1 Corinthians 3:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Know ye {G1492} not {G3756} that {G3754} ye are {G2075} the temple {G3485} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} that the Spirit {G4151} of God {G2316} dwelleth {G3611} in {G1722} you {G5213}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Don’t you know that you people are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

Berean Standard Bible

Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

American Standard Version

Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 3:16 serves as a foundational declaration of the corporate and individual identity of believers, asserting that the Christian community in Corinth, and by extension all believers, constitute the very dwelling place of God's Spirit. This profound truth underscores the sacredness of the church, calling believers to unity, holiness, and a recognition of the divine presence within them, thereby challenging the divisions and worldly wisdom that plagued the Corinthian assembly.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's broader argument against the divisions and spiritual immaturity prevalent in the Corinthian church. In [1 Corinthians 1-3](/1_corinthians/1-3 "1 Corinthians 1-3 - Divisions and Wisdom"), Paul addresses the factions forming around different leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas), emphasizing that all ministers are merely servants through whom God works. He contrasts human wisdom with God's wisdom, which culminates in the cross. Immediately preceding [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - The Temple of God"), Paul uses the metaphor of building, describing himself as a master builder who laid the foundation (Christ), and others building upon it with various materials (gold, silver, costly stones, or wood, hay, straw). The fire of judgment will test each builder's work ([1 Corinthians 3:10-15](/1_corinthians/3-10-15 "1 Corinthians 3:10-15 - Building on the Foundation")). Verse 16 then shifts the metaphor from individual builders to the collective church as the sacred structure itself, the "temple of God," warning against its defilement in the subsequent verse ([1 Corinthians 3:17](/1_corinthians/3-17 "1 Corinthians 3:17 - Destroying God's Temple")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub known for its wealth, trade, and diverse religious practices, including numerous pagan temples dedicated to deities like Aphrodite, Apollo, and Poseidon. The concept of a "temple" as a sacred dwelling place for a god was deeply ingrained in both Greek and Jewish cultures. For Jewish converts, the [Jerusalem Temple](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Solomon's Temple") was the ultimate symbol of God's presence among His people. For Gentiles, their city was replete with physical structures believed to house their gods. Paul's declaration that "you are the temple of God" would have been revolutionary and counter-cultural. He radically redefines the locus of divine presence, shifting it from a physical edifice to the spiritual community of believers, thereby elevating their status and responsibility in a profound way. This also challenged the Corinthian tendency to compartmentalize faith from daily life, as their very bodies and community were now deemed holy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes in Paul's letter and broader theology. The most prominent is the **Divine Indwelling**, asserting that God's Spirit literally resides within believers, both individually and corporately. This leads directly to the theme of **Sacred Identity and Holiness**, as the church, being God's dwelling, is inherently holy and set apart for His purposes. Paul uses this truth to address the **Unity of the Church**, emphasizing that divisions and immoral behavior defile this sacred temple. The verse also implicitly touches upon **Spiritual Maturity**, as understanding and living out this identity as God's temple is a sign of true spiritual growth, contrasting with the "carnal" behavior Paul addresses earlier in [1 Corinthians 3:1-4](/1_corinthians/3-1-4 "1 Corinthians 3:1-4 - Spiritual Immaturity"). Furthermore, it highlights the **Corporate Nature of the Church**, stressing that the collective body of believers, not just isolated individuals, constitutes this divine dwelling, though the principle extends to individual believers as seen in [1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body as a Temple").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb, often used in past tenses, signifies not merely intellectual apprehension but a deep, experiential understanding or awareness. Paul's rhetorical question, "Know ye not?", implies that this truth should be self-evident to the Corinthians, urging them to move beyond superficial knowledge to a profound realization of their spiritual reality and its implications. It's a call to recognize an established fact.
* **Temple (Greek, _naós'_):** This word specifically refers to the inner sanctuary of a temple, the most holy place where the deity was believed to dwell, as opposed to the broader temple complex or grounds (_hieron_). By using _naós_, Paul emphasizes that believers are not just part of a sacred precinct but are the very inner dwelling place of God's presence, the Holy of Holies where God Himself resides. This highlights the profound intimacy and holiness of the church's identity.
* **Dwelleth (Greek, _oikéō'_):** Derived from the word for "house" (_oikos_), this verb means "to occupy a house," "to reside," or "to inhabit." It denotes a permanent, settled presence rather than a temporary visit. The Spirit of God does not merely pass through believers but takes up permanent residence within them, signifying an enduring and intimate relationship that transforms their very being and purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Know ye not":** Paul begins with a rhetorical question, a common device in his letters, designed not to elicit information but to challenge the audience's lack of understanding or failure to act on what they should already know. It implies a rebuke for their spiritual ignorance or forgetfulness, given the profound truth that follows.
* **"that ye are the temple of God":** This is the core declaration. The plural "ye" (ὑμεῖς - _hymeis_) is crucial, indicating that Paul is primarily addressing the Corinthian community as a collective body, the church, as God's dwelling place. This metaphor radically redefines the concept of sacred space, moving it from a physical building to a living, spiritual community.
* **"and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?":** This clause clarifies *how* the church is the temple of God – through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit's permanent residence within the community of believers confirms their sacred status and provides the power for holy living and unity. This indwelling is the very essence of their identity as God's temple.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several **Literary Devices** in this concise verse. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the church is directly equated with the "temple of God." This is a powerful image, transforming a familiar concept of a physical edifice into a living, spiritual reality. This metaphor carries immense theological weight, conveying the sacredness, holiness, and divine presence within the community of believers. Furthermore, Paul uses a **Rhetorical Question** ("Know ye not...?") to engage his audience directly and challenge their spiritual complacency. This device serves to emphasize the obviousness and foundational nature of the truth being presented, implying that their divisive behavior is inexcusable given their identity as God's dwelling. The use of the plural "ye" throughout the verse also highlights **Corporate Identity**, stressing that the church as a collective body is God's sacred dwelling, thereby underscoring the imperative for unity and mutual respect.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The declaration that believers are the temple of God, indwelt by His Spirit, is a cornerstone of New Testament theology, profoundly impacting our understanding of the church, individual holiness, and the nature of God's presence. It signifies a radical shift from the Old Covenant, where God's presence was localized in a physical temple, to the New Covenant, where His presence is spiritualized and diffused among His people. This truth elevates the status of every believer and the collective body of Christ, demanding a lifestyle commensurate with being the dwelling place of the Almighty. It underscores that the church is not merely a human organization but a divine organism, sacred and set apart for God's glory.

