1 Corinthians 6:19

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Complete Jewish Bible:

Or don’t you know that your body is a temple for the Ruach HaKodesh who lives inside you, whom you received from God? The fact is, you don’t belong to yourselves;

Berean Standard Bible:

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

American Standard Version:

Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

What{G2228}? know ye{G1492} not{G3756} that{G3754} your{G5216} body{G4983} is{G2076} the temple{G3485} of the Holy{G40} Ghost{G4151} which is in{G1722} you{G5213}, which{G3739} ye have{G2192} of{G575} God{G2316}, and{G2532} ye are{G2075} not{G3756} your own{G1438}?

Cross-References (KJV):

1 Corinthians 3:16

  • ¶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

2 Corinthians 6:16

  • And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

1 Peter 2:5

  • Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:21

  • In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

Ephesians 2:22

  • In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Psalms 100:3

  • Know ye that the LORD he [is] God: [it is] he [that] hath made us, and not we ourselves; [we are] his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

1 Corinthians 6:15

  • Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make [them] the members of an harlot? God forbid.

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Commentary for 1 Corinthians 6:19

1 Corinthians 6:19 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, specifically from the first epistle (letter) of the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. This verse is part of a larger section where Paul is addressing issues of immorality and the misuse of Christian freedom. The historical context of Corinth at the time was a city known for its commercial prosperity and moral laxity, which influenced the habits and expectations of its inhabitants, including the early Christians.

In this verse, Paul emphasizes a profound theological truth: believers' bodies are not their own; they are temples of the Holy Spirit. The concept of the body as a temple would have been familiar to both Jewish and Gentile converts—the former thinking of the Jerusalem Temple, and the latter of the many pagan temples in Corinth. Paul redefines this idea in a Christian context, asserting that the Holy Spirit dwells within each believer, making their bodies sacred spaces.

The verse conveys several key themes:

1. **Holiness of the Body**: Paul challenges the Corinthians' notion that what they do with their bodies is of no spiritual significance. He insists that their physical bodies are intimately connected with their spiritual lives because the Holy Spirit resides within them.

2. **Stewardship**: Since the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to care for their bodies and use them in ways that honor God. This includes avoiding sexual immorality, which is a central concern in the surrounding verses.

3. **The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit**: The verse highlights the personal and internal presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, a radical idea at the time, which contrasted with the external and distant nature of deities in many ancient religions.

4. **The Believer's Identity**: Paul reminds the Corinthians that they are not autonomous individuals. Their identity is now bound to Christ and the community of believers. Their choices and actions should reflect their new status as vessels of God's Spirit.

In summary, 1 Corinthians 6:19 calls believers to recognize the sanctity of their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, to live accordingly, and to understand that their lives are no longer solely their own but are to be lived in service to God, who dwells within them. This teaching was revolutionary in its time and continues to challenge Christians to consider the spiritual implications of their physical actions.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: G2228
    There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma:
    Transliteration:
    Pronunciation: ay
    Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι.
  2. Strong's Number: G1492
    There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: εἴδω
    Transliteration: eídō
    Pronunciation: i'-do
    Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
  3. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
  4. Strong's Number: G3754
    There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅτι
    Transliteration: hóti
    Pronunciation: hot'-ee
    Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
  5. Strong's Number: G5216
    There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμῶν
    Transliteration: hymōn
    Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
    Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
  6. Strong's Number: G4983
    There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: σῶμα
    Transliteration: sōma
    Pronunciation: so'-mah
    Description: from σώζω; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:--bodily, body, slave.
  7. Strong's Number: G2076
    There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐστί
    Transliteration: estí
    Pronunciation: es-tee'
    Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
  8. Strong's Number: G3485
    There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ναός
    Transliteration: naós
    Pronunciation: nah-os'
    Description: from a primary (to dwell); a fane, shrine, temple :--shrine, temple. Compare ἱερόν.
  9. Strong's Number: G40
    There are 1382 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἅγιος
    Transliteration: hágios
    Pronunciation: hag'-ee-os
    Description: from (an awful thing) (compare ἁγνός, θάλπω); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.
  10. Strong's Number: G4151
    There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πνεῦμα
    Transliteration: pneûma
    Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
    Description: from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.
  11. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
  12. Strong's Number: G5213
    There are 567 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὑμῖν
    Transliteration: hymîn
    Pronunciation: hoo-min'
    Description: irregular dative case of ὑμεῖς; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).
  13. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
  14. Strong's Number: G2192
    There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἔχω
    Transliteration: échō
    Pronunciation: skheh'-o
    Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
  15. Strong's Number: G575
    There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἀπό
    Transliteration: apó
    Pronunciation: apo'
    Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
  16. Strong's Number: G2316
    There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θεός
    Transliteration: theós
    Pronunciation: theh'-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
  17. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
  18. Strong's Number: G2075
    There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐστέ
    Transliteration: esté
    Pronunciation: es-teh'
    Description: second person plural present indicative of εἰμί; ye are:--be, have been, belong.
  19. Strong's Number: G1438
    There are 312 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἑαυτοῦ
    Transliteration: heautoû
    Pronunciation: heh-ow-too'
    Description: from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case (dative case or accusative case) of αὐτός; him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other persons) my-, thy-, our-, your-) self (selves), etc.:--alone, her (own, -self), (he) himself, his (own), itself, one (to) another, our (thine) own(-selves), + that she had, their (own, own selves), (of) them(-selves), they, thyself, you, your (own, own conceits, own selves, -selves).