King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 6:16 Mean?

2 Corinthians 6:16 in the King James Version says “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will ... — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2 Corinthians 6:16 · KJV


Context

14

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? (τίς δὲ συγκατάθεσις ναῷ θεοῦ μετὰ εἰδώλων; tis de synkatathesis naō theou meta eidōlōn?)—Synkatathesis means agreement, union, or compact. Naos (temple) refers to the inner sanctuary, the holy of holies where God dwells. Eidōlon (idol) refers to false gods and their images. Paul's fifth rhetorical question reaches the climax: God's temple cannot coexist with idols—this would be the abomination of desolation itself.

For ye are the temple of the living God (ἡμεῖς γὰρ ναὸς θεοῦ ἐσμεν ζῶντος, hēmeis gar naos theou esmen zōntos)—Paul answers his own question by identifying believers corporately as God's temple. Theos zōn (living God) contrasts with dead idols (Ps 115:4-7). This echoes 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and anticipates Ephesians 2:19-22. Christians individually and corporately are indwelt by God's Spirit, making them sacred space. To compromise with idolatry is to defile God's holy dwelling.

As God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them (καθὼς εἶπεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι Ἐνοικήσω ἐν αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω, kathōs eipen ho theos hoti Enoikēsō en autois kai emperipa­tēsō)—Paul combines Leviticus 26:11-12, Ezekiel 37:27, and perhaps other texts in a composite quotation. Enoikeō (dwell in) and emperipateō (walk among) express God's covenant presence—the fulfillment of tabernacle/temple theology. What was promised to Israel now applies to the church.

And I will be their God, and they shall be my people (καὶ ἔσομαι αὐτῶν θεός, καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔσονταί μου λαός, kai esomai autōn theos, kai autoi esontai mou laos)—This is the covenant formula repeated throughout Scripture (Gen 17:7-8; Ex 6:7; Jer 31:33; Ezek 36:28; Rev 21:3). Believers enjoy covenant relationship with the living God, who dwells in them by His Spirit. This sacred identity demands separation from idolatry.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Corinthian church existed in a city filled with pagan temples and idol worship. Temples to Apollo, Aphrodite, and other deities dominated the cityscape. Christians were tempted to compromise by participating in temple feasts and pagan rituals for social or business reasons (1 Cor 8-10). Paul reminds them that they themselves are God's temple, making such compromise unthinkable.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding yourself as 'the temple of the living God' affect your view of personal holiness and what you allow into your life?
  2. What modern 'idols' might you be allowing 'agreement' with in ways that defile God's temple?
  3. How should the reality that God dwells in and walks among His people motivate both personal purity and corporate holiness in the church?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
τίς1 of 32

what

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

δὲ2 of 32

And

G1161

but, and, etc

συγκατάθεσις3 of 32

agreement

G4783

a deposition (of sentiment) in company with, i.e., (figuratively) accord with

ναὸς4 of 32

hath the temple

G3485

a fane, shrine, temple

θεός5 of 32

God

G2316

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

μετὰ6 of 32

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

εἰδώλων7 of 32

idols

G1497

an image (i.e., for worship); by implication, a heathen god, or (plural) the worship of such

ὑμεῖς8 of 32

ye

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

γὰρ9 of 32

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ναὸς10 of 32

hath the temple

G3485

a fane, shrine, temple

θεός11 of 32

God

G2316

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

ἐστε12 of 32

are

G2075

ye are

ζῶντος13 of 32

of the living

G2198

to live (literally or figuratively)

καθὼς14 of 32

as

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

εἶπεν15 of 32

hath said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

16 of 32
G3588

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

θεός17 of 32

God

G2316

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

ὅτι18 of 32
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Ἐνοικήσω19 of 32

I will dwell

G1774

to inhabit (figuratively)

ἐν20 of 32

in

G1722

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

αὐτοὶ21 of 32

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ22 of 32

and

G2532

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

ἐμπεριπατήσω23 of 32

walk in

G1704

to perambulate on a place, i.e., (figuratively) to be occupied among persons

καὶ24 of 32

and

G2532

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

ἔσονταί25 of 32

I will be

G2071

will be

αὐτοὶ26 of 32

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

θεός27 of 32

God

G2316

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

καὶ28 of 32

and

G2532

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

αὐτοὶ29 of 32

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἔσονταί30 of 32

I will be

G2071

will be

μοι31 of 32

my

G3427

to me

λαός32 of 32

people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 6:16 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 2 Corinthians 6:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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