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Text -- 1 Corinthians 3:17 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
3:17 If someone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, which is what you are.
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Wicked | UNCLEANNESS | Temple | TEMPLE, A2 | Sacrilege | SPIRIT | SALVATION | PAULINE THEOLOGY | PAROUSIA | House of God | Holiness | DEFILE; DEFILEMENT | Corinthians, First Epistle to the | Church | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
, Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College , McGarvey , Lapide

Other
Evidence

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: 1Co 3:17 - -- Destroyeth ( phtheirei ). The outward temple is merely the symbol of God’ s presence, the Shechinah (the Glory). God makes his home in the heart...

Destroyeth ( phtheirei ).

The outward temple is merely the symbol of God’ s presence, the Shechinah (the Glory). God makes his home in the hearts of his people or the church in any given place like Corinth. It is a terrible thing to tear down ruthlessly a church or temple of God like an earthquake that shatters a building in ruins. This old verb phtheirō means to corrupt, to deprave, to destroy. It is a gross sin to be a church-wrecker. There are actually a few preachers who leave behind them ruin like a tornado in their path.

Robertson: 1Co 3:17 - -- Him shall God destroy ( phtherei touton ho theos ). There is a solemn repetition of the same verb in the future active indicative. The condition is t...

Him shall God destroy ( phtherei touton ho theos ).

There is a solemn repetition of the same verb in the future active indicative. The condition is the first class and is assumed to be true. Then the punishment is certain and equally effective. The church-wrecker God will wreck. What does Paul mean by "will destroy"? Does he mean punishment here or hereafter? May it not be both? Certainly he does not mean annihilation of the man’ s soul, though it may well include eternal punishment. There is warning enough here to make every pastor pause before he tears a church to pieces in order to vindicate himself.

Robertson: 1Co 3:17 - -- Holy ( hagios ). Hence deserves reverential treatment. It is not the building or house of which Paul speaks as "the sanctuary of God"(ton naon tou th...

Holy ( hagios ).

Hence deserves reverential treatment. It is not the building or house of which Paul speaks as "the sanctuary of God"(ton naon tou theou ), but the spiritual organization or organism of God’ s people in whom God dwells, "which temple ye are"(hoitines este humeis ). The qualitative relative pronoun hoitines is plural to agree with humeis (ye) and refers to the holy temple just mentioned. The Corinthians themselves in their angry disputes had forgotten their holy heritage and calling, though this failing was no excuse for the ringleaders who had led them on. In 1Co 6:19 Paul reminds the Corinthians again that the body is the temple (naos , sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit, which fact they had forgotten in their immoralities.

Vincent: 1Co 3:17 - -- Defile ( φθείρει ) Rev., more correctly, destroy . This is the primary and almost universal meaning in classical Greek. In a fragment o...

Defile ( φθείρει )

Rev., more correctly, destroy . This is the primary and almost universal meaning in classical Greek. In a fragment of Euripides it occurs of dishonoring a female. Sophocles uses it of women pining away in barrenness, and Plutarch of mixing pure colors. The phrase seems to be used here according to the Jewish idea that the temple was destroyed or corrupted by the slightest defilement or damage, or by neglect on the part of its guardians. Ignatius says: " οἱ οἰκοφθόροι ; violators of the house (of God) shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (To the Ephesians, 16).

Vincent: 1Co 3:17 - -- Which temple ( οἵτινες ) Temple is not in the Greek. The double relative which refers to the epithet holy ; " of which holy chara...

Which temple ( οἵτινες )

Temple is not in the Greek. The double relative which refers to the epithet holy ; " of which holy character or class ye are."

Wesley: 1Co 3:17 - -- Destroy a real Christian, by schisms, or doctrines fundamentally wrong.

Destroy a real Christian, by schisms, or doctrines fundamentally wrong.

Wesley: 1Co 3:17 - -- He shall not be saved at all; not even as through the fire."

He shall not be saved at all; not even as through the fire."

JFB: 1Co 3:17 - -- Rather as the Greek verb is the same in both cases, "destroy . . . destroy." God repays in kind by a righteous retaliation. The destroyer shall himsel...

