1 Corinthians 6:13

Meats. Gr. bromata, “foods,” any kind of food, not necessarily flesh food, though this may be included. When the KJV was first published, the English word “meat” had this same meaning, “food,” and it is frequently used in this way in Scripture (see Gen. 1:29, 30; Ps. 42:3; Eze. 47:12; Dan. 4:12; Hab. 3:17; Matt. 9:10; 14:9; Luke 14:10; 1 Cor. 8:10; etc.). God provides food for man’s use, and He made man’s stomach for the digestion of food. Man has the right to satisfy his appetite for food. However, although God has given man the appetite for food and made provision for it to be satisfied, the Christian is not at liberty to eat whatever his appetite may desire, irrespective of quantity and quality. He is under obligation to remember that he is purchased by the blood of Christ, and it is his duty to keep his body in the best possible condition (see 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18, 19; Rev. 5:9; CH 41).

Destroy. Literally, “bring to nought.” Believers will not give their chief consideration to that which is to be destroyed, but will prepare themselves for eternal life by the cultivation of a character that will meet with the approval of God. Temperance will be practiced by those who are anxious to have clear minds and healthy bodies. Unlimited indulgence in eating, even of the best kinds of food, prevents one from enjoying good health, and also interferes with the understanding and appreciation of spiritual truth. He who is aware of the joy of communion with God will not permit his mental and spiritual faculties to be dulled by gluttonous gratification of the appetite for food (cf. ch. 9:27). Men ought to be thankful for the provision made by God to supply the body’s needs for food. Hence, they should eat intelligently, in order to obtain strength to serve the Lord efficiently and to discharge their duties in this world.

Not for fornication. Although the stomach is designed and intended to be used for the digestion of food, the body is not designed for licentiousness. It is to be devoted to the Lord’s service. The remaining portion of this chapter consists of an argument against immorality — an evil to which the Corinthians were specially exposed. No doubt the believers were conscious of the wickedness of licentiousness, but they lived among people who not only practiced it but considered it a part of their normal living (cf. Num. 25:1-8; Rev. 2:14). Hence the Scriptures present strong arguments against that vice. This instruction would, if heeded, (1) guard them against temptation, (2) enable them to oppose effectively those who defended it, and (3) settle the morality of the problem on an immovable basis. The argument presented in this epistle is as follows: Man was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), for His glory (see 1 Cor. 6:20; Rev. 4:11), to reflect the divine image (see Eph. 4:13; EW 71), and to demonstrate God’s power (see 1 Peter 2:9; 4:14); therefore the Christian is under obligation to preserve his body undefiled, that it may be a fitting offering to present to the Lord (see Rom. 12:1). Apparently there were those who argued that there is a parallel between the use of food by the stomach and the use of the body for sensual indulgence. However, although the stomach is intended by God for taking care of food, and must have a regular supply in order to function, the body was not made for the gratification of sensual desires, but for the Lord (see 1 Cor. 6:15; Eph. 5:23, 29, 30). This is Paul’s first of six arguments against impurity (see on 1 Cor. 6:14,15,18).