1 Corinthians 6:19
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?
Original Language Analysis
οἴδατε
know ye
G1492
οἴδατε
know ye
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
3 of 22
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 22
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
6 of 22
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἁγίου
of the Holy
G40
ἁγίου
of the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
12 of 22
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
πνεύματός
Ghost
G4151
πνεύματός
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
13 of 22
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
οὗ
which
G3739
οὗ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
15 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔχετε
ye have
G2192
ἔχετε
ye have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
16 of 22
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἀπὸ
of
G575
ἀπὸ
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
17 of 22
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
θεοῦ
God
G2316
θεοῦ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
18 of 22
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
1 Corinthians 3:16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?2 Corinthians 6:16And 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.1 Peter 2:5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.Psalms 100:3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.Titus 2:14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.John 2:21But he spake of the temple of his body.2 Corinthians 5:15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.1 Kings 20:4And the king of Israel answered and said, My lord, O king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have.1 Chronicles 29:14But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.Psalms 12:4Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?
Historical Context
Israel's tabernacle/temple was God's earthly dwelling (Exodus 40:34-35, 1 Kings 8:10-11). Defiling it meant death (Leviticus 16). In the new covenant, believers individually and corporately are God's temple (3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 6:16). This democratized holiness: not just priests but all Christians are sacred space. Corinthians obsessed with spiritual status missed this: the Spirit's indwelling demands holiness, not just charismatic gifts. Paul's rhetoric: you wouldn't defile the Jerusalem temple—why defile yourselves?
Questions for Reflection
- How would viewing your body as the Holy Spirit's temple change your daily decisions about food, rest, media, and sexuality?
- What does it mean practically that 'you are not your own'—how does this challenge autonomy narratives in modern culture?
- How can the church teach temple theology without legalism—motivating holiness through worship, not fear?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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? Climactic theology: to sōma hymōn naos tou en hymin hagiou pneumatos estin (τὸ σῶμα ὑμῶν ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν ἁγίου πνεύματός ἐστιν). Naos (ναός, 'temple, sanctuary') is the inner holy place where God dwells—not outer courts but the sacred core. Each believer's body (singular 'temple') houses the Holy Spirit.
This revolutionizes self-perception: you're not autonomous—ye are not your own (ouk este heautōn, οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν). Corinthian autonomy ('my body, my choice') collapses: which ye have of God (ho echete apo theou, ὃ ἔχετε ἀπὸ θεοῦ)—the Spirit is gift and presence. Your body is on loan, a stewardship. Sexual sin desecrates the temple. Imagine defiling the Jerusalem temple with prostitution—unthinkable! Yet that's what porneia does to the Spirit's dwelling.