Article from the East Main Messenger, dated 8/17/2025.
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12
The ESV presents “All things are lawful for me” in quotes because it is thought by some that Paul was responding to a view expressed by some in the church in Corinth that they were free to do whatever they wanted and the apostle was simply quoting those among them which had expressed that belief. “Lawful” (exestin) is defined by Colin Brown’s Dictionary of New Testament Theology to mean, “He is free to do anything.”
Paul shows that this idea is flawed by first pointing out to the Corinthians that there are in fact some things that are very wrong (1 Cor. 6:9-10), and that they had already repented of them when they obeyed the gospel and were added to the church (1 Cor. 6:11; cf. Acts 17:30; 22:16; John 17:17; Rom. 5:9). Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4), i.e., breaking the laws and directives of God which are revealed in Scripture. Therefore, the concept that “all things are lawful for me” (1 Cor. 6:12a) is false because sin exists and God’s command to repent of sin also exists.
The Christians in Corinth should have known not to think that they were free to do anything they wished. After all, they had previously been involved in various unrighteous acts but had heeded the gospel teachings to turn away from those sins. The fact that in just a short time after their conversion they had deceived themselves into thinking that they were not obligated to restrain themselves in any way shows how easy it is for us to not think things through and act impulsively (cf. 2 Cor. 13:5; Is. 1:18a).
The apostle gives another reason as to why it is not true that “all things are lawful for me” when he adds, “but not all things are helpful” (1 Cor. 6:12b). “Helpful” (symphero) is defined by the Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament as that which is “useful, advantageous.” Paul’s point seems to be, “Corinthians, you believe Christians can do whatever they want. Even if you were correct (which you’re not), not everything you would do would be helpful.”
There is a lesson in this for us, Christians. There are some things which God has not decreed are sinful, meaning that we have the freedom to do them. Even so, we should pause beforehand and ask ourselves if exercising this freedom would be advantageous to the cause of Christ. “If I say or do this, would it help those who observe me to go to heaven?” is a good maxim by which to live our lives (cf. 1 Cor. 10:23).
Paul cites another reason why the concept that “all things are lawful for me” is erroneous by adding, “but I will not be dominated by anything” (1 Cor. 6:12c). “Be dominated” (exousiazo) carries with it the idea of being controlled, of someone or something having complete authority over you. This is one reason why addiction to drugs and alcohol is sinful. As we will see next week, the context of this passage shows that some in this church were addicted to sexual immorality and were seeking to justify it. When we allow sinful activities to control us, when we become slaves to sin, we are no longer slaves of Christ (Rom. 6:16-18). If we are truly slaves of Jesus, then we will know and accept that “all things” are indeed NOT “lawful for me.”
Beyond that, there are many things which are inherently innocent but can still lead us to put God on the backburner if we allow them to take up more and more of our attention and time. For example, it’s not inherently sinful to watch the news or sports events, go fishing, read books, or listen to music with non-vulgar lyrics. However, such activities lose their innocence when we allow them to control us to the point where our first and only impulse during free time is to turn on Fox or ESPN, pick up our favorite novel and go out on the dock to catch some bass, or listen to our favorite artist…all while giving little thought or inclination to Bible study, prayer, doing good for our brethren and those in need, and sharing Jesus with the lost.
What dominates you, Christian? Jesus…or something else?
— Jon
To read Jon’s series on 1 Corinthians from the beginning and many other articles, visit https://predenominationalchristianity.com.