1 Corinthians 6:19-20 · 1 Corinthians

Body as Temple

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul reminds the Corinthians that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, given by God, and they do not belong to themselves. He emphasizes that they were bought with a price and should glorify God in their bodies and spirits.

Summary

This passage from 1 Corinthians is part of a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the early Christian church in Corinth. It addresses how believers should view their bodies in relation to their faith. The church in Corinth was dealing with various moral and ethical issues, and Paul aims to guide them by reminding them of key spiritual truths. The passage opens with a rhetorical question that emphasizes the sacredness of the human body as a dwelling place for the Holy Ghost, a gift from God.

In verse 6:19, Paul asks the Corinthians if they are unaware that their bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost, indicating that this spirit resides within them. He emphasizes that this gift is from God and that, as a result, they do not belong to themselves. Moving to verse 6:20, Paul states that they have been "bought with a price," implying a transaction or sacrifice that has been made for them. Consequently, he instructs them to glorify God with both their bodies and spirits, since they belong to God.

The passage concludes with a directive to honor God through one's physical and spiritual existence. The final state of affairs is a call for the Corinthians to live in a manner that reflects their identity as temples of the Holy Ghost. The passage itself establishes the significance of recognizing the body as belonging to God and the responsibility to glorify Him through it.

Chiastic structure

ⓘ
A

1 Corinthians 6:19

“your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost”

B

1 Corinthians 6:20

“ye are bought with a price”

A'

1 Corinthians 6:20

“glorify God in your body”

Both A and A' focus on the concept of the body as belonging to God, either as a temple or through the act of glorification.

Interpretation and theological stakes

The primary conclusion of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 is that believers must understand the sacred nature of their bodies as temples of the Holy Ghost. Paul emphasizes that the Holy Spirit dwells within them, a gift from God, indicating a divine ownership over their bodies. This spiritual reality imposes a moral obligation to honor God through their physical and spiritual lives. The passage stresses the importance of recognizing the body as not just a physical entity but as a vessel that carries spiritual significance, being "bought with a price" (verse 6:20), which refers to the sacrificial act of Christ. Therefore, it matters because it redefines how one ought to live, aligning physical actions with spiritual devotion.

In Roman Catholic interpretation, this passage underscores the sacredness of the human body. The argument is that if the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (verse 6:19), it must be treated with respect and dignity. This view highlights the inherent value of the body, not just as a physical form but as a holy vessel. The Catholic tradition sees this as a call to moral integrity and purity, emphasizing that every action involving the body should reflect its divine purpose and honor God. This perspective finds its basis in the notion of the body being a gift from God, necessitating care and reverence.

The Reformed Protestant tradition, however, focuses on the transactional language of being "bought with a price" (verse 6:20) to stress the atonement and its implications. This reading argues that the passage highlights the believer's obligation to live a life of holiness in response to Christ's sacrifice. The emphasis here is on the moral and ethical transformation expected as a result of being redeemed. The Reformed perspective sees this not only as a call to honor God with one's body but as a comprehensive mandate for holy living, encompassing every aspect of life as a response to the grace received through Christ's atonement.

Both interpretations place importance on how believers should live, but they approach the passage's implications differently. While the Catholic tradition stresses the inherent dignity of the body and the call to respect it, the Reformed view centers on the transformative response to Christ's sacrifice. This passage suggests that understanding the body as a temple involves both respecting its sacred nature and living in a way that reflects the profound spiritual transaction of being "bought with a price." The holistic view that combines both the body's dignity and the call to transformative holiness leads to a deeper comprehension of what it means to glorify God in body and spirit.

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