε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ πνεύματι τοῦ θεοῦ ἡμῶν.
And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
The pivot of the section: the triple 'but' (ἀλλά) marks the decisive break with the past — washed, sanctified, justified — the indicative of grace grounding the imperatives that follow.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ταῦτάthese things/suchNominativepredicate (neuter, summing the vice-list)οὗτος: 'this'; neuter plural 'such things' — the contemptuous neuter sums up the people of vv.9–10 by their character.
τινεςsomeNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)τις: 'someone, some'; tactfully 'some of you' — not all, yet enough to bring the warning home.
ἦτεyou wereImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ customary imperfect (past state)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦτε marks the settled past condition now decisively ended.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (anaphoric, thrice repeated)ἀλλά: 'but'; the threefold ἀλλά rhetorically hammers the contrast between the old life and the new.
ἀπελούσασθεyou were washedAor Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἀπολούωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive past event)ἀπολούω: 'wash off, wash away' (mid. 'have oneself washed'); cleansing imagery linked to conversion-baptism.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (anaphoric)
ἡγιάσθητεyou were sanctifiedAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἁγιάζωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive past event)ἁγιάζω: 'make holy, consecrate, set apart'; the definitive consecration that constitutes them 'saints' (ἅγιοι, v.1–2).
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (anaphoric)
ἐδικαιώθητεyou were justifiedAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · δικαιόωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive past event)δικαιόω: 'declare/make righteous, justify'; the forensic acquittal — the unrighteous (ἄδικοι) declared righteous (δίκαιοι).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/sphere)
τῷtheDativearticle
ὀνόματιnameDativedat. of means/sphere ('in the name')ὄνομα: 'name'; 'in the name of' — by the authority and saving person of the Lord Jesus.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive (defining the name)κύριος: 'Lord'; the full title bears the saving authority.
ἸησοῦJesusGenitiveapposition
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveapposition
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐνbypreposition + dative (agency/means)
τῷtheDativearticle
πνεύματιSpiritDativedat. of agency/meansπνεῦμα: '(Holy) Spirit'; the divine agent of the washing, sanctifying, justifying — paired with the Lord's name.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source/relationshipθεός: God; 'the Spirit of our God' — the saving work is Trinitarian, of Father, Lord, and Spirit.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
12
Πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλ' οὐ πάντα συμφέρει· πάντα μοι ἔξεστιν, ἀλλ' οὐκ ἐγὼ ἐξουσιασθήσομαι ὑπό τινος.
"All things are lawful for me" — but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful for me" — but I will not be mastered by anything.
A new movement opens, citing a Corinthian slogan ('all things are lawful') and twice qualifying it: liberty is bounded by benefit and by the refusal to be enslaved — the principle governing the body's use.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Πάνταall thingsNominativesubject (neuter pl. substantival)πᾶς: 'all'; neuter plural 'all things' — the sweeping claim of the slogan, likely quoted from the Corinthians.
μοιfor meDativedat. of advantage/reference
ἔξεστινis lawful/permittedPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔξεστι (impersonal)main verb (impersonal)→ stative presentἔξεστι(ν): impersonal 'it is permitted, lawful'; the slogan's claim of unrestricted liberty.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction (Paul's qualification)ἀλλά: 'but'; Paul's corrective riposte to the cited maxim.
οὐnotnegative
πάνταall thingsNominativesubject
συμφέρειis beneficialPres Act Indic 3 Sg · συμφέρωmain verb→ gnomic presentσυμφέρω: 'be profitable, advantageous' (lit. 'bring together'); the criterion of edification limits liberty.
πάνταall thingsNominativesubject (slogan repeated)
μοιfor meDativedat. of advantage/reference
ἔξεστινis lawfulPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔξεστι (impersonal)main verb (impersonal)→ stative present
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction
οὐκnotnegative
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)the expressed ἐγώ is emphatic — 'I, for my part, will not.'
ἐξουσιασθήσομαιwill be masteredFut Pass Indic 1 Sg · ἐξουσιάζωmain verb→ predictive future (resolve)ἐξουσιάζω: 'have authority over'; passive 'be brought under (someone's) authority' — a wordplay with ἔξεστιν, refusing to let permissible things gain mastery.
