Calendar

YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD
THURSDAY, AUGUST 31
1 Corinthians 3:16-23

1 Corinthians 3:16

 

“Know ye not that

ye are the temple of God,”

 

YE ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD
 
The word “temple” is usually understood as a place of worship. In the Bible, the temple consists of two main parts: the holy place of worship and the outer courts leading to it. Entering the holy place of worship, we will see the holy place or the sanctuary, where the priests do their service with the candlestick and the table of the showbread or unleavened bread. Behind the curtain of the holy place is the Holy of Holies, with the golden censer and the ark of the covenant, where only the high priest enters once a year, always with the blood of the sacrifice, to communicate with God (Heb 9:1-7).
 
Our bodies are the “temple” of the Holy Spirit. The original term “temple” in 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19 is the Holy of Holies or the Holiest. Shall we not give thanks and praise to the Lord, for choosing us to be His holy dwelling place? The believers in Corinth did not know that truth perfectly; as a result, they had many problems in their church. They did not love each other, but accused each other and sued each other before the secular court! They did not live a holy and godly life, but there was immorality and division among them!
 
In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, the word “temple” refers to the local church, to a group of believers as “ye” is in the plural and “temple” is in the singular. Truly, as our Lord Jesus says, “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt 18:20). In 1 Corinthians 6:19, the word “temple” refers to individual believer’s body as “body” and “temple” are in the singular. Then, when we gather together to worship our God, we are the temple of God! And our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit wherever we are! It is amazing and comforting to know that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in us now, but do we truly appreciate His presence and submit ourselves to His control?
 
THOUGHT: How wonderful it is to know we are the temple of the holy God!
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for choosing me to be Thy holy dwelling place.

Search