Meaning of 2 Corinthians 6:16

The Apostle Paul, in this powerful declaration, asserts the absolute incompatibility between the people of God and any form of idolatry or pagan association, drawing a stark contrast between the sacred and the profane. He uses the metaphor of the temple, which in the Old Testament was the dwelling place of God's presence, to represent the redeemed community. This community, indwelt by the Spirit of God, cannot coexist or share common ground with the practices and worship of idols, which represent false gods and demonic influences. The verse culminates with a quotation from Leviticus 26:12 and Jeremiah 32:38, reaffirming God's covenant promise to dwell with and be the God of His people, a promise now fulfilled in a new and profound way through Christ.

Context and Background

Second Corinthians 6:14-7:1 forms a cohesive unit where Paul addresses the Corinthians' susceptibility to forming partnerships with unbelievers, particularly those involved in pagan practices within the Corinthian church. Corinth was a city steeped in polytheism and sensuality, with numerous temples dedicated to various gods. The early church in Corinth, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, faced pressure to assimilate with the surrounding culture and its religious syncretism. Paul's argument is rooted in the Old Testament prohibition against mixing with pagan nations and their idolatrous worship, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 7:1-6. He is urging the believers to separate themselves from these contaminating influences to maintain their spiritual purity and their unique relationship with the living God.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Indwelling: The central theme is that believers, individually and collectively, are now the "temple of the living God." This signifies that the Holy Spirit actively resides within them, making them a sacred space.
• Absolute Separation: Paul emphasizes the "no agreement" principle. There can be no compromise or partnership between those who belong to God and those who are aligned with paganism or unbelief. This is not about social isolation but about maintaining spiritual integrity and distinctiveness.
• Covenantal Relationship: The quoted promises from Leviticus and Jeremiah underscore God's desire for an intimate, covenantal relationship with His people. He promises to be their God and walk among them, a promise that finds its ultimate realization in Christ.
• Holiness and Purity: The call for separation is fundamentally a call to holiness. To be the temple of God means to be set apart for Him, free from the defilement of idolatry and sinful associations.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers today, this verse calls for a discerning separation from anything that compromises their identity as temples of the Holy Spirit. This includes not only overt idolatry but also any association or partnership that would dilute their commitment to Christ or align them with ungodly ideologies and practices. It means carefully evaluating friendships, business dealings, and even entertainment choices to ensure they do not lead to spiritual compromise. The indwelling Spirit empowers believers to live a life of holiness, reflecting God's presence to the world.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is a crucial link in understanding God's redemptive plan. It traces the concept of God's dwelling place from the tabernacle and the Jerusalem temple to the spiritual temple of the church and, ultimately, to the individual believer. The Old Testament foreshadowed this indwelling through the Shekinah glory, but Jesus Christ made it possible for God's presence to reside within His people through the Holy Spirit. This concept culminates in the eschatological vision of the New Jerusalem, where God dwells fully with His redeemed people (Revelation 21:3).

Analogies

• A Sacred Vessel: Imagine a precious chalice intended for holy communion. It cannot be used for common or defiling purposes without being rendered unfit for its sacred function. Similarly, believers, as sacred vessels, must be kept pure for God's use.
• A Married Couple: The verse implies a profound exclusivity, akin to the marital covenant. A spouse cannot be fully devoted to their partner while simultaneously being intimately involved with another. Believers are espoused to Christ and must maintain that exclusive devotion.
• A Clean Room: A room meticulously cleaned and prepared for an honored guest cannot be simultaneously occupied by someone spreading filth and disorder. The presence of God demands a clean and orderly environment within the believer.

Relation to Other Verses

• 1 Corinthians 3:16-17: "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple." This passage directly echoes the concept of the church as God's temple.
• 1 Corinthians 6:18-20: "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." This verse emphasizes the individual believer as a temple and the call to sexual purity.
• Leviticus 26:12: "I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people." This is the Old Testament promise quoted in 2 Corinthians, highlighting the continuity of God's covenant faithfulness.
• Jeremiah 32:38: "They will be my people, and I will be their God." Another Old Testament prophetic promise of a restored and intimate relationship with God.
• Revelation 21:3: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”" This verse points to the ultimate fulfillment of God dwelling with His people in the new creation.