1Cor 3:16-17 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 16. Ye are the temple of God ] The apostle resumes here what he had asserted in : Ye are God's building . As the whole congregation of Israel were formerly considered as the temple and habitation of God , because God dwelt among them , so here the whole Church of Corinth is called the temple of God , because all genuine believers have the Spirit of God to dwell in them; and Christ has promised to be always in the midst even of two or three who are gathered together in his name. Therefore where God is, there is his temple.

‏ 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Verse 16. Ye are the temple of God] The apostle resumes here what he had asserted in 1Co 3:9: Ye are God's building. As the whole congregation of Israel were formerly considered as the temple and habitation of God, because God dwelt among them, so here the whole Church of Corinth is called the temple of God, because all genuine believers have the Spirit of God to dwell in them; and Christ has promised to be always in the midst even of two or three who are gathered together in his name. Therefore where God is, there is his temple.

Verse 17. If any man defile the temple] This clause is not consistently translated. ειτιςτονναοντουθεουφθειρειφθερει τουτονοθεος. If any man destroy the temple of God, him will God destroy. The verb is the same in both clauses. If any man injure, corrupt, or destroy the Church of God by false doctrine, God will destroy him-will take away his part out of the book of life. This refers to him who wilfully opposes the truth; the erring, mistaken man shall barely escape; but the obstinate opposer shall be destroyed. The former shall be treated leniently; the latter shall have judgment without mercy.