Rather as the Greek verb is the same in both cases, "destroy . . . destroy." God repays in kind by a righteous retaliation. The destroyer shall himself be destroyed. As temporal death was the penalty of marring the material temple (Lev 16:2; Dan 5:2-3, Dan 5:30), so eternal death is the penalty of marring the spiritual temple--the Church. The destroyers here (1Co 3:16-17), are distinct from the unwise or unskilful builders (1Co 3:12, 1Co 3:15); the latter held fast the "foundation" (1Co 3:11), and, therefore, though they lose their work of superstructure and the special reward, yet they are themselves saved; the destroyers, on the contrary, assailed with false teaching the foundation, and so subvert the temple itself, and shall therefore be destroyed. (See on 1Co 3:10), [ESTIUS and NEANDER]. I think Paul passes here from the teachers to all the members of the Church, who, by profession, are "priests unto God" (Exo 19:6; 1Pe 2:9; Rev 1:6). As the Aaronic priests were doomed to die if they violated the old temple (Exo 28:43), so any Christian who violates the sanctity of the spiritual temple, shall perish eternally (Heb 12:14; Heb 10:26, Heb 10:31).

JFB: 1Co 3:17 - -- Inviolable (Hab 2:20).

Inviolable (Hab 2:20).

JFB: 1Co 3:17 - -- Rather, "the which (that is, holy) are ye" [ALFORD], and, therefore, want of holiness on the part of any of you (or, as ESTIUS, "to tamper with the fo...

Rather, "the which (that is, holy) are ye" [ALFORD], and, therefore, want of holiness on the part of any of you (or, as ESTIUS, "to tamper with the foundation in teaching you") is a violation of the temple, which cannot be let to pass with impunity. GROTIUS supports English Version.

Clarke: 1Co 3:17 - -- If any man defile the temple - This clause is not consistently translated. Ει τις τον ναον του Θεου φθειρει, φθερει...

If any man defile the temple - This clause is not consistently translated. Ει τις τον ναον του Θεου φθειρει, φθερει τουτον ὁ Θεος If any man destroy the temple of God, him will God destroy. The verb is the same in both clauses. If any man injure, corrupt, or destroy the Church of God by false doctrine, God will destroy him - will take away his part out of the book of life. This refers to him who wilfully opposes the truth; the erring, mistaken man shall barely escape; but the obstinate opposer shall be destroyed. The former shall be treated leniently; the latter shall have judgment without mercy.

Calvin: 1Co 3:17 - -- 17.If any man corrupts the temple of God He subjoins a dreadful threatening — that, as the temple of God ought to be inviolably sacred, that man,...

17.If any man corrupts the temple of God He subjoins a dreadful threatening — that, as the temple of God ought to be inviolably sacred, that man, whoever he may be, that corrupts it, will not pass with impunity. The kind of profanation of which he now speaks, is, when men intrude themselves, so as to bear rule in the Church in the place of God. For as that faith, which is devoted to the pure doctrine of Christ, is called elsewhere spiritual chastity, (2Co 11:2,) so it also sanctifies our souls for the right and pure worship of God. For as soon as we are tinctured with the contrivances of men, the temple of God is polluted, as it were, with filth, because the sacrifice of faith, which he claims for himself alone, is in that case offered to creatures.

Defender: 1Co 3:17 - -- This destruction must be physical death, not spiritual, for the apostle has just assured us that all in whom the Spirit dwells are eternally saved (1C...

This destruction must be physical death, not spiritual, for the apostle has just assured us that all in whom the Spirit dwells are eternally saved (1Co 3:15; 1Co 5:5)."

TSK: 1Co 3:17 - -- any : 1Co 6:18-20; Lev 15:31, Lev 20:3; Num 19:20; Psa 74:3, Psa 79:1; Eze 5:11, Eze 7:22; Eze 23:38, Eze 23:39; Zep 3:4 defile : or destroy : for, Ge...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: 1Co 3:17 - -- If any man defile ... - Or, "destroy, corrupt"( φθείρει phtheirei ). The Greek word is the same in both parts of the sentence. "If...

If any man defile ... - Or, "destroy, corrupt"( φθείρει phtheirei ). The Greek word is the same in both parts of the sentence. "If any man ‘ destroy’ the temple of God, God shall ‘ destroy’ him."This is presented in the form of an adage or proverb. And the truth here stated is based on the fact that the temple of God was inviolable. That temple was holy; and if any man subsequently destroyed it, it might be presumed that God would destroy him. The figurative sense is, "If any man by his doctrines or precepts shall pursue such a course as tends to destroy the church, God shall severely punish him.

