Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?
Read all of 1 Corinthians 3 NIV
Read 1 Corinthians 3:16 in another translation
AMP ASV BBE DRB ESV KJV MSG NAS NIV NKJV NLT NRS RSV WEB YLT14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved-even though only as one escaping through the flames.
16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?
17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become "fools" so that you may become wise.
Commentary on Today's Verse
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
(Read 1 Corinthians 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 pollute, and destroy the building, which should be kept pure and holy for God. Those who spread loose principles, which render the church of God unholy, bring destruction upon themselves. Christ by his Spirit dwells in all true believers. Christians are holy by profession, and should be pure and clean, both in heart and conversation. He is deceived who deems himself the temple of the Holy Ghost, yet is unconcerned about personal holiness, or the peace and purity of the church.