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.
Original Language Analysis
τίς
what
G5101
τίς
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
1 of 32
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
συγκατάθεσις
agreement
G4783
συγκατάθεσις
agreement
Strong's:
G4783
Word #:
3 of 32
a deposition (of sentiment) in company with, i.e., (figuratively) accord with
θεός
God
G2316
θεός
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
5 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
6 of 32
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
εἰδώλων
idols
G1497
εἰδώλων
idols
Strong's:
G1497
Word #:
7 of 32
an image (i.e., for worship); by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of such
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
9 of 32
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
θεός
God
G2316
θεός
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
11 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεός
God
G2316
θεός
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
17 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὅτι
G3754
αὐτοὶ
their
G846
αὐτοὶ
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
21 of 32
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐμπεριπατήσω
walk in
G1704
ἐμπεριπατήσω
walk in
Strong's:
G1704
Word #:
23 of 32
to perambulate on a place, i.e., (figuratively) to be occupied among persons
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοὶ
their
G846
αὐτοὶ
their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
26 of 32
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
θεός
God
G2316
θεός
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
27 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Revelation 21:3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.Exodus 29:45And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.Hebrews 8:10For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:Leviticus 26:12And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.Jeremiah 32:38And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:Ezekiel 11:20That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.Jeremiah 31:33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.Jeremiah 24:7And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.1 Corinthians 6:19What? 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?Hosea 2:23And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
Historical Context
The Corinthian church existed in a city filled with pagan temples and idol worship. Temples to Apollo, Aphrodite, and other deities dominated the cityscape. Christians were tempted to compromise by participating in temple feasts and pagan rituals for social or business reasons (1 Cor 8-10). Paul reminds them that they themselves are God's temple, making such compromise unthinkable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding yourself as 'the temple of the living God' affect your view of personal holiness and what you allow into your life?
- What modern 'idols' might you be allowing 'agreement' with in ways that defile God's temple?
- How should the reality that God dwells in and walks among His people motivate both personal purity and corporate holiness in the church?
Analysis & Commentary
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? (τίς δὲ συγκατάθεσις ναῷ θεοῦ μετὰ εἰδώλων; tis de synkatathesis naō theou meta eidōlōn?)—Synkatathesis means agreement, union, or compact. Naos (temple) refers to the inner sanctuary, the holy of holies where God dwells. Eidōlon (idol) refers to false gods and their images. Paul's fifth rhetorical question reaches the climax: God's temple cannot coexist with idols—this would be the abomination of desolation itself.
For ye are the temple of the living God (ἡμεῖς γὰρ ναὸς θεοῦ ἐσμεν ζῶντος, hēmeis gar naos theou esmen zōntos)—Paul answers his own question by identifying believers corporately as God's temple. Theos zōn (living God) contrasts with dead idols (Ps 115:4-7). This echoes 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and anticipates Ephesians 2:19-22. Christians individually and corporately are indwelt by God's Spirit, making them sacred space. To compromise with idolatry is to defile God's holy dwelling.
As God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them (καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι Ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω, kathōs eipen ho theos hoti Enoikēsō en autois kai emperipatēsō)—Paul combines Leviticus 26:11-12, Ezekiel 37:27, and perhaps other texts in a composite quotation. Enoikeō (dwell in) and emperipateō (walk among) express God's covenant presence—the fulfillment of tabernacle/temple theology. What was promised to Israel now applies to the church.
And I will be their God, and they shall be my people (καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μου λαός, kai esomai autōn theos, kai autoi esontai mou laos)—This is the covenant formula repeated throughout Scripture (Gen 17:7-8; Ex 6:7; Jer 31:33; Ezek 36:28; Rev 21:3). Believers enjoy covenant relationship with the living God, who dwells in them by His Spirit. This sacred identity demands separation from idolatry.