For the temple of God is holy - The temple of God is to be regarded as sacred and inviolable. This was unquestionably the common opinion among the Jews respecting the temple at Jerusalem; and it was the common doctrine of the Gentiles respecting their temples. Sacred places were regarded as inviolable; and this general truth Paul applies to the Christian church in general - Locke supposes that Paul had particular reference here to the false teachers in Corinth. But the expression, "if any man,"is equally applicable to all other false teachers as to him.

Which temple ye are - This proves that though Paul regarded them as lamentably corrupt in some respects, he still regarded them as a true church - as a part of the holy temple of God.

Poole: 1Co 3:17 - -- If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy the word which we translate defile and destroy (for the Greek word is the same for bot...

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy the word which we translate defile and destroy (for the Greek word is the same for both) signifieth to violate, corrupt, or destroy. Our translators generally render it corrupt, 1Co 15:33 2Co 7:2 1Co 11:3 Eph 4:22 Jud 1:10 Rev 19:2 . The people of God, who are here called the temple of God, are defiled, either by imbibing false doctrine, or being tempted to any looseness of life and conversation. Now, (saith the apostle), if any one goes about to do this, which all preachers do who teach any false doctrine, or any principles that lead to a liberty for the flesh, or lead to an ill and scandalous life, God shall destroy those men.

For the temple of God is holy for as the temple of God of old was a place built and set apart for holy uses, and therefore not without great peril to be abused and profaned; so those that are the people of God, are by God called and set apart in a more immediate, eminent manner for the honour and glory of God, and therefore cannot be debauched or defiled by any as instruments in that action, without exceeding great peril and hazard to them that endeavour and attempt any such thing.

Haydock: 1Co 3:16-17 - -- Know you not. After the apostle had described the builders who are employed in the spiritual edifice, he proceeds to speak of the duties of those wh...

Know you not. After the apostle had described the builders who are employed in the spiritual edifice, he proceeds to speak of the duties of those who are the living temples of Christ. As for you, may brethren, who are the temples of God, preserve yourselves in purity of faith, and innocence of morals. Fly from those false apostles who seek your ruin, and remain steadfast in that faith which you have received from us; (Calmet) that is, the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic faith. What a happiness for the faithful minister to assist in erecting and ornamenting the living temples of God; but what punishment must await the unfaithful minister, who by his own neglect and bad example, helps to ruin and destroy the temples of God himself had entrusted to their care! (Haydock) ---

The Spirit of God dwelleth in you, having received the grace of God at your conversion: you are the holy temple of God: But if any one violate, or profane the temple of God, either by false doctrine, or by any grievous offence, he destroys the spiritual edifice, that was built in his soul upon the faith and grace of God. He cannot be said to be built any longer upon the same foundation: and therefore God will destroy such persons: they shall not be saved even by fire, or temporal punishments, but shall be excluded for ever from heaven, and condemned to eternal punishments. (Witham)

Gill: 1Co 3:17 - -- If any man defile the temple of God,.... By the wisdom of the world, through philosophy, and vain deceit; by bringing in false doctrines, errors, and ...

If any man defile the temple of God,.... By the wisdom of the world, through philosophy, and vain deceit; by bringing in false doctrines, errors, and heresies, and hereby corrupt their minds from the simplicity that is in Christ; and make rents, factions, and divisions among them:

him shall God destroy; body and soul in hell; for as their wicked principles and heretical notions are pernicious to others, they are damnable to themselves, and will bring upon them that judgment which lingereth not, and that damnation which slumbereth not. The false prophet, as well as the beast, and the devil, shall be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. God is not only an avenger of all immoralities committed against his righteous law, but of all false doctrine and false worship, and of everything that is contrary to the Gospel, and to the order and ordinances of it. The reason of this is,

for the temple of God is holy; alluding to the holiness of Solomon's temple,

"into which a man might not go with his staff, nor with his shoes on, nor with his purse, nor with dust upon his feet, nor might he make it a thoroughfare, and much less spit in it o.''

And yet, how was it polluted in our Lord's time by the Jews, who made it a den of thieves, instead of an house of prayer?

which temple ye are. This is added for further confirmation, and to assert their holiness in doctrine, worship, and conversation, and to deter the false teachers from making use of any means to corrupt them in either.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

Geneva Bible: 1Co 3:17 If any man ( f ) defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are. ( f ) Defiles it and makes it...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: 1Co 3:1-23 - --1 Milk is fit for children.3 Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind.7 He that planteth and he that watereth, are nothing.9 The ministers are...

MHCC: 1Co 3:16-17 - --From other parts of the epistle, it appears that the false teachers among the Corinthians taught unholy doctrines. Such teaching tended to corrupt, to...