* [1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Your Body is a Temple")
* [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built Together into a Holy Temple")
* [2 Corinthians 6:16](/2_corinthians/6-16 "2 Corinthians 6:16 - God Dwells in Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Recognizing that we, as individual believers and as the collective body of Christ, are the temple of God indwelt by His Spirit, should profoundly transform our perspective and behavior. This truth calls us to a life of holiness and purity, understanding that our bodies and our interactions with fellow believers are sacred spaces where God dwells. It challenges us to examine our attitudes, words, and actions, ensuring they honor the divine presence within us and among us. Divisions, strife, and immorality within the church are not merely social problems; they are acts that defile the very temple of God. Therefore, this verse compels us to pursue unity, mutual respect, and love, striving to maintain the sanctity of the corporate body. Our lives, both individually and communally, are meant to be living testimonies to God's presence, reflecting His character and purposes to a watching world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding yourself as a "temple of God" change your view of your body, your choices, and your daily life?**
* **In what ways might the divisions or behaviors within your church community be "defiling the temple of God"?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live more consciously as a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit, both personally and corporately?**
* **How does the indwelling of the Holy Spirit empower you to live a life pleasing to God and to overcome sin?**

### FAQ
**What does "ye are the temple of God" mean, and is it individual or corporate?**

Answer: The phrase "ye are the temple of God" in [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - The Temple of God") primarily refers to the corporate body of believers, the church as a whole. The Greek pronoun "ye" (ὑμεῖς - _hymeis_) is plural, addressing the Corinthian community. Paul is emphasizing that the collective assembly of Christians is God's dwelling place. This understanding is crucial in the context of the divisions Paul is addressing in [1 Corinthians 1-3](/1_corinthians/1-3 "1 Corinthians 1-3 - Divisions and Wisdom"); disunity defiles the corporate temple. However, the principle extends to individual believers as well. In [1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple"), Paul explicitly states that "your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you," making it clear that individual believers are also indwelt by the Spirit. So, while the primary emphasis in [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - The Temple of God") is corporate, the truth of divine indwelling applies to both the community and its individual members.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The concept of the church as the "temple of God" finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Christ. In the Old Testament, the temple was the physical locus of God's presence, a shadow pointing to a greater reality. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to [the temple of His body](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus and the Temple") ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus and the Temple")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ became the true temple, the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity. It is through His finished work that the Holy Spirit is poured out, enabling God to dwell not in buildings made with hands, but in the hearts of believers ([Acts 2:1-4](/acts/2-1-4 "Acts 2:1-4 - The Day of Pentecost")). The church, as the body of Christ ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22-23 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ as Head of the Church")), is therefore an extension of Christ's own temple-body, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). Thus, the indwelling of the Spirit in believers is a direct result of Christ's redemptive work, making the church a living, spiritual temple where God's presence is manifested and His glory proclaimed, awaiting its glorious consummation in [the New Jerusalem](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - No Temple in New Jerusalem") where the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 6:19

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?

Ezekiel 36:27

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

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.

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

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.

John 14:17

[Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.