16
How can the temple of the true God and the statues of other gods agree? We are the temple of the living God. God has said, "I will live with them. I will walk among them. I will be their God. And they will be my people."--(Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27)
Reference
Greek: πῶς (pōs)
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
Hebrew: ʼay
where? hence how?
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ἱερόν (hierón)
a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts (whereas G3485 (ναός) denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the Temple (at Jerusalem or elsewhere)
Hebrew: raqqâh
properly, thinness, i.e. the side of the head
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ἀληθινός (alēthinós)
truthful
Hebrew: tsᵉdâʼ
a (sinister) design
Greek: κύριος (kýrios)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
Hebrew: ʼĕlâhh
God
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: λοιποί (loipoí)
remaining ones
Hebrew: chabrâh
an associate
Greek: ἦν (ēn)
I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
Hebrew: yâʻad
to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to summon (to trial), to direct (in a certain quarter or position), to engage (for marriage)
Hebrew: ʼănûw
we
Greek: ἐστί (estí)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ἱερόν (hierón)
a sacred place, i.e. the entire precincts (whereas G3485 (ναός) denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the Temple (at Jerusalem or elsewhere)
Hebrew: raqqâh
properly, thinness, i.e. the side of the head
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: κύριος (kýrios)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
Hebrew: ʼĕlâhh
God
Greek: κύριος (kýrios)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
Hebrew: ʼĕlâhh
God
Greek: μέ (mé)
me
Hebrew: ʼănâʼ
I
Greek: θέλησις (thélēsis)
determination (properly, the act), i.e. option
Hebrew: tsᵉbâʼ
to please
Greek: συζάω (syzáō)
to continue to live in common with, i.e. co-survive (literally or figuratively)
Greek: μέ (mé)
me
Hebrew: ʼănâʼ
I
Greek: θέλησις (thélēsis)
determination (properly, the act), i.e. option
Hebrew: tsᵉbâʼ
to please
Hebrew: hălak
to walk
Greek: μέσος (mésos)
middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)
Hebrew: bêyn
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
Greek: μέ (mé)
me
Hebrew: ʼănâʼ
I
Greek: θέλησις (thélēsis)
determination (properly, the act), i.e. option
Hebrew: tsᵉbâʼ
to please
Greek: ἤμην (ḗmēn)
I was
Hebrew: hâvâʼ
to be (in the sense of existence)
Greek: κύριος (kýrios)
supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title)
Hebrew: ʼĕlâhh
God
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: θέλησις (thélēsis)
determination (properly, the act), i.e. option
Hebrew: tsᵉbâʼ
to please
Greek: ἤμην (ḗmēn)
I was
Hebrew: hâvâʼ
to be (in the sense of existence)
Greek: δῆμος (dēmos)
the public (as bound together socially)
Hebrew: ʻam
{a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock}
Greek: Ἱερεμίας (Hieremías)
Hieremias (i.e. Jermijah), an Israelite
Hebrew: Yirmᵉyâh
Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites
Hebrew: Yᵉchezqêʼl
Jechezkel, the name of two Israelites
Verse Explanation
Paul asks what agreement exists between God's temple and idols and reminds the Corinthians that believers are the temple of the living God, meaning that God's presence now dwells among His people rather than being limited to buildings containing physical idols.
History
1st century AD: Corinth contained temples dedicated to several ancient gods, making Paul's contrast between God's people and idol worship particularly meaningful.