1 Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1 Corinthians 6:12
Paul writes, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” This is a nuanced response to a Corinthian attitude of freedom in Christ. Some used “all things are lawful” to justify all sorts of personal liberties, including practices that might be detrimental or enslaving. Paul concedes that freedom exists in Christ, but emphasizes discernment and self-control. The phrase “expedient” signals practical wisdom: not everything permissible is prudent, and Christians are called to worship and love God by shaping desires under the lordship of Christ, so as not to be mastered by anything—whether appetite, status, or wealth. The broader context is Celtic-like in Corinth: freedom without responsibility leads to bondage.
Theologically, this verse centers on freedom, stewardship of liberty, and the power of grace to reorient desires. It challenges legalistic or libertine extremes by calling for wise self-governance under the Spirit. The concept of being “under the power of any” echoes the biblical motif of being enslaved to sin or to worldly desires; true freedom is liberation from all enslavers through Christ.
Practically: examine what controls you—food, money, technology, approval, or relational drama. If something governs your time or emotions more than God does, seek accountability and live with boundaries. Apply to daily life: choose boundaries at work, media consumption, and social media usage, or decide not to participate in activities that enslave you to peer pressure or unhealthy cravings.
Cross-References: Romans 6:12-14; Galatians 5:1; 1 Peter 2:16; Titus 2:11-12