ὑπόbypreposition + genitive (agency)
τινοςanythingGenitiveobject of ὑπό (agency; indefinite pronoun)τις: 'anyone, anything'; here neuter, 'anything' — no permitted thing may become a master.
13
τὰ βρώματα τῇ κοιλίᾳ, καὶ ἡ κοιλία τοῖς βρώμασιν· ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ ταύτην καὶ ταῦτα καταργήσει. τὸ δὲ σῶμα οὐ τῇ πορνείᾳ ἀλλὰ τῷ κυρίῳ, καὶ ὁ κύριος τῷ σώματι·
"Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food" — but God will abolish both the one and the other. The body, however, is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
A second slogan ('food for the stomach') would treat sex as a mere bodily appetite; Paul severs the analogy — the stomach is transient, but the body is destined for the Lord, who lays his own claim upon it.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
τὰtheNominativearticle
βρώματαfoodsNominativesubject (slogan)βρῶμα: 'food'; the slogan reduces eating (and by extension sex) to natural function.
τῇtheDativearticle
κοιλίᾳstomachDativedat. of purpose/advantage ('for the stomach')κοιλία: 'belly, stomach'; the digestive organ — paired with food in the slogan.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἡtheNominativearticle
κοιλίαstomachNominativesubject
τοῖςtheDativearticle
βρώμασινfoodsDativedat. of purpose ('for foods')
ὁtheNominativearticle
δὲbutadversative/developmental conjunctionδέ: 'but, and'; here adversative, turning the slogan against itself.
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the one who will abolish the transient organs — the body is not so disposable.
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction (καὶ … καί)
ταύτηνthis (one)Accusativedirect object (= the stomach)οὗτος: 'this'; feminine, resuming ἡ κοιλία — the stomach.
καὶandcorrelative conjunction
ταῦταthese (things)Accusativedirect object (= the foods)οὗτος: neuter plural, resuming τὰ βρώματα — the foods.
καταργήσειwill abolishFut Act Indic 3 Sg · καταργέωmain verb→ predictive futureκαταργέω: 'render inoperative, abolish, do away with'; the stomach-and-food order belongs to the passing age.
τὸtheNominativearticle
δὲbut/howeveradversative conjunctionδέ: 'but'; sharply distinguishing the body's destiny from the stomach's.
σῶμαbodyNominativesubject (the topic word of vv.13–20)σῶμα: 'body'; the whole embodied person — not a disposable husk but the Lord's, and destined for resurrection.
οὐnotnegative
τῇtheDativearticle
πορνείᾳfor immoralityDativedat. of purpose (negated)πορνεία: 'sexual immorality'; the body was never made for this — the false inference from the food-slogan.
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction
τῷtheDativearticle
κυρίῳfor the LordDativedat. of purpose/advantageκύριος: 'Lord'; the body's true purpose — belonging to and serving Christ.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubject (verbless clause; 'is for')κύριος: 'Lord'; reciprocity — the Lord himself is 'for the body,' committed to it (and will raise it).
τῷtheDativearticle
σώματιfor the bodyDativedat. of advantageσῶμα: 'body'; the Lord's commitment to the believer's body grounds its dignity.
14
ὁ δὲ θεὸς καὶ τὸν κύριον ἤγειρεν καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐξεγερεῖ διὰ τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ.
And God both raised the Lord and will raise us up by his power.
The body's dignity is anchored eschatologically: the same power that raised the Lord will raise the believer's body — so the body is no mere transient vessel to be abused.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ὁtheNominativearticle
δὲand/nowdevelopmental conjunctionδέ: 'and, now'; advancing the argument from the Lord's claim to the resurrection guarantee.
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the agent of resurrection, by his power.
καὶbothcorrelative conjunction (καὶ … καί)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
κύριονLordAccusativedirect object of ἤγειρενκύριος: 'Lord'; the Lord's bodily resurrection is the pattern and pledge of ours.
ἤγειρενraisedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγείρωmain verb→ constative aorist (historical fact)ἐγείρω: 'raise up, awaken'; the accomplished resurrection of Christ.
