2 Corinthians 6:16

THE MESSAGE

Parallel Translations

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

Legacy Standard Bible
Or what agreement has a sanctuary of God with idols? For we are a sanctuary of the living God; just as God said,"I will dwell in them and walk among them;And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Simplified Cowboy Version
You wouldn't find Greek idols in God's casa, would you? Well, then why do you have idols. Don't you know you are God's casa now?Remember, the Boss said, "I'm gonna live in 'em and ride among them. I'm gonna be their God and they're gonna be my cowboys.

Bible in Basic English
And what agreement has the house of God with images? for we are a house of the living God; even as God has said, I will be living among them, and walking with them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Darby Translation
and what agreement of God's temple with idols? for *ye* are [the] living God's temple; according as God has said, I will dwell among them, and walk among [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be to me a people.

Christian Standard Bible®
And what agreement does God's sanctuary have with idols? For we are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said: I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.

World English Bible
What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? Now 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 to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.

Weymouth's New Testament
And what compact has the Temple of God with idols? For *we* are the Temple of the ever-living God; as God has said, "I will dwell among them, and walk about among them; and will be their God, and it is they who shall be My people."

King James Version (1611)
And what agreement hath the Temple of God with idoles? for ye are the Temple of the liuing God, as God hath saide, I will dwell in them, and walke in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Literal Translation
And what agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God, even as God said, "I will" dwell in them and "walk among them , and I will betheir God, and they shall be My people." Lev. 26:12; Ezek. 37:27

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
How acordeth ye teple of God with ymages? Ye are the temple of the lyuynge God, as sayeth God: I wyl dwell in them, and walke in them, and wyl be their God, & they shalbe my people.

Mace New Testament (1729)
and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God has said , "I will dwell with, and walk among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Amplified Bible
What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said: "I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

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

Revised Standard Version
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
how agreeth the temple of god wt ymages? And ye are the temple of yt lyuynge god as sayde god. I will dwell amonge the and walke amoge the and wilbe their god: and they shalbe my people.

Update Bible Version
And what agreement has a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Young's Literal Translation
and what agreement to the sanctuary of God with idols? for ye are a sanctuary of the living God, according as God said -- `I will dwell in them, and will walk among [them], and I will be their God, and they shall be My people,

New Century Version
The temple of God cannot have any agreement with idols, and we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live with them and walk with them. And I will be their God, and they will be my people."

New English Translation
And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, " I will live in them and will walk among them , and I will be their God , and they will be my people ."

Berean Standard Bible
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people."

Contemporary English Version
Do idols belong in the temple of God? We are the temple of the living God, as God himself says, "I will live with these people and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people."

Complete Jewish Bible
What agreement can there be between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God — as God said, "I will house myself in them, . . . and I will walk among you. I will be their God, and they will be my people."

English Standard Version
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And what agreement hath the Temple of God with idols? for ye are the Temple of the liuing God: as God hath said, I will dwell among them, and walke there: and I will be their God, and they shalbe my people.

George Lamsa Translation
Or what harmony has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as it is said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Hebrew Names Version
What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

International Standard Version
What agreement can a temple of God make with idols? For weyou (pl.)">[fn] are the temple of the living God, just as God said:Exodus 29:45; Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 31:33; 32:38; Ezekiel 11:20; 36:28; 37:26; Zechariah 8:8; 13:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Ephesians 2:21-22; Hebrews 3:6;">[xr] "I will live and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people."Leviticus 26:12; Ezekiel 37:27">[fn]

Etheridge Translation
Or what union hath the temple of Aloha with (that) of demons? For you are the temple of Aloha the living; as it is written, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; And I will be their God, And they shall be to me a people.

Murdock Translation
or what agreement hath the temple of God with that of demons? For ye are the temple of the living God; as it is said, I will dwell among them, and walk among them, and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

New King James Version
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you [fn] are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in themAnd walk among them.I will be their God,And they shall be My people." Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27 ">[fn]

New Living Translation
And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

New Life Bible
How can the house of God get along with false gods? We are the house of the living God. God has said, "I will live in them and will walk among them. I will be their God and they will be My people."

