27. Spiritual Stones in the Living Temple 1 Co 3:16–17

Let's consider the text today. Paul states, 'Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?' We are left wondering what Paul means when he uses the word 'you.' Is Paul suggesting that everyone is a temple? Or is he suggesting that the church, as a group, makes up the temple? It's hard to tell based on the English text alone because the word 'you' can denote a single person or a group of people.

For instance, let's imagine we are all sitting in a class, and the teacher is giving instructions on how a test will be conducted. The teacher may say, 'You cannot leave the room until the test is completed.' In this case, 'you' is a collective term and refers to everybody in the class. However, if a girl in the class asks the teacher if she can be excused to go to the bathroom during the test, the teacher may say to her, 'You may not.' Here, 'you' refers to a singular individual.

Now the astute student of the word of God would know by the context that Paul is not referring to the individual but rather the collective. But why?

The Context

Firstly, in the context of 1 Corinthians 3, Paul addresses the Corinthian church as a community of believers. He emphasizes the unity and collective identity of the church by using the pronoun "you" in the plural sense. Paul consistently addresses the church throughout his letter to the Corinthians.

One of the notable characteristics of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is its use of distinct second-person pronouns like "thou" and "ye." While these pronouns may seem archaic or unfamiliar to modern readers, their usage in the KJV can aid in better understanding the text in a few ways. Using "thou" when addressing a single person and "ye" when addressing a group helps clarify the intended audience or recipient of the message. By making a clear distinction between singular and plural forms, the KJV provides clarity in understanding the specific individuals being addressed.

To clarify this point, let us consider the same text in the King James Version.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. - KJV

While we are not arguing for the King James-only position, we want to point out that for those who are not proficient in reading the New Testament in its original language, the King James Version can help distinguish between the second-person plural pronouns.

Here's a helpful breakdown of their usage:

'Ye' is the subject form of the pronoun used when referring to a group of people. For example, 'Ye are the salt of the earth' (Matthew 5:13).

'You' is the object and possessive form of the pronoun and is also used when referring to a group of people. For example, 'I beseech you, brethren' (Romans 12:1)."

While some may interpret 1 Corinthians 3:16 as having an individual application, a careful examination of the context and other Scriptures reveals that Paul's message is focused on the collective nature of the church as the temple of God. The imagery, the use of plural language, and the broader biblical teachings on unity support this understanding.

Secondly, throughout the New Testament, we find similar teachings that emphasize the corporate nature of the church. Consider the passage in Ephesians 2:19-22

This text speaks of believers being built together into a dwelling place for God. 1 Peter 2:5 refers to believers as living stones built into a spiritual house. These passages highlight the communal aspect of believers forming a unified temple for God.

The image of the temple

The imagery of the temple in the Old Testament reinforces the idea of a collective temple. In the Old Testament, the temple was a physical structure that represented the presence of God among His people. In the New Testament, this concept is fulfilled in the church, where the Holy Spirit dwells collectively in the community of believers.

Interpreting the concept of being a temple in an individualistic manner, where each person sees themselves as the sole temple of the Holy Spirit, can lead to several pitfalls according to the New Testament.

The dangers of an individualistic view

Believing that one by themselves are the temple of the Holy Spirit may lead to a sense of spiritual autonomy, where individuals isolate themselves from the community of believers. The New Testament emphasizes the collective worship and unity of the church as the temple of God. When individuals view themselves as separate temples, it may diminish the significance of gathering as a community to worship, pray, and serve. This can lead to a weakened sense of unity and the loss of the power and beauty of shared worship experiences.

The temple metaphor underscores the interdependence and interconnectedness of believers as members of one body. An individualistic interpretation may overlook the biblical teachings on the diverse spiritual gifts and roles within the community. It can devalue the contributions and importance of other believers, hindering the full functioning of the body of Christ.

Believing that one alone is the temple of the Holy Spirit may diminish the humble recognition of the shared dependence on God and the need for humility, servanthood, and love toward others. The concept of the temple in the New Testament is intended to highlight the communal nature of believers, where the Spirit of God dwells collectively among them. An individualistic interpretation may distort this intent, creating a skewed understanding of God's design for His people and diminishing the significance of the church as a corporate body.

Spiritual temple spiritual stones

Here Paul describes the church as a spiritual temple, not referring to each individual but to the group. Based on Peter's writings, one could argue that we as individuals may be but spiritual stones in that spiritual temple.