καὶalso/andcorrelative conjunction
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of ἐξεγερεῖ
ἐξεγερεῖwill raise upFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξεγείρωmain verb→ predictive futureἐξεγείρω: 'raise up (out)' (ἐκ-intensive of ἐγείρω); the future bodily resurrection of believers.
διὰby/throughpreposition + genitive (means)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
δυνάμεωςpowerGenitiveobject of διά (means)δύναμις: 'power, might'; the resurrection-power of God effecting both raisings.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
15
οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὰ σώματα ὑμῶν μέλη Χριστοῦ ἐστιν; ἄρας οὖν τὰ μέλη τοῦ Χριστοῦ ποιήσω πόρνης μέλη; μὴ γένοιτο.
Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!
Another 'do you not know?' grounds the argument in union with Christ: bodily members belong to him, so to unite them with a prostitute is unthinkable — met with Paul's strongest negation, μὴ γένοιτο.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
οὐκnotnegative (expects 'yes')
οἴδατεdo you knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (rhetorical question)→ intensive perfect (present sense)οἶδα: 'know'; the refrain pivots to the body's union with Christ.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
τὰtheNominativearticle
σώματαbodiesNominativesubjectσῶμα: 'body'; the plural — each believer's body individually belongs to Christ.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
μέληmembersNominativepredicate nominativeμέλος: 'member, limb'; the body parts as belonging to Christ's own body (cf. ch. 12).
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of possession/relationshipΧριστός: 'Christ'; the members belong to him by union.
ἐστινarePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula; neuter pl. subj. takes sg. verb)→ stative present
ἄραςhaving takenAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · αἴρωadverbial ptc. (attendant circumstance)→ constative aorist (antecedent)αἴρω: 'take up, take away, remove'; 'taking the members of Christ' — wresting them from their rightful union.
οὖνtheninferential conjunctionοὖν: 'then, therefore'; drawing the shocking inference.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
μέληmembersAccusativedirect object of ἄραςμέλος: 'member'; the same members now in danger of misuse.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitivegenitive of possession
ποιήσωshall I makeAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (deliberative subjunctive)→ deliberative aorist subjunctiveποιέω: 'make, do'; deliberative 'am I to make?' — posing the unthinkable for emphatic rejection.
πόρνηςof a prostituteGenitivegenitive of possession (fronted)πόρνη: 'prostitute, harlot'; the union the slogan-thinking would permit — utterly incompatible with Christ.
μέληmembersAccusativepredicate accusative (double accusative w/ ποιήσω)μέλος: 'member'; to make Christ's members a prostitute's members — the horror Paul forces into view.
μὴnotnegative (in optative idiom)
γένοιτοmay it be / never!Aor Mid Opt 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (optative of strong negation)→ optative of repudiationγίνομαι: 'become'; μὴ γένοιτο, 'may it never be!' — Paul's idiom of horrified rejection.
16
ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι ὁ κολλώμενος τῇ πόρνῃ ἓν σῶμά ἐστιν; Ἔσονται γάρ, φησίν, οἱ δύο εἰς σάρκα μίαν.
Or do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For it says, "The two shall become one flesh."
Paul grounds the recoil of v.15 in Genesis 2:24: sexual union effects a 'one flesh' bond, so it is no trivial bodily act but a real, profound joining — incompatible with belonging to Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ἢordisjunctive conjunctionἤ: 'or'; introducing yet another 'do you not know.'
οὐκnotnegative (expects 'yes')
οἴδατεdo you knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (rhetorical question)→ intensive perfect (present sense)οἶδα: 'know'; the refrain introduces the 'one body' principle.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
κολλώμενοςwho joins himselfPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κολλάωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (general/gnomic)κολλάω: 'glue, cement, join closely'; pass./mid. 'cling to, be joined to' — the same verb as the LXX of Gen 2:24.
τῇtheDativearticle
πόρνῃprostituteDativedat. complement of κολλώμενοςπόρνη: 'prostitute'; the dative of the one to whom he is joined.
ἓνoneNominativeattributive adjectiveεἷς: 'one'; ἓν σῶμα, 'one body' — the real bodily unity effected.
