Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 6:16
Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers during a pastoral correction regarding sexual ethics and bodily conduct. He speaks at the moment of clarifying how physical union operates in contrast to spiritual union with Christ.
The words — The Greek term κολλώμενος (kollōmenos) literally means "is being joined" or "clung to," describing a physical binding. Paul uses this verb to state that the act creates a tangible bodily unity, not a metaphorical or merely social connection.
The thread — Paul grounds his argument in the creation narrative, citing Genesis 2:24, which is also quoted in Ephesians 5:31 and Mark 10:8. This phrase establishes the biblical baseline for what "one flesh" union entails.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that physical intimacy with a prostitute creates an actual bodily union, directly contradicting any view that isolates physical acts from spiritual consequences. It requires the reader to treat the body as a tangible sphere of moral accountability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
Cross-references
- Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
- Ephesians 5:31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
- Mark 10:8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.
- Matthew 19:5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?
- Matthew 21:31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.
- Genesis 34:31 But they replied, “Should he have treated our sister like a prostitute?”
- Genesis 38:24 About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!”
- Judges 16:1 One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute and went in to spend the night with her.
- Hebrews 11:31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.
- Genesis 38:15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face.