Lesson 470: 1 Corinthians 3:16
1 Corinthians 3:16
The Blueprint — The Verse
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?
Memorization Practice
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The Context — The History
Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to a gifted but divided church in a prosperous, immoral Greek city. Corinth's culture prized wisdom, status, and freedom — pressures that distorted church life.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Paul addressed quarrels over leaders and the folly of worldly wisdom. He reminded believers that God's Spirit dwells among them communally — they together are God's temple where His Spirit lives.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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1 Corinthians 3:15
If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (1 Corinthians 3:15) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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1 Corinthians 3:17
If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (1 Corinthians 3:17) to continue the passage.
Discussion
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What does it mean that the church community is God's temple?
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How should that truth affect how you treat other believers?
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Where does division damage God's dwelling place among His people?