The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 6:10 Explained

1 Corinthians 6:10

KJV: Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

YLT: nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, the reign of God shall inherit.

Darby: nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor abusive persons, nor the rapacious, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

ASV: nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Nor  thieves,  nor  covetous,  nor  drunkards,  nor  revilers,  nor  extortioners,  shall inherit  the kingdom  of God. 

What does 1 Corinthians 6:10 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 6:1-11 - Settling Differences Between Brethren
The Apostle was clearly of the opinion that it was wiser for a Christian to bear injustice and wrong than to go to law before a heathen tribunal. It would have been a happy solution of myriads of disputes if his advice had been followed. Where a course of lawless crime has to be arrested in the interests of the weak and defenseless, it is necessary to call in the law and police to vindicate and protect; but when our private, personal and individual interests alone are concerned, we should be wise to submit our case to arbitration or suffer patiently.
Who are the heirs of the kingdom of heaven, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11? Do not inquire into their past history. There are pages in their lives that had better be obliterated and forgotten; or, if remembered, they should be the foil to set forth the matchless grace and love of God. Yes, that grace shall be our theme forever, when we recall the depths out of which it lifted us, and the heights to which it raised us. Let us note that the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit are named together. It is by the Holy Spirit that we become possessed of the nature of our Lord, which takes the place of our old evil nature and empowers us to repeat His life. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 6

1  The Corinthians must take their brothers to court;
6  especially under infidels
9  The wicked shall not inherit the kingdom of God
15  Our bodies are the members of Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit:
19  they must not therefore be defiled

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 6:10 mean?

nor thieves coveters not drunkards nor verbal abusers nor swindlers [the] kingdom of God will inherit
οὔτε κλέπται πλεονέκται οὐ μέθυσοι οὐ λοίδοροι οὐχ ἅρπαγες βασιλείαν Θεοῦ κληρονομήσουσιν

οὔτε  nor 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: οὔτε  
Sense: neither, and not.
κλέπται  thieves 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: κλέπτης  
Sense: an embezzler, pilferer.
πλεονέκται  coveters 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: πλεονέκτης  
Sense: one eager to have more, esp.
μέθυσοι  drunkards 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: μέθυσος  
Sense: drunken, intoxicated.
οὐ  nor 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐ  
Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer.
λοίδοροι  verbal  abusers 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: λοίδορος  
Sense: a railer, reviler.
οὐχ  nor 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐ  
Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer.
ἅρπαγες  swindlers 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἅρπαξ  
Sense: rapacious, ravenous.
βασιλείαν  [the]  kingdom 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: βασιλεία  
Sense: royal power, kingship, dominion, rule.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
κληρονομήσουσιν  will  inherit 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: κληρονομέω  
Sense: to receive a lot, receive by lot.