2 Corinthians 6:16
New International Version
What agreement is there 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.”

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.

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.

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 dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

Berean Literal Bible
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them, and will walk among them; and I will be their God, and they will be My people."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall 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.

NASB 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.

NASB 1977
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.

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.

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

Holman 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.

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.

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."

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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Can God's temple contain false gods? Clearly, we are the temple of the living God. As God said, "I will live and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will 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."

International Standard Version
What agreement can a temple of God make with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said: "I will live and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people."

Majority Standard Bible
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

NET Bible
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."

New Heart English Bible
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 will 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.

Weymouth 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."

World English Bible
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 in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And what agreement to the temple of God with idols? For you are a temple 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 will be My people,

Berean Literal Bible
And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them, and will walk among them; and I will be their God, and they will 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,

Smith's Literal Translation
And what agreement to the temple of God with images? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God said, That I will dwell in them, and will go round about; and will be their God, and they shall be a people to me.
Catholic Translations
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And what consensus does the temple of God have with idols? For you are the temple of the living God, just as God says: “I will dwell with them, and I will walk among them. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

New American Bible
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said: “I will live with them and move among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people.

New 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 walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And what agreement does the Temple of God have with demons? But you are the Temple of THE LIVING GOD, just as it is said, “I shall dwell in them and I shall walk in them, and I shall be their God, and they shall be a people to me.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
What has a temple of God in common with one of idols? For you are the temple of the living God, as God has said: I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Godbey New Testament
And what harmony 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 about among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Haweis New Testament
or what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, “I will inhabit in them, and walk about in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be for me a people.”

Mace New Testament
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.

Weymouth 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."

Worrell New Testament
And what agreement has a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God, as God said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

Worsley New Testament
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 I will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Be Unequally Yoked
15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 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 dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” 17“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”…

Cross References
Leviticus 26:12
I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.

Ezekiel 37:27
My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Jeremiah 31:33
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Exodus 29:45
Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.

Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.

1 Corinthians 3:16
Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Ezekiel 11:20
so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God.

Zechariah 8:8
I will bring them back to dwell in Jerusalem, where they will be My people, and I will be their faithful and righteous God.”

John 14:23
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

Romans 8:9
You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Galatians 4:6
And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”

Ephesians 2:21-22
In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. / And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit.

1 John 4:12-13
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. / By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.


Treasury of Scripture

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

what.

Exodus 20:3
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Exodus 23:13
And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

Exodus 34:14
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

ye are.

1 Corinthians 3:16,17
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? …

1 Corinthians 6:19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Ephesians 2:20
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

I will dwell.

Exodus 29:45
And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.

Leviticus 26:12
And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

Psalm 90:1
A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

I will be.

Genesis 17:7,8
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee…

Jeremiah 24:7
And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.

Jeremiah 31:33
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Jump to Previous
Agreement Compact Dwell Ever-Living House Idols Images Live Move Temple Walk Walking
Jump to Next
Agreement Compact Dwell Ever-