1 Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV) – “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”
1 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT) – “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
In the Old Testament, God designated sacred spaces for His people to meet with Him.
First, God planted a garden in Eden—a beautiful space in paradise for His prized creations. Next, the tabernacle was a portable space in the wilderness for the Israelites who’d been rescued from Egyptian slavery. Then, the temple was a permanent space in Jerusalem for the people of Israel.
In all instances, these were places of worship, as well as tangible signs of God’s presence.
The Creator of everything that exists can’t be confined to a garden, a tent, or a building; it was in those sacred spaces that Heaven and Earth could overlap.
Because a holy God loves sinful people, we have a separation problem. That’s why priests were appointed as representatives—mediators for things like worship, sacrifices, and atonement. And though it worked for a while, it was only a temporary solution.
But when Jesus showed up, He not only fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and temple purposes, but He also bridged the gap. No longer was there a need for a temple made of wood or stone, but of flesh and blood. No longer was there a need for endless sacrifices, because Jesus, the ultimate high priest, had provided the ultimate sacrifice—Himself. Finally, God’s Spirit could now dwell with and inside of His people (we are the church, not the building), the new and improved “temple.”
That’s why Paul asked the Corinthians:
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV
Under the dispensation of Grace, God no longer dwells in physical temples made by hands, but in the hearts of those who have received Christ. Our bodies are now holy vessels, set apart for His purpose, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit signifies God’s presence and His empowerment in our daily lives.”
Believers, individually and as a community, are considered God’s temple. This shows the presence of God’s Spirit dwelling within them. It’s a reminder that God’s presence is not confined to a physical temple but resides within the hearts and community of believers.
This serves as a powerful reminder that God’s presence is not limited to a physical structure; instead, He dwells within the hearts of believers. It underscores both the sacredness of the believer’s life and the profound reality of the Holy Spirit living within them.
We serve a God who meets people where they are: in the garden, in the wilderness, in the temple, in themselves.
So if you’re a follower of Christ, remember: You are the place where His Spirit now dwells. You are the vessel in which He lives and moves and works and empowers. You are the place where heaven has crashed into earth. Amen
