What does 1 Corinthians 6:19 mean?

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? 1 Corinthians 6:19

Explanation

1 Corinthians 6:19 conveys a vital Christian teaching that emphasizes the sanctity of the human body. In the verse, the apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that their bodies are not their own but are temples where the Holy Spirit dwells. The mention of the Holy Spirit residing within them is meant to elevate the view of their physical bodies, suggesting they are not merely flesh and bone but sanctified and holding immense value as they house the presence of God himself. The phrase “and ye are not your own” speaks to the Christian belief that individuals are bought by the sacrificial act of Jesus Christ, implying their lives and bodies are entrusted to God and should be treated with purity and respect.

Historical Context

The passage is taken from Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians. This community in Corinth was living in a society filled with idolatry, sexual immorality, and various pagan practices. The city was known for its wealth, religious plurality, and debauchery. In writing this letter, Paul was addressing the issues that arose within the Corinthian church, where some believers were struggling to shake off the influence of their previous lascivious lifestyles. Sexual immorality, in particular, was one such issue that Paul confronted head-on, emphasizing the contrast between Christian ethics and the prevailing Corinthian culture.

Theological Insights

From different theological perspectives, there are multiple ways to interpret this verse:

• Evangelical Perspective: Most evangelicals would align closely with the literal interpretation, seeing the body as a precious gift from God, implying stewardship and moral responsibility.
• Pentecostal Perspective: Pentecostals may emphasize the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, advocating for a life that continually seeks and manifests spiritual gifts as evidence of the Spirit’s presence.
• Catholic Perspective: Catholics might underscore the community aspect implied by the collective nature of the temple; just as the individual body should be holy, so should the wider church community be a sanctified body of faithful.
• Progressive Christianity: Members of this group might focus more on the ethic that flows from the metaphor, prioritizing health, wholeness, and societal justice.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied in daily life in various ways:

• It serves as a call for Christians to respect their bodies by avoiding sexual immorality and other sins that can harm the body.
• It can be a motivation for a healthy lifestyle, including proper diet and exercise, to honor the body as a God-given temple.
• It may lead to a personal examination of activities and behaviors, questioning whether they align with the notion of the body as a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.

Cross-References

• 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 12:1 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:16 – “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”

Language Study

Key words from the original Greek text include:

• Temple (ναός – naos): Refers to the inner sanctuary of a temple where the deity dwells, rather than the whole temple complex.
• Holy Ghost (ἅγιον Πνεῦμα – hagion Pneuma): Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity in Christian theology.
• Ye are not your own (οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν – ouk este heauton): The phrase suggests ownership and the believers’ allegiance to God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In various ancient religions, the body has been seen as either sacred or profane. Compared to some ancient philosophies that viewed the body as a prison for the soul, Paul’s teaching elevates the body to a holy status. This marked a significant departure from Greek thought that often made a sharp distinction between the material and spiritual worlds. In contrast, the idea of the body as a temple has parallels in other ancient religious practices, where physical spaces and even people were seen as houses for the divine.

Scientific Perspectives

While science addresses the physical and health aspects of the human body, it typically stays out of the sphere of spiritual beliefs. Today, respecting the body through healthy living is widely promoted for well-being and lifespan, akin to the respect called for in this verse. However, the conceptualization of the body as a vessel for the divine is outside the purview of science, which usually does not comment on spiritual or supernatural claims.

Commentaries

Different Bible commentaries offer varied insights on this verse:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary: Henry emphasizes the importance of purity, stating that the presence of the Holy Spirit in believers’ bodies sanctifies them and sets them apart for the service of God.
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible: Albert Barnes interprets the concept of the body as a temple where the Holy Spirit is pleased to dwell, highlighting a need for Christians to live holy and pure lives.
• The Expositor’s Greek Testament: This commentary notes the profound spiritual metaphysics of Paul’s statement: the body of the believer individualizes the Holy Spirit, presenting a strong motive for personal purity.