Problem: Paul told the Corinthians that “neither fornicators ... nor homosexuals ... will inherit the kingdom of God” (6:9–10). But in the same book he admitted that he was only giving his private “opinion” (1 Cor. 7:25,nasb). In fact, Paul admitted, “I have no commandment from the Lord” (v.25), and “I say this], not the Lord” (v.[10). Was not this, by his own confession, merely Paul’s own nonbinding opinion on this issue?

Solution: Paul’s condemnation against homosexuality is divinely authoritative and not merely his private opinion. This is made plain once the evidence is fully examined. First of all, Paul’s clearest condemnation of homosexuality is in Romans 1:26–27, the divine authority of which is not challenged by anyone who accepts the inspiration of Scripture.

Second, Paul’s apostolic credentials are firmly established in Scripture. He delcared in Galatians that his revelations were not something that man made up, but were “received ... by revelation from Jesus Christ” (Gal. 1:12).

Third, Paul declared to the Corinthians that, “The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were done among you” (2 Cor. 12:12, niv). In short, he had exercised apostolic authority in his ministry to the Corinthian Christians.

Fourth, even here in the Book of 1 Corinthians where Paul’s authority is severely challenged by his critics, his divine authority is made evident in three ways. (1) He begins the book by claiming that he has “words taught by the Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:13, niv). (2) He concludes the books claiming, “what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command” (14:37, niv). (3) Even in the disputed chapter 7 where Paul is alleged to be giving his own uninspired opinion, he declares “I too have the Spirit of God” (v. 40, niv). Indeed, when he said “I, not the Lord” he does not mean his words are not from the Lord; this would contradict everything he says elsewhere. Rather, it means that Jesus did not speak directly to this matter while on earth. But Jesus promised His apostles that He would send the Holy Spirit to “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). And Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians was a fulfillment of that promise.

The “Problem”

> Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9–10)

In the verses above, we see a list of unrighteous people—sinners. It is stated twice that such people will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Included in this list are thieves. So why did Jesus, as described in Luke 23:39–43, promise to one of the thieves that was crucified with Him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise”?

The Solution

Sometimes the answer to a seeming contradiction is so close that it would bite you if it could. This is the case here. Look at the very next verse in 1 Corinthians 6 to find the resolution.

> And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

1 Corinthians 6 is written to Christians—followers of Jesus Christ who have had all of their many sins forgiven and washed away by the powerful cleansing blood of the crucified and risen Savior (Revelation 1:5). Through sincere repentance and union with Christ, each believer, though flawed, is forgiven and given the promise and hope of heaven (Titus 3:7).

“And such were some of you” indicates this list of sins is a record of their past, but they repented (Acts 3:19) and had been freed from the bondage of their sin (Romans 6:5–23). God no longer held these or any other sins against them because they had been sanctified and justified in the name of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit (Romans 3:24–26). Regardless of what kinds of sins they had committed, they were washed clean through the grace of God.

In the account of the thieves who were crucified with Christ, the same thing took place. One thief rejected Christ and remained in his unrighteous and unworthy state. The other thief recognized Christ as Savior and turned to Him in repentance, thereby becoming washed, sanctified, and justified before God. He became acceptable in the sight of God, through the saving work of Christ, to inherit the kingdom of God.

Thieves are thought of as “bad” people. Many people would not place themselves in the same category. However, how many times does one have to steal something to become a thief? Only once.

And who among us has not taken something, even the smallest thing that did not belong to us? We are all unrighteous lawbreakers, unworthy to inherit the kingdom of God (Romans 3:23). So the question, “Can a thief go to heaven?” applies to all of us.

Conclusion

The thieves crucified with Jesus are a fitting picture of all mankind. They show us the only two possible options for entering eternity: to receive Christ’s free gift of salvation or reject it. So there’s good news! When a thief receives Christ as Lord and repents, he is no longer a thief in the eyes of God; his sin is forgiven and he is able to enter heaven. Scripture makes that plain and without contradiction.