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

New Revised Standard
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And what agreement hath a shrine of God with idols? For, we, are the shrine of a God, that liveth: - even as God hath said - will dwell in them, and walk, and will be their God, and, they, shall be my people.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God: as God saith: I will dwell in them and walk among them. And I will be their God: and they shall be my people.

King James Version
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.

Lexham English Bible
And what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, "I will live in them and will walk about among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people."

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Or howe agreeth the temple of God with images? For ye are the temple of the lyuing God, as saide God, I wyll dwell in them, & walke in [them] & wyll be their God, & they shalbe my people.

Easy-to-Read Version
God's temple cannot have anything to do with idols, and we are the temple of the living God. As God said, "I will live with them and walk with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people."

New American Standard Bible
Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

Good News Translation
How can God's temple come to terms with pagan idols? For we are the temple of the living God! As God himself has said, "I will make my home with my people and live among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and what consent to the temple of God with mawmetis? And ye ben the temple of the lyuynge God, as the Lord seith, For Y schal dwelle in hem, and Y schal walke among hem; and Y schal be God of hem, and thei schulen be a puple to me.

Contextual Overview

¹¹Dear, dear Corinthians, I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively! ¹⁴Don't become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That's not partnership; that's war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God's holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: "I'll live in them, move into them; I'll be their God and they'll be my people. So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good," says God. "Don't link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself. I'll be a Father to you; you'll be sons and daughters to me." The Word of the Master, God.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

what: Exodus 20:3, Exodus 23:13, Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:23, Deuteronomy 4:24, Deuteronomy 5:7, Deuteronomy 6:14, Deuteronomy 6:15, Joshua 24:14-24, 1 Samuel 7:3, 1 Samuel 7:4, 1 Kings 18:21, 2 Kings 17:33, 2 Kings 17:34, 2 Kings 21:4, 2 Kings 21:5, 2 Kings 23:5-7, 2 Chronicles 33:4, 2 Chronicles 33:5, Ezekiel 36:25, Hosea 14:8, Zephaniah 1:5, Matthew 6:24, 1 John 5:20, 1 John 5:21

ye are: 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 2:20, Hebrews 3:6, 1 Peter 2:5

I will dwell: Exodus 29:45, Leviticus 26:12, Psalms 90:1, Ezekiel 43:7, Ezekiel 43:9, Zechariah 2:10, Zechariah 2:11, John 6:56, Romans 8:9, Romans 8:11, Ephesians 3:17, 2 Timothy 1:14, 1 John 4:12, 1 John 4:15, Revelation 21:3

I will be: Genesis 17:7, Genesis 17:8, Jeremiah 24:7, Jeremiah 31:33, Jeremiah 32:38, Ezekiel 11:20, Ezekiel 36:28, Ezekiel 37:26, Ezekiel 37:27, Hosea 2:23, Zechariah 8:8, Zechariah 13:9, Romans 9:26, Hebrews 8:10, Revelation 21:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 5:22 - General Exodus 25:8 - I may dwell Leviticus 19:30 - reverence Leviticus 20:3 - profane Numbers 5:3 - in the midst Numbers 6:2 - When Numbers 23:21 - the Lord Numbers 25:2 - they called Numbers 35:34 - I dwell Deuteronomy 5:26 - living Deuteronomy 23:14 - walketh Joshua 24:23 - put away Ruth 1:16 - thy God 1 Samuel 15:23 - stubbornness 2 Samuel 7:6 - walked 1 Kings 6:1 - build 1 Kings 6:13 - I will dwell 1 Kings 8:27 - But will 1 Kings 22:4 - I am as thou 1 Chronicles 17:6 - walked 1 Chronicles 23:25 - that they may dwell in Jerusalem 2 Chronicles 16:3 - a league 2 Chronicles 29:5 - sanctify the house Psalms 68:18 - that Psalms 114:2 - General Jeremiah 11:4 - ye be Jeremiah 14:9 - art Jeremiah 44:23 - ye have burned Ezekiel 48:8 - the sanctuary Daniel 2:11 - whose Joel 2:27 - I am Zechariah 2:6 - and flee Zechariah 8:3 - dwell Matthew 12:30 - that is Luke 5:36 - agreeth Luke 20:38 - for all John 2:21 - temple John 14:17 - but 1 Corinthians 3:9 - ye are God's building 2 Corinthians 3:3 - the living 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Jesus Christ Galatians 4:7 - heir Ephesians 2:21 - an Ephesians 4:6 - and in Colossians 1:27 - Christ 1 Thessalonians 1:9 - the living 1 Timothy 3:15 - the living Hebrews 9:14 - the living Hebrews 10:21 - the house 1 John 3:24 - dwelleth 1 John 4:4 - greater Revelation 7:15 - dwell Revelation 11:1 - Rise

