1 Corinthians 3:17
What does 1 Corinthians 3:17 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 3:17 means
The warning is stark: “If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy.” To harm the church—by false teaching, divisiveness, or predatory behavior—is to assault what is holy. God identifies with His temple and will act in justice against those who tear it down. Paul declares this because “the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.” Their identity as holy is grounded in God’s claim upon them, not their performance. This verse brings gravity to church life: how we speak, teach, and relate either protects or damages God’s dwelling. The threat is real because God zealously guards what belongs to Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If anyone makes the house of God unclean, God will put an end to him; for the house of God is holy, and you are his house.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if any one the sanctuary of God doth waste, him shall God waste; for the sanctuary of God is holy, the which ye are.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But if any man violate the temple of God, him shall God destroy. For the temple of God is holy, which you are.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If any one corrupt the temple ofGod, him shallGod destroy; for the temple ofGod is holy, and such are ye.
Context
Flowing from verse 16’s temple identity, Paul issues a severe caution against those who corrupt or destroy the church. This warning heightens the earlier accountability for builders. Next, in verses 18–20, Paul addresses the root error—self-deception through worldly wisdom—and quotes Scripture to show God’s judgment on such pride. The sequence ties temple-harming behavior to a false standard of wisdom; the cure is to embrace God’s wisdom by humble dependence.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 93:5
Thy testimonies are very sure: Holiness becometh thy house, O Jehovah, for evermore.
- Leviticus 20:3
I also will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.
- Psalms 99:9
Exalt ye Jehovah our God, And worship at his holy hill; For Jehovah our God is holy.
- Ezekiel 7:22
My face will I turn also from them, and they shall profane my secret place; and robbers shall enter into it, and profane it.
- Ezekiel 23:38
Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my sabbaths.
- Isaiah 64:11
Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned with fire; and all our pleasant places are laid waste.
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