- (KJV) If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
- (LITV) If anyone corrupts the sanctuary of God, God will bring that one to corruption; for the sanctuary of God is holy, which you are.
- (NLT) God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Take note how looking at a verse in a number of versions can bring some revelation. The simplest way to do this is to use the compare button in E-Sword. Simply select the verse you wish to investigate and then hit the Compare button on the top of the screen.
The King James Version has used two different words to translate this passage – defile and destroy. This is misleading. The Greek verb is the same in both cases,
Φθείρω [phtheirō] from φθίω phthiō (to pine or waste): properly to shrivel or wither, that is, to spoil (by any process) or to ruin (especially figuratively by moral influences, to deprave): – corrupt (self), defile, destroy. This information is available to you when clicking the Strong’s number associated with the word in any version with a plus (+) in E-Sword.
“destroy … destroy.” God repays in kind by a righteous retaliation. There is reciprocity involved. The truth here stated is based on the fact that the temple of God was inviolable. That temple was holy; and if any man subsequently destroyed it, it might be presumed that God would destroy him.
. . . which temple you are – you (plural) are that temple. The holy, set apart one by God. it is to be preserved at all costs. What is being referred to here? Why has Paul stated it this way? Clearly this refers to something that he has said before. What is it? Take time to think about this too. I have given you a lot to think about these last couple of days. Go ponder them now and put them altogether.
What part of “Thou Shalt Not…” didn’t you understand?
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