Cross-References

2 Kings 9:30
When Jezebel heard that Jehu had arrived in Jezreel, she made herself up—put on eyeshadow and arranged her hair—and posed seductively at the window. When Jehu came through the city gate, she called down, "So, how are things, ‘Zimri,' you dashing king-killer?"

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?.... That is, what association, confederation, or covenant agreement can the saints, who are the temple of God, have with idols, or their worshippers? no more than the ark of the Lord had with Dagon, or Dagon with the ark; which when brought into his temple, and set by him, the idol fell down, and part of him was broke to pieces:

for ye are the temple of the living God; some copies read "we are", and so the Ethiopic version. The Corinthians, not only as particular believers, were the temples of God, both with respect to their souls and bodies, but they, as a church of Christ incorporated together, were the temple of God; wherefore the apostle does not say, ye are the "temples", but "the temple" of the living God, in allusion to the temple built by Solomon; and that in respect to him the builder of it, who was a type of Christ, the son of David, the Prince of peace, the beloved of the Lord, who was to build the temple, the Gospel church, and to bear the glory; and as Solomon's temple was built on an eminence, on Mount Moriah, so the church is built upon a rock, higher than men, than angels, than the heavens, and out of the reach of men and devils, so as to hurt and destroy it. The matter of the temple at Jerusalem were timber of cedar, and costly stones, hewed, squared, and fitted for the building, before they were brought thither; so the proper materials of a Gospel church are such as are born of incorruptible seed, and therefore comparable to cedars; and are lively stones, hewed, fitted, and squared by the Spirit and grace of God, and put and jointed in among the saints: Solomon's temple was a very stately magnificent building; it was overlaid within with pure gold, expressing the internal glory of Christ's church, which is all glorious within, having the Lord himself to be the Glory in the midst of her: the church of Christ may be compared to the temple also, for the firmness of its foundations and pillars; Christ is the foundation of his church, and that itself is the pillar and ground of truth: that temple was holy, being set apart for the worship and service of God, as the church of Christ is sanctified by the Spirit of God, and is built up a spiritual house, to offer the spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise to God: it is called the "temple of God", because it is of his building, and where he dwells; "of the living God", because he has life in himself, and gives both spiritual and eternal life to his people; and in opposition to the idols of the Gentiles, who have no life in them; are representations of dead men, cannot give life, nor any of the comforts of life to their votaries; and who, by worshipping them, expose themselves to eternal death. The evidence of the saints, or church of Christ being the temple of the living God, is as follows,

as God hath said, Leviticus 26:11. I will dwell in them; not by his omnipresence, so he dwells everywhere; nor by his omnipotence, so he dwells in, and with all his creatures, supporting them by the word of his power; but by his Spirit and grace, or by his spiritual and gracious presence, which he favours his people with, in the use of ordinances, and where according to his promises they may expect it:

and walk in them. This denotes the communion God is pleased to afford his church and people, and that gracious presence of his with them, whilst they are sojourners here, and passing on to the heavenly glory; as God is said to "walk in a tent and tabernacle" with the "Israelites", whilst they were travelling through the wilderness to Canaan; so he walks in his temple, and with his church and people, whilst they are travelling home to the heavenly Canaan; he walks in them, as in his court and palace, or as in his garden, where he takes much pleasure and delight, and great notice and care of them. R. Solomon Jarchi explains the phrase in Leviticus 26:12 "I will walk among you", thus; I will walk with you in the garden of Eden, or paradise, as one of you, and ye shall not be afraid of me: but the passage regards the presence of God with his people here, and not hereafter:

