#8 - Bought with a Price - You Are Not Your Own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

In this episode of Navigate The Way, Gabe and Dave dive into a truth that shakes the foundation of how we see ourselves: you are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 confronts us with the reality that our bodies were redeemed by Christ and belong to Him.

As your hosts peel back the layers of this passage, they reveal the deeper implications of what it means to be bought with a price. What does it mean for your body to be a temple? How does this shape the way you live, make decisions, and honor God in your daily actions?

Gabe and Dave bring clarity to these questions, exploring how God’s ownership of our bodies is not just a theological concept but a life-changing truth.

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This show is named after Navigate The Way ✝️, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. This show is named after Navigate The Way ✝️, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. To check out the tool, visit: https://www.navtheway.com/.

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Transcript

### Gabe Langston: 
G'day, listeners! Welcome back to Navigate The Way, the podcast where we dive into the depths of Scripture, uncovering truths that not only shape our faith but transform how we live in light of the gospel. I’m Gabe Langston, your co-host, and as always, I want to remind you to like, subscribe, and share this podcast with others who are passionate about knowing Christ through His Word. 

Today’s episode brings us to a passage that has profound implications for our understanding of our bodies, our purpose, and how we honor God in the everyday: First Corinthians chapter 6, verses 19 and 20. I’d like to take a moment to thank Ryan Jockers from our development team for suggesting this passage as the scriptural fuel for today’s discussion. It’s an excellent choice!

Let’s read the passage before diving in: 

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

This text speaks to the very essence of how we, as believers, ought to understand our physical bodies in relation to our spiritual life. Dave, I’d like to start by asking—what strikes you most when you first encounter this passage?

### Dave Brooks: 
Thanks for asking, Gabe. I'm Dave Brooks, and it’s a joy to join you for this deep dive. This passage stands out because of its startling clarity—Paul's bold assertion that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit cuts to the heart of how we view ourselves as Christians. What immediately catches my attention is the way Paul connects our physical bodies to the very presence of God. He isn’t just saying, "Take care of your body" in a superficial sense; he's grounding that instruction in the profound truth that our bodies belong to God—they are a dwelling place for His Spirit.

We often think of temples as places of worship and reverence, but Paul is telling the Corinthians—and us—that we carry that sacred space within ourselves. It's a transformative view that radically shifts how we understand personal holiness and daily living. I think this is a crucial point, especially in a world that tends to compartmentalize the spiritual from the physical. Paul won’t allow us to do that—he’s weaving them together. What do you think about the broader context here, Gabe? How does this passage fit into Paul’s larger argument in this chapter?

### Gabe Langston: 
You’re absolutely right, Dave. The immediate context of First Corinthians chapter 6 is essential to understanding the weight of Paul’s words here. The Corinthians were dealing with issues of sexual immorality, and Paul has been addressing that directly in the verses leading up to this. He’s making the point that what we do with our bodies matters—not just in a moral sense, but in a profoundly spiritual one. 

The Corinthians, influenced by the surrounding Greek culture, may have seen the body as something separate from the spirit, almost inconsequential when it came to issues of faith. But Paul dismantles that idea. He brings in this beautiful and shocking truth that our bodies, far from being unimportant or merely physical, are actually temples—places where God Himself resides through His Holy Spirit.

Paul’s argument in chapter 6 culminates here. He’s saying that because we belong to God—because we’ve been purchased at a great cost—we must honor Him in our bodies. There’s a strong theological thread here that ties back to redemption. The body is not merely a vessel to be discarded or used for selfish purposes. It’s something that has been redeemed by Christ’s blood. How do you see this fitting into the broader redemptive framework, Dave?

### Dave Brooks: 
Great point, Gabe. When we zoom out to the redemptive-historical perspective, we can see how this passage fits into the grand narrative of Scripture. From the very beginning, in Genesis, God created humanity in His image—body and soul. The physical creation wasn’t an afterthought; it was part of His good design. But with the fall, both body and spirit were affected by sin. Yet, through Christ’s work on the cross, God didn’t just redeem our souls; He redeemed the whole person—body and spirit.

Paul’s reminder that we were “bought with a price” brings us back to the cross, where Jesus paid the ultimate price for our redemption. This purchase wasn’t partial—it was total. Our entire being—body and soul—belongs to Him. In this sense, the idea of our bodies being temples ties into the broader redemptive arc of Scripture. Just as the temple in the Old Testament was a place where God’s glory dwelt, now, through the Spirit, God’s glory dwells within His people. 

This reality transforms how we live in the here and now. Our bodies aren’t just temporary shells; they are integral to our sanctification, part of God’s ongoing work of making us more like Christ. Gabe, what are your thoughts on how this passage challenges us in practical terms?

### Gabe Langston: 
That’s exactly right, Dave. This passage confronts us with the truth that every aspect of our lives—including how we treat and use our bodies—is meant to glorify God. It’s not just about avoiding sin or immorality, though that’s certainly part of it. It’s about living in a way that reflects the sacredness of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. 

Practically speaking, this means we should think carefully about how we steward our physical health, how we use our bodies in service to others, and even how we handle rest and care for ourselves. But it also means rejecting the mindset that treats our bodies as something disposable or detached from our faith. We glorify God when we recognize that our bodies belong to Him—when we honor Him with our choices, our habits, and our actions.

