You Are the Temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NAS95).

Paul uses the Old Testament temple as a picture of the body of Christ today. The foundation is Christ, and we are building upon that foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. When tested by fire, only the gold, silver, and precious stones will survive. These are good works, right attitudes, and holy behavior.

Paul goes on to say that, as the temple of God, we have a responsibility to be holy. He emphasizes this responsibility with a hard saying: If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him.

Matthew Henry addresses these verses. From other parts of the epistle, it appears that the false teachers among the Corinthians taught unholy doctrines. Such teaching tended to corrupt, to pollute, and destroy the building, which should be kept pure and holy for God. Those who spread loose principles, which render the church of God unholy, bring destruction upon themselves. Christ by his Spirit dwells in all true believers. Christians are holy by profession, and should be pure and clean, both in heart and conversation. He is deceived who deems himself the temple of the Holy Ghost, yet is unconcerned about personal holiness, or the peace and purity of the church.

John Gill puts a stronger emphasis on this destruction. Him shall God destroy; body and soul in hell; for as their wicked principles and heretical notions are pernicious to others, they are damnable to themselves, and will bring upon them that judgment which lingereth not, and that damnation which slumbereth not.

Therefore, however you take this, it is clear that God demands holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). So, let us be careful how we conduct ourselves in the House of God among His Children. Knowing this: . . . there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do (Hebrews 4:13 NAS95). Amen.