1 Corinthians 3:17

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

The New Testament temple. Under the Old Testament, the temple of God was a house made with hands, a worldly sanctuary. The New Testament or dispensation reckons the people of God to be his temple, "the habitation of God in the Spirit." At Corinth there were many temples to the gods, but one temple of God. And the former were of dead stones, however beautiful to the eye. It is a common saying, "As dead as a stone." But St. Paul, with a fine audacity of thought, conceived of the latter—the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

The Church a temple. It is usual to regard these verses as referring to the individual Christian, but the Epistle is addressed "unto the Church of God which is at Corinth," and we may profitably dwell on some thoughts suggested by the comparison; premising that the peculiarities of ancient temples are well understood. The central building of a structure called a temple was not a place of meeting or of worship, it was the sacred shrine or dwelling place of the deity. Round this central... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:16-23

The peril and folly of glorying in men. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:16-23

Believers as the temple of God. Previously St. Paul had said, "Ye are God's building;" and now he adds, "Ye are the temple of God." Along with this comes the idea of sanctity: "The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." If, then, these Corinthians were the temple of God, and if the Spirit of God dwelt in them, no stronger motive could bear upon them than the need of holiness; and this holiness is a personal matter. "If any man"—whoever he be and whatever his gifts—"if any man defile... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:17

If any man defile the temple of God. The verb is the same as in the next clause, and should be rendered, If any man destroy the temple of God; but the word is perhaps too strong, and the word "mar" or "injure" might better convey the meaning (Olshausen). The two verbs are brought into vivid juxtaposition in the original: "God shall ruin the ruiner of his temple." St. Paul was, perhaps, thinking of the penalty of death attached to any one who desecrated the temple of Jerusalem. Inscriptions... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:17

If any man defile ... - Or, “destroy, corrupt” (φθείρει phtheirei). The Greek word is the same in both parts of the sentence. “If any man ‘destroy’ the temple of God, God shall ‘destroy’ him.” This is presented in the form of an adage or proverb. And the truth here stated is based on the fact that the temple of God was inviolable. That temple was holy; and if any man subsequently destroyed it, it might be presumed that God would destroy him. The figurative sense is, “If any man by his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

1 Corinthians 3:16-17. Know ye not, &c. As if he had said, You should also lake heed what doctrine you deliver, lest by teaching what is false, unimportant, or improper to be taught, you should defile or destroy the temple of God; that ye True believers, genuine Christians; are the temple of God Whether considered collectively as a church, (Ephesians 2:21; 1 Timothy 3:15,) or as individuals and members of one, ( 1Co 6:19 ; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:22; Heb 3:6 ; 1 Peter 2:5,)... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:10-23

Christian activity tested (3:10-23)The Corinthians are likened also to a building. Paul laid the foundation, and now other Christians, in particular the teachers, have the responsibility to build on that foundation (10). There is only one foundation, Jesus Christ, but the structure may be built in all sorts of ways. People may build something of lasting worth through using valuable materials (gold, silver and precious stones), or they may build something of no lasting worth through using cheap... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 3:17

defile . Greek. phth eiro. Same word as "destroy" below. Occurs also in 1 Corinthians 15:33 . 2Co 7:2 ; 2 Corinthians 11:3 .Ephesians 4:22 .Jude 1:10 . Revelation 19:2 (corrupt). The word "mar" will suit both clauses. The man who mars God's Temple by introducing divisions, and the wisdom that is not from above (James 3:15 ), will himself be marred (1 Corinthians 3:15 ). him = this one. Greek. houtos. Emphatic. holy . Greek. hagios . which = and such, i.e. holy, or separated. Omit " ... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:17

If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.The conduct of the Corinthians was such that the Spirit of God would be grieved and denied of any place in their hearts, thus destroying God's true temple; and just as any defilement of the ancient tabernacle had been punishable by death, there would be fearful retribution against all who defile the church. In context, this was a terrible warning to the Corinthians, but it applies to... read more

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