This has implications not just for personal morality but for how we engage with a culture that often treats the body as an instrument for self-pleasure or, conversely, as something to be discarded or manipulated at will. How do you see Paul’s words addressing some of the contemporary cultural issues we face today, Dave?

### Dave Brooks: 
That’s a crucial point, Gabe. In our contemporary culture, there’s a pervasive attitude that the body is either an object of self-gratification or a blank canvas on which we can project our desires and identities. This stands in stark contrast to the biblical teaching we find here in First Corinthians. Paul’s words challenge the prevailing notions of body autonomy and self-expression, reminding us that we are not our own. 

This idea of autonomy—that we have the ultimate authority over our bodies—is deeply embedded in modern thought. But Paul cuts through that with the simple yet profound truth: "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price." In a culture that says, “Do what you want with your body—it’s yours,” Paul says, “No, your body belongs to the Lord.” This isn’t a message of oppression or restriction but one of freedom—the freedom to live as God intended, with our bodies glorifying Him in all we do.

This passage also addresses the issue of identity, especially in a time when people are increasingly finding their identity in their physical appearance, gender expression, or sexual choices. Paul redirects that search for identity to its proper foundation: we find our true identity in Christ. Our bodies, as temples of the Holy Spirit, are not ours to define or manipulate. They are sacred, redeemed, and purposed for God's glory. Gabe, how do you see this playing out in the church’s role in teaching and pastoral care?

### Gabe Langston: 
Spot on, Dave. The church has a vital role in teaching and modeling what it means to honor God with our bodies. This isn’t just about avoiding the extremes of asceticism or indulgence; it’s about cultivating a biblical view of the body as a sacred gift from God. In pastoral care, we must help believers understand that how they treat their bodies—whether through diet, exercise, sexual purity, or even their thought life—is part of their spiritual walk. It’s a holistic approach to discipleship.

But there’s also a need for grace. Many people struggle with issues related to body image, addiction, or sexual sin. The church must be a place where these struggles are met with truth and compassion—truth about God’s design and redemption of the body, and compassion that reflects the grace of Christ. After all, Paul’s call to glorify God in our bodies flows directly out of the fact that we’ve been bought with a price. Our motivation isn’t guilt-driven but grace-driven.

In the same way, the church can be a beacon of light in a world that often views the body through a lens of exploitation or idolatry. We can show a better way—a way of honoring the body because it belongs to the Lord. Dave, how do you see this passage informing an apologetic approach when engaging with a culture that holds such drastically different views on the body?

### Dave Brooks: 
You’ve nailed it, Gabe. This passage offers a robust framework for apologetics, particularly when engaging with a culture that often views the body in utilitarian or hedonistic terms. First Corinthians chapter 6, verses 19 and 20, provides a clear and compelling argument for the inherent dignity of the body—rooted not in individual autonomy but in divine ownership.

When engaging with non-believers, we can point to the fact that Christianity offers a holistic view of the body and soul that is far more dignifying than what culture offers. The secular view often reduces the body to a mere tool for pleasure or a canvas for self-expression, devoid of any intrinsic meaning. But the biblical view affirms that the body is not only good but sacred because God created it, redeemed it, and indwells it through His Spirit.

This also helps address the existential questions that people wrestle with today. Questions of identity, purpose, and value are all tied to how we view the body. When we understand that our bodies belong to God, we find purpose—not in self-gratification but in glorifying Him. And in doing so, we actually find the deepest fulfillment. This is a powerful apologetic for a culture searching for meaning in all the wrong places. What do you think, Gabe, about how this passage shapes the believer’s daily spiritual formation?

### Gabe Langston: 
This passage is foundational for daily spiritual formation, Dave. It reminds us that every day, in every decision, we have the opportunity to glorify God with our bodies. Whether we’re talking about what we eat, how we use our time, or how we interact with others, it’s all connected to this larger call to honor God with our whole selves. 

Spiritual formation isn’t just about the “inner” life—it’s about how our faith shapes our actions, including how we steward our physical bodies. This passage calls us to view every aspect of life, even the mundane, through the lens of worship. When we wake up in the morning, we can ask ourselves, “How can I glorify God today in the way I use the body He has given me?” It’s a question that keeps us grounded in the reality that our bodies are not ours—they are God’s.

This daily awareness transforms how we approach everything from health to relationships to rest. It keeps us mindful that we live, move, and breathe for God's glory, not our own. Dave, do you have any final thoughts as we wrap up today’s discussion?

### Dave Brooks: 
It’s been a rich conversation, Gabe. My final thought would be this: Paul's words in First Corinthians chapter 6, verses 19 through 20, should deeply shape how we understand our bodies—not as objects for personal use, but as sacred temples belonging to God. This truth has far-reaching implications for how we live, how we treat others, and how we engage with a culture that desperately needs a higher view of the body.

I encourage our listeners to reflect on this passage throughout the week. Consider how you can honor God with your body—whether in your habits, your health, or your relationships. And remember, this is not about striving in your own strength; it’s about walking in the freedom that comes from knowing you have been bought with a price, and you belong to the Lord.

With that, be sure to like and subscribe so you won’t miss any future episodes. This show is named after Navigate The Way ✝️, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. The personas for both Gabe and I, as well as the content of this episode, were all AI-generated using Navigate The Way ✝️. A special thanks to ElevenLabs for our AI-generated voices.