Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 6:12

"All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any." — 1 Corinthians 6:12 (ASV)

All things are lawful unto me. The apostle here evidently makes a transition to another subject from that which he had been discussing—a consideration of the propriety of using certain things that had been considered lawful.

The expression, "all things are lawful," is to be understood as used by those who excused certain indulgences, or who vindicated the vices referred to here, and Paul intends to reply to them.

His reply follows. He had been reproving them for their vices and had specified several. It is not to be supposed that they would indulge in them without some justification; and the declaration here seems much like a proverb, or a common saying—that all things were lawful; that is, "God has formed all things for our use, and there can be no evil if we use them."

The phrase "all things" here may perhaps mean many things, or things in general, or that there is nothing in itself unlawful.

There can be no doubt that many immoral persons held this sentiment. Though it cannot be supposed that any in the Christian church would openly advocate it, Paul's intention was to refute the plea altogether, wherever it might be urged, and to show that it was false and unfounded.

The particular things to which Paul refers here are those that have been called adiaphoristic, or indifferent; that is, pertaining to certain meats and drinks, and so on.

With this, Paul also connects the subject of fornication—the subject particularly under discussion. This was defended as "lawful" by many Greeks, was practiced at Corinth, and was the vice to which the Corinthian Christians were particularly exposed.

Paul intended to address all that could be said on this subject and to show them that these indulgences could not be proper for Christians and could not in any way be defended.

We are not to understand Paul as admitting that fornication is in any case lawful; instead, he intends to show that the practice cannot possibly be defended in any way, or by any of the arguments that had been or could be used. For this purpose, he observes:

1. That admitting all things were lawful, there were many things which should not be indulged in;

2. That admitting they were lawful, yet a man should not be under the power of any improper indulgence, and should abandon any habit when it had mastery over him;

3. That fornication was positively wrong, and against the very nature and essence of Christianity (1 Corinthians 6:13–20).

Are not expedient. This is the first answer to the objection. Even if we admit that the practices under discussion are lawful, there are still many things that are not expedient; that is, which do not profit, as the word sumferei properly signifies. They are injurious and hurtful. They might injure the body, produce scandal, or lead others to offend or to sin.

Such was the case with regard to the use of certain meats and even wine. Paul's rule on this subject is stated in 1 Corinthians 8:13: if these things caused injury to others, he would abandon them forever, even if they were in themselves lawful. (See Barnes on 1 Corinthians 8:1 and following, and Romans 14:14 and following.)

There are many customs that, perhaps, cannot be strictly proven to be unlawful or sinful, which nevertheless cause injury in some way if indulged in. Since indulging in them can do no good, they should be abandoned. Anything that does evil—however small—and no good, should be abandoned at once.

All things are lawful. Admitting this, or even supposing that all things are in themselves right.

But I will not be brought under the power. I will not be subdued by it; I will not become its slave.

Of any. Of any custom or habit, no matter what it is. This was Paul's rule—the rule of an independent mind. The principle was that even admitting that certain things were in themselves right, his grand purpose was not to be the slave of habit, not to be subdued by any practice that might corrupt his mind, fetter his energies, or destroy his freedom as a man and as a Christian. We may observe:

1. That this is a good rule to act on. It was Paul's rule (1 Corinthians 9:27), and it will serve us as well as it did him.

2. It is the true rule of an independent and noble mind. It requires a high order of virtue and is the only way in which one may be useful and active.

3. It may be applied to many things now. Many a Christian and Christian minister is a slave and is completely under the power of some habit that destroys their usefulness and happiness. They are the SLAVE of indolence, or carelessness, or of some VILE HABIT—such as the use of tobacco or wine. They do not have enough independence to break the cords that bind them; and the consequence is that life is passed in indolence or self-indulgence, and time, strength, and property are wasted, religion is blighted, and souls are ruined.

4. The person who does not have enough courage and firmness to act on this rule should doubt their piety. If they are a voluntary slave to some idle and mischievous habit, how can they be a Christian? If they do not love their Savior and the souls of men enough to break off from such habits which they know are doing injury, how are they fit to be a minister of the self-denying Redeemer?