and I will be their God; not as the God of nature and providence only, but as the God of all grace; as their covenant God and Father in Christ; which is the greatest happiness that can be enjoyed:

and they shall be my people: his special people, loved by him with a peculiar love, on whom he bestows peculiar blessings; and who are made a willing people, willing to be his people by powerful grace, and are formed for himself, his service, and glory: hence it follows,

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And what agreement - (συγκατάθεσις sugkatathesis). Assent, accord, agreement. what putting or laying down together is there? What is there in one that resembles the other?

The temple of God - What has a temple of God to do with idol worship? It is erected for a different purpose, and the worship of idols in it would not be tolerated. It is implied here that Christians are themselves the temple of God, a fact which Paul proceeds immediately to illustrate; and that it is as absurd for them to mingle with the infidel world as it would be to erect the image of a pagan god in the temple of Yahweh. This is strong language, and we cannot but admire the energy and copiousness of the expressions used by Paul, “which cannot,” says Bloomfield, “be easily paralleled in the best Classical writers.”

With idols - Those objects which God hates, and on which he cannot look but with abhorrence. The sense is, that for Christians to mingle with the sinful world; to partake of their pleasures, pursuits, and follies, is as detestable and hateful in the sight of God as if his temple were profaned by erecting a deformed, and shapeless, and senseless block in it as an object of worship. And, assuredly, if Christians had such a sense of the abomination of mingling with the world, they would feel the obligation to be separate and pure.

For ye are the temple of the living God - see this explained in the notes on 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. The idea is, that as God dwells with his people, they ought to be separated from a sinful and polluted world.

As God hath said - The words here quoted are taken substantially from Exodus 29:45; Leviticus 26:12; Ezekiel 37:27. They are not literally quoted, but Paul has thrown together the substance of what occurs in several places. The sense, however, is the same as occurs in the places referred to.

I will dwell in them - (ἐνοικήτω enoikētō). I will take up my indwelling in them. There is an allusion doubtless to the fact that he would be present among his people by the Sechinah, or the visible symbol of his presence; see the note on 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. It implies, when used with reference to Christians, that the Holy Spirit would abide with them, and that the blessing of God would attend them; see Romans 8:0; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:14.

And walk in them - That is, I will walk among them. I will be one of their number. He was present among the Jews by the public manifestation of his presence by a symbol; he is present with Christians by the presence and guidance of his Holy Spirit.

And I will be their God - Not only the God whom they worship, but the God who will protect and bless them. I will take them under my special protection, and they shall enjoy my favor. This is certainly as true of Christians as it was of the Jews, and Paul has not departed from the spirit of the promise in applying it to the Christian character. His object in quoting these passages is, to impress on Christians the solemnity and importance of the truth that God dwelt among them and with them; that they were under his care and protection; that they belonged to him, and that they therefore should be separate from the world.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 16. What agreement hath the temple of God with idols — Nothing could appear more abominable to a Jew than an idol in the temple of God: here, then, could be no agreement; the worship of the two is wholly incompatible. An idolater never worships the true God; a Christian never worships an idol. If ye join in idolatrous rites, it is impossible that ye should be Christians.

Ye are the temple of the living God — God intends to make the heart of every believer his own house.

I will dwell in them, and walk in them] The words are very emphatic: ενοικησωεναυτοις. I will inhabit in them. I will not be as a wayfaring man, who turns aside to tarry as for a night, but I will take up my constant residence with them; I will dwell in and among them.

I will be their God — They shall have no other God, they shall have none besides me; and if they take me for their God, I will be to them all that an infinite, eternal, and self-sufficient Being can be to his intelligent offspring.

They shall be my people. — If they take me for their GOD, their supreme and eternal GOOD, I will take them for my people; and instruct, enlighten, defend, provide for, support, and bless them, as if I had none else to care for in the creation.