σῶμάbodyNominativepredicate nominativeσῶμα: 'body'; the union makes them a single bodily entity.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
Ἔσονταιshall be(come)Fut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (quotation of Gen 2:24)→ predictive/gnomic future (citation)εἰμί: 'be'; ἔσονται εἰς, a Semitism 'shall become' — quoting Gen 2:24 LXX.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction (introduces proof)γάρ: 'for'; supplying the scriptural warrant.
φησίνit saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · φημίparenthetical verb of citation→ instantaneous present (citation formula)φημί: 'say'; impersonal 'it says' (sc. Scripture or God) — a citation marker.
οἱtheNominativearticle
δύοtwoNominativesubject (substantival numeral)δύο: 'two'; the two parties of the union.
εἰςinto/to bepreposition + accusative (Semitic predicate)εἰς: 'into'; in εἰς + acc. after γίνομαι/εἰμί, a Hebraism = predicate 'become.'
σάρκαfleshAccusativeobject of εἰς (predicate)σάρξ: 'flesh'; 'one flesh' — the biblical idiom for the marital/sexual union of persons.
μίανoneAccusativeattributive adjectiveεἷς: 'one'; σάρκα μίαν, 'one flesh' (Gen 2:24).
17
ὁ δὲ κολλώμενος τῷ κυρίῳ ἓν πνεῦμά ἐστιν.
But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with him.
The decisive antithesis: union with the Lord is a 'one spirit' bond. The Christian's deepest joining is to Christ; to add a 'one flesh' bond with a prostitute is to set the two in direct conflict.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: 'but'; setting the spiritual union over against the carnal.
κολλώμενοςwho joins himselfPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · κολλάωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (general/gnomic)κολλάω: 'be joined to, cling to'; deliberately the same verb as v.16 — the parallel sharpens the contrast of unions.
τῷtheDativearticle
κυρίῳLordDativedat. complement of κολλώμενοςκύριος: 'Lord'; the one to whom the believer is joined.
ἓνoneNominativeattributive adjectiveεἷς: 'one'; ἓν πνεῦμα, 'one spirit' — the union effected by the indwelling Spirit.
πνεῦμάspiritNominativepredicate nominativeπνεῦμα: 'spirit'; the union with the Lord is at the deepest, Spirit-wrought level.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
18
φεύγετε τὴν πορνείαν. πᾶν ἁμάρτημα ὃ ἐὰν ποιήσῃ ἄνθρωπος ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματός ἐστιν, ὁ δὲ πορνεύων εἰς τὸ ἴδιον σῶμα ἁμαρτάνει.
Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
The argument's first imperative: flee. The supporting maxim sets πορνεία apart — uniquely a sin 'into one's own body,' violating the very thing united to Christ and indwelt by the Spirit.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
φεύγετεfleePres Act Impv 2 Pl · φεύγωmain verb (command)→ present imperative (continual action)φεύγω: 'flee, escape'; the present urges ongoing flight — not negotiation but constant avoidance (cf. Joseph, Gen 39).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πορνείανsexual immoralityAccusativedirect objectπορνεία: 'sexual immorality'; the central vice of the section, now to be fled outright.
πᾶνeveryNominativeattributive adjectiveπᾶς: 'every, all'; introducing the general maxim.
ἁμάρτημαsin/sinful actNominativesubject (with rel. clause)ἁμάρτημα: 'a sin, sinful deed' (the concrete act, vs. ἁμαρτία the principle).
ὃwhich(ever)Accusativerelative pronoun (object of ποιήσῃ)
ἐὰνeverparticle (generalizing the relative)ἐάν: here as ἄν generalizing 'whatever' — ὃ ἐὰν = 'whatever.'
ποιήσῃmay commitAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of indefinite rel. clause (subjunctive)→ constative aorist (generalizing)ποιέω: 'do, commit'; subjunctive in the general relative clause.
ἄνθρωποςa personNominativesubject of ποιήσῃἄνθρωπος: 'human, person'; generic 'anyone.'
ἐκτὸςoutsideimproper preposition + genitive (location)ἐκτός: 'outside, apart from'; other sins are 'external' to the body in a way πορνεία is not.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
σώματόςbodyGenitiveobject of ἐκτόςσῶμα: 'body'; the maxim's pivot — other sins are external to the body.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ gnomic present
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
δὲbutadversative conjunctionδέ: 'but'; marking the exceptional case of πορνεία.
