King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 6:19 Mean?

1 Corinthians 6:19 in the King James Version says “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not y...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

1 Corinthians 6:19 · KJV

Context

17

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

18

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

19

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Read 1 Corinthians 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? Climactic theology: to sōma hymōn naos tou en hymin hagiou pneumatos estin (τὸ σῶμα ὑμῶν ναὸς τοῦ ἐν ὑμῖν ἁγίου πνεύματός ἐστιν). Naos (ναός, 'temple, sanctuary') is the inner holy place where God dwells—not outer courts but the sacred core. Each believer's body (singular 'temple') houses the Holy Spirit.

This revolutionizes self-perception: you're not autonomous—ye are not your own (ouk este heautōn, οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν). Corinthian autonomy ('my body, my choice') collapses: which ye have of God (ho echete apo theou, ὃ ἔχετε ἀπὸ θεοῦ)—the Spirit is gift and presence. Your body is on loan, a stewardship. Sexual sin desecrates the temple. Imagine defiling the Jerusalem temple with prostitution—unthinkable! Yet that's what porneia does to the Spirit's dwelling.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's tabernacle/temple was God's earthly dwelling (Exodus 40:34-35, 1 Kings 8:10-11). Defiling it meant death (Leviticus 16). In the new covenant, believers individually and corporately are God's temple (3:16-17, 2 Corinthians 6:16). This democratized holiness: not just priests but all Christians are sacred space. Corinthians obsessed with spiritual status missed this: the Spirit's indwelling demands holiness, not just charismatic gifts. Paul's rhetoric: you wouldn't defile the Jerusalem temple—why defile yourselves?

Reflection Questions

  1. How would viewing your body as the Holy Spirit's temple change your daily decisions about food, rest, media, and sexuality?
  2. What does it mean practically that 'you are not your own'—how does this challenge autonomy narratives in modern culture?
  3. How can the church teach temple theology without legalism—motivating holiness through worship, not fear?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ἢ1 of 22

“What”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

οὐκ2 of 22

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

οἴδατε3 of 22

“know ye”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι4 of 22

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

τὸ5 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σῶμα6 of 22

“body”

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

ὑμῶν7 of 22

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ναὸς8 of 22

“the temple”

G3485

a fane, shrine, temple

τοῦ9 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν10 of 22

“which is in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὑμῖν11 of 22

“you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἁγίου12 of 22

“of the Holy”

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

πνεύματός13 of 22

“Ghost”

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ἐστιν14 of 22

“is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

οὗ15 of 22

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἔχετε16 of 22

“ye have”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἀπὸ17 of 22

“of”

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

θεοῦ18 of 22

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ19 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκ20 of 22

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐστὲ21 of 22

“ye are”

G2075

ye are

ἑαυτῶν;22 of 22

“your own”

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 6:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 6:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 3:162 Corinthians 6:161 Peter 2:5Ephesians 2:21-22Psalms 100:31 Corinthians 6:15-16

Test Your Knowledge

1 Corinthians 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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