Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 1 Corinthians 6:19 WEB

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul intends to shame the church for engaging in worldly behavior. Specifically, they were suing one another, allowing secular judges to decide disputes beside them. Paul instructs them to judge matters and decide disagreements between themselves. 

Beyond that, the Corinthians were engaged in sexual immorality. Paul’s statement addresses the impropriety of defiling their human bodies with corrupt acts. Declaring “your body is a temple,” Paul insists that it is inappropriate to use a temple for sinful acts.

Confusion arose in the church concerning sinful acts. Since our physical bodies die and return to the earth, some church members felt that there was no consequence for sinful  use of their bodies. Because of this false belief, there were those who engaged in sexual immorality without consideration for God’s judgment for their sin.

Paul addresses this erroneous notion comparing our physical bodies to that of temples. This is not without precedent. Speaking of his physical body Christ says in John 2:19, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. WEB” Of course Christ speaks of his resurrection but critically he also reveals his body as a temple. 

Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit resides in the bodies of believers. As such, each believer’s body is a temple. We do not want to sin with our bodies and grieve the Holy Spirit with our words or deeds. As Paul says in Ephesians 4:30, “Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. WEB”  

Sin is not without consequence. God speaks in Revelation 22:15 of those who are left out of his kingdom saying, “Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. WEB” As Christians, we should take this warning seriously.

Forgiven for our sins by the grace of God, we submit our bodies to him as living sacrifices. Paul, saying “your body is a temple” also insists that “you are not your own.” We belong to Christ. He bought us for a price. He paid dearly for our salvation on the cross. As such, we honor him when we refrain from sinful activities for which we have been forgiven. 

Yesterday’s Devotional: Good News of the Kingdom