Freedom in Christ: All Things Permissible But Not Profitable | 1 Corinthians 6:12
Memory Verse
All things are permissible to me, but not all things are profitable. All things are permissible to me, but I will not be under the authority of any (1 Corinthians 6:12).
“Permissible”, often translated as “lawful,” expresses what comes out from me. Thus, it conveys what is fitting, authorized, or feasible in a person’s actions. This word has nothing to do with maintaining the law or being subject to it.
As Christians, we are not subject to the basic principles of the world system: touch not, taste not, handle not (Colossians 2:20–21). In this freedom, we must be cautious not to let the things we permit gain authority over us. Paul is not referring to unrighteousness or sin in a Christian’s life. We have died with Christ and are raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4–6). The things of the old man are to be put away from us like old rags (Colossians 3:9). Our liberty is not to be used as a cloak for doing wrong or for an opportunity for the flesh (1 Peter 2:16; Galatians 5:13).
The placement of sons puts the Christian in a position where he is expected to act in a proper, mature manner, not to dictate his conduct by Law. He has been given all things pertaining to life and godliness so that he is able to live out the life he now has in Christ (Ephesians 1:5; Hebrews 5:14; 2 Peter 1:3–4). Thus, we are to discipline ourselves so that we are not disqualified in what we permit in our lives (1 Corinthians 9:27).
We are not to permit the things we allow in our lives to gain authority over us. In all that we do, we are to give no offense to the Jew, Gentile, and Church of God (1 Corinthians 10:32). Being free from all men, we are to be wise enough not to let our liberty hinder the gospel. Thus, we conduct the manner of our lives so that we do not cause offense while maintaining proper conduct related to who we are in Christ (1 Corinthians 9:20).