1 Corinthians 6:18

Flee. The Greek indicates a habitual, continuous attitude and action. That is, make it a habit to flee. Do not stop to parley with the temper when he confronts you with any kind of invitation to indulge in immorality. It is dangerous to hesitate and argue with conscience; determined, immediate flight from the temptation is the only safe course to take (see CH 587). This injunction to make no attempt to stand and argue with the temptation to impurity but to turn and flee from it cannot be disregarded with impunity. The temptation to fornication may often prove so subtle that a person is safe only by fleeing from it. He is free from pollution only when he refuses to harbor an immoral thought; secure only when he turns his eyes away from any object that might suggest an impure thought (see 2 Sam. 11:2-4; Job 31:1; Prov. 6:23-26; Matt. 5:27-29). There is no other way to avoid the pollution of fornication than that stated by Paul, and no one is safe who refuses to follow this instruction. Joseph demonstrated the importance of flight from this evil thing (see Gen. 39:7-12; 5T 596). Many individuals would be saved from tears, remorse, poverty, want, disease, and lifelong misery if only they would give heed to the words, “Flee fornication.”

Fornication. Gr. pomeia, a general term for all forms of illicit sexual intercourse.

Without the body. The exact meaning of the contrast here set forth is not clear, but the general meaning is apparent. No sin defiles the body as does fornication. No sin has its origin in, and is within, the body in the same dreadful way that fornication is. Paul here presents the fourth argument against licentiousness (cf. on vs. 13, 14, 15). The more immediate effect of sins such as theft, falsehood, covetousness, is on the mind, but impurity directly affects the body itself. Although things like drunkenness and gluttony are sins done in and by the body, they are introduced from without the body. But in committing fornication the body is used as the direct agent of the crime. This abominable sin is peculiarly hateful because it interferes with the beautiful and symbolic unity of marriage. God intends that marriage shall be a lifelong union of one man with one woman that nothing shall break (see Gen. 2:23, 24; Rom. 7:2, 3), which union represents the one between Christ and His church (see Eph. 5:25-32). See on Matt. 5:28-32; 19:5-9.