Matthew Henry: 1Co 3:16-17 - -- Here the apostle resumes his argument and exhortation, founding it on his former allusion, You are God's building, 1Co 3:9, and here, Know you no...

Barclay: 1Co 3:16-22 - --To Paul the Church was the very temple of God because it was the society in which the Spirit of God dwelt. As Origen later said, "We are most of all...

Constable: 1Co 1:10--7:1 - --II. Conditions reported to Paul 1:10--6:20 The warm introduction to the epistle (1:1-9) led Paul to give a stron...

Constable: 1Co 1:10--5:1 - --A. Divisions in the church 1:10-4:21 The first major problem was the divisions that were fragmenting the...

Constable: 1Co 3:5-17 - --5. The role of God's servants 3:5-17 Paul turned next to a positive explanation of how his reade...

Constable: 1Co 3:16-17 - --A warning against destroying the church 3:16-17 This is perhaps the strongest warning in the New Testament against taking the church lightly and destr...

College: 1Co 3:1-23 - --1 CORINTHIANS 3 3. Divisions a Sign of Worldliness (3:1-4) 1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly - mere infants in Christ....

McGarvey: 1Co 3:17 - --If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye . [The factions are here plainly made a...

Lapide: 1Co 3:1-23 - --CHAPTER III. SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER He endeavours to put an end to the divisions among the Corinthians, by reminding them of their mutual subjectio...

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Commentary -- Other

Evidence: 1Co 3:17 QUESTIONS & OBJECTIONS " Does someone go to hell for committing suicide?" Those who are adamant that a person who takes his life is committing a mor...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) First Corinthians From Ephesus a.d. 54 Or 55 By Way of Introduction It would be a hard-boiled critic today who would dare deny the genuineness o...

JFB: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The AUTHENTICITY of this Epistle is attested by CLEMENT OF ROME [First Epistle to the Corinthians, 47], POLYCARP [Epistle to the Philippians, 11], and...

JFB: 1 Corinthians (Outline) THE INSCRIPTION; THANKSGIVING FOR THE SPIRITUAL STATE OF THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH; REPROOF OF PARTY DIVISIONS: HIS OWN METHOD OF PREACHING ONLY CHRIST. ...

TSK: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) Overview 1Co 3:1, Milk is fit for children; 1Co 3:3, Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind; 1Co 3:7, He that planteth and he that water...

Poole: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) CORINTHIANS 3 1Co 3:1,2 Paul showeth that he could not instruct the Corinthians in the higher doctrines of Christianity because of their carnal m...

MHCC: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) The Corinthian church contained some Jews, but more Gentiles, and the apostle had to contend with the superstition of the one, and the sinful conduct ...

MHCC: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) (1Co 3:1-4) The Corinthians reproved for their contentions. (1Co 3:5-9) The true servants of Christ can do nothing without him. (1Co 3:10-15) He is ...

Matthew Henry: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The First Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians Corinth was a principal city of Greece, in that partic...

Matthew Henry: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter the apostle, I. Blames the Corinthians for their carnality and divisions (1Co 3:1-4). II. He instructs them how what was amiss am...

Barclay: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) The Supreme Importance Of God (1Co_3:1-9) The Foundation And The Builders (1Co_3:10-15) Wisdom And Foolishness (1Co_3:16-22)

Constable: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical Background Corinth had a long history stretching back into the...

Constable: 1 Corinthians (Outline) Outline I. Introduction 1:1-9 A. Salutation 1:1-3 B. Thanksgiving 1:4-9 ...

Constable: 1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians Bibliography Adams, Jay. Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage in the Bible. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presb...

Haydock: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE CORINTHIANS. INTRODUCTION. Corinth was the capital of Achaia, a very rich and populous city...

Gill: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS This was not the first epistle that was written by the apostle to the Corinthians, for we read in this of his having ...

Gill: 1 Corinthians 3 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO 1 CORINTHIANS 3 In this chapter the apostle returns to the charge of schisms and contentions upon the Corinthians, which were the o...

College: 1 Corinthians (Book Introduction) FOREWORD Since the past few decades have seen an explosion in the number of books, articles, and commentaries on First Corinthians, a brief word to t...

College: 1 Corinthians (Outline) OUTLINE I. INTRODUCTION - 1:1-9 A. Salutation - 1:1-3 B. Thanksgiving - 1:4-9 II. DISUNITY AND COMMUNITY FRAGMENTATION - 1:10-4:21 A. ...

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