Verse 16
16. Temple… idols The contrast embraces the Church collectively, of which the temple is the structural image. St. Paul does not present the contrast as between a temple of the true God and one of idolatry; but of a holy temple with an unholy idol in it. The Jews preferred to rebel against the power of imperial Rome rather than to allow an ensign of paganism to be brought into the temple.
Ye are the temple Thus bringing emphatically home the force of the illustration.
Living God In contrast with all other temples, which are of gods that do not live.
God hath said We have the word of the very living God himself for it, as recorded in the Old Testament. In accordance with Jewish modes of quoting the Old Testament, St. Paul blends together the tenor of a number of different passages, like a painter forming a picture by dipping his brush in his colours to finish with a variety of touches.
I will dwell In this verse we have the promise; in the next, the command finishing off with promises, carried into the final verse. The words of this verse refer to Leviticus 26:11-12, with a fragment of Ezekiel 37:26. It is the promise of God to be present with his faithful Church.
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