1 Corinthians 6:11
What is written? (ESV)
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
What does it say?
Some of you were engaged in these sinful practices, but you have been cleansed (of sin), set apart (e.g. made holy), and justified through the authority of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit.
What is its immediate context?
Paul is addressing the brethren of Corinth that are relatively new to the faith. He lists several sinful practices of the “unrighteous” (vss 9-10) – practices that some in Corinth had taken part of but had turned from them in their conversion.
How 1 Corinthians 6:11 is applied across Bible answers
Can someone receive the Holy Spirit before being saved?
Paul references the fact that these Corinthians were baptized with water ("washed") and thereby made holy ("sanctified" or set apart) in the name of Jesus and "by the Spirit of our God."
Paul later concludes (vss 19-20) by emphasizing the fact that their "body is a temple of the Holy Spirit...from God."
Top 4: Results of baptism?
Baptism (e.g. "washed") sets one apart (e.g. "sanctified") and justifies them before God.
What is the purpose of baptism?
Paul connects their baptism (e.g. "washed") with being set apart and reconciled [to God].
Paul has just enumerated several sinful acts that will exclude those committing them from "inheriting the kingdom of God" (vss 9-10). Therefore, being "washed" does not guarantee but makes one eligible to inherit the kingdom of God.
Where do we see the personality of the Godhead?
Paul calls out some specific roles of the Godhead in a Christian's salvation.