πορνεύωνthe one practising immoralityPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πορνεύωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (general/customary)πορνεύω: 'commit sexual immorality, fornicate'; the one engaged in this sin.
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (disadvantage/direction)εἰς + acc.: here 'against, with respect to' — the sin is directed into the body itself.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἴδιονownAccusativeattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own'; emphasizing that the harm lands on the sinner's very own body.
σῶμαbodyAccusativeobject of εἰςσῶμα: 'body'; the target and victim of πορνεία.
ἁμαρτάνειsinsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἁμαρτάνωmain verb→ gnomic presentἁμαρτάνω: 'sin, miss the mark'; the verb cognate with ἁμάρτημα — closing the maxim.
19
ἢ οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι τὸ σῶμα ὑμῶν ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν ἁγίου πνεύματός ἐστιν, οὗ ἔχετε ἀπὸ θεοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν;
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
The final 'do you not know?' gives the deepest ground: the body is the Spirit's sanctuary, divinely given — so the believer is not self-owned and cannot dispose of the body as he pleases.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἢordisjunctive conjunctionἤ: 'or'; the last of the chapter's rhetorical 'do you not know.'
οὐκnotnegative (expects 'yes')
οἴδατεdo you knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (rhetorical question)→ intensive perfect (present sense)οἶδα: 'know'; the climactic refrain.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of knowing)
τὸtheNominativearticle
σῶμαbodyNominativesubjectσῶμα: 'body'; now declared a sacred dwelling-place.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
ναὸςtemple/sanctuaryNominativepredicate nominativeναός: 'temple, inner sanctuary, shrine'; the holy dwelling — the individual body as the Spirit's temple (cf. 3:16 of the community).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
ἐνinpreposition + dative (indwelling)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν (indwelling sphere)
ἁγίουHolyGenitiveattributive adjectiveἅγιος: 'Holy'; qualifying the indwelling Spirit.
πνεύματόςSpiritGenitivegenitive (the temple's resident)πνεῦμα: '(Holy) Spirit'; the divine occupant whose presence sanctifies the body.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
οὗwhomGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἔχετε, by attraction)
ἔχετεyou havePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (rel. clause)→ stative presentἔχω: 'have, possess'; the Spirit is a possession granted, not earned.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)θεός: God; the Spirit is God's gift — underscoring divine ownership.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative
ἐστὲyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative present
ἑαυτῶνyour ownGenitivepredicate genitive of possession (reflexive)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'oneself'; 'you are not your own' — the believer belongs to another (cf. v.20).
20
ἠγοράσθητε γὰρ τιμῆς· δοξάσατε δὴ τὸν θεὸν ἐν τῷ σώματι ὑμῶν.
For you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.
The ground of non-self-ownership: a purchase price was paid (Christ's death). The section closes with its goal-imperative — the redeemed body is to be the arena of God's glory, not of πορνεία.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἠγοράσθητεyou were boughtAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἀγοράζωmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive act)ἀγοράζω: 'buy, purchase' (from ἀγορά, 'marketplace'); redemption imagery — bought out of bondage, hence belonging to the purchaser.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (grounds v.19b)γάρ: 'for'; supplying the reason you are not your own.
τιμῆςwith a priceGenitivegenitive of priceτιμή: 'price, value, honor'; the genitive of price — a costly purchase (Christ's blood, cf. 7:23).
δοξάσατεglorifyAor Act Impv 2 Pl · δοξάζωmain verb (command)→ constative aorist imperative (decisive summons)δοξάζω: 'glorify, honor, praise'; the aorist imperative calls for definite, whole-life action — make God's glory the aim of bodily life.
δὴthen/indeedparticle (urgency/inference)δή: emphatic particle, 'now, then, indeed'; lending urgency to the command — 'so by all means glorify.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θεὸνGodAccusativedirect objectθεός: God; the one to be glorified — the rightful owner of the redeemed body.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/means)
τῷtheDativearticle
σώματιbodyDativedat. of sphere/means (the arena of glory)σῶμα: 'body'; the redeemed, Spirit-indwelt body is the very place where God is to be glorified — the section's resolving note.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession