1 Corinthians 6:17

King James Version (KJV)

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Is one spirit - He who is united to God, by faith in Christ Jesus, receives his Spirit, and becomes a partaker of the Divine nature. Who can change such a relationship for communion with a harlot; or for any kind of sensual gratification? He who can must be far and deeply fallen!

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

But he that is joined to the Lord - The true Christian, united by faith to the Lord Jesus; see John 15:1 ff.

Is one spirit - That is, in a sense similar to that in which a man and his wife are one body. It is not to be taken literally; but the sense is, that there is a close and intimate union; they are united in feeling, spirit, intention, disposition. The argument is beautiful. It is, “As the union of souls is more important than that of bodies; as that union is more lasting, dear, and enduring than any union of body with body can be, and as our union with him is with a Spirit pure and holy, it is improper that we should sever that tie, and break that sacred bond, by being joined to a harlot. The union with Christ is more intimate, entire, and pure than that can be between a man and woman; and that union should be regarded as sacred and inviolable.” O, if all Christians felt and regarded this as they should, how would they shrink from the connections which they often form on earth! Compare Ephesians 4:4.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Some among the Corinthians seem to have been ready to say, All things are lawful for me. This dangerous conceit St. Paul opposes. There is a liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, in which we must stand fast. But surely a Christian would never put himself into the power of any bodily appetite. The body is for the Lord; is to be an instrument of righteousness to holiness, therefore is never to be made an instrument of sin. It is an honour to the body, that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead; and it will be an honour to our bodies, that they will be raised. The hope of a resurrection to glory, should keep Christians from dishonouring their bodies by fleshly lusts. And if the soul be united to Christ by faith, the whole man is become a member of his spiritual body. Other vices may be conquered in fight; that here cautioned against, only by flight. And vast multitudes are cut off by this vice in its various forms and consequences. Its effects fall not only directly upon the body, but often upon the mind. Our bodies have been redeemed from deserved condemnation and hopeless slavery by the atoning sacrifice of Christ. We are to be clean, as vessels fitted for our Master's use. Being united to Christ as one spirit, and bought with a price of unspeakable value, the believer should consider himself as wholly the Lord's, by the strongest ties. May we make it our business, to the latest day and hour of our lives, to glorify God with our bodies, and with our spirits which are his.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

17. Unto the Lord. Verses 16, 17 are in direct contrast to each other. They set forth two directly opposed conditions that are wholly incompatible with each other. He who loves and trusts the Lord seeks to unite himself with Him in every way possible. He actively rejects everything that displeases God, and accepts only that which is in harmony with His will. This joining of himself with Christ is a constant activity, one that becomes his all-absorbing interest. The act of fornication, whereby the body is joined to a harlot, is temporary. But the character is degraded by the act. Though the union is a physical one, it reduces the participants to the very lowest moral level. On the other hand, union with Christ lifts the believer to the highest moral and spiritual level. It is intended to be a lasting union in which the mind of Jesus becomes the mind of the believer, which is thus completely united with the will of God. He desires nothing more than to be the agent through which the will of God finds expression in human thought, word, and deed (see COL 312). This joining to the Lord, here described by Paul, is another way of defining righteousness by faith. It is a beautiful statement of the mysterious transformation that takes place when the sinner lifts his eyes to Christ and by faith lays hold of the promise found in Jer. 31:33, 34. Jesus described this union under the figure of a vine and its branches (see on John 15:1, 4, 5). The believer does not lose his identity and personality, but he joins himself to Christ in such a way that he thinks Christ’s thoughts with Him, and desires the things Christ desires and does the things Christ would do were He on earth. This experience is further likened to the marriage union (see Eph. 5:22-33). The union between a man and a woman in marriage should be regarded as sacred and unchangeable. The union between Christ and the believer is more intimate, rich, pure, and complete than any earthly marriage could be.

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Ellen G. White
That I May Know Him, 308.2

The Scriptures furnish abundant evidence that it is safer to be joined to the Lord and lose the favor and friendship of the world, than to look to the world for favor and support and forget our dependence upon God.... TMK 308.2

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Ellen G. White
Counsels on Health, 587

It is the lack of harmonious action in the human organism that brings disease. The imagination may control the other parts of the body to their injury. All parts of the system must work harmoniously. The different parts of the body, especially those remote from the heart, should receive a free circulation of blood. The limbs act an important part and should receive proper attention. CH 587.1

God is the great caretaker of the human machinery. In the care of our bodies we must co-operate with Him. Love for God is essential for life and health. In order to have perfect health our hearts must be filled with hope and love and joy. CH 587.2

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1 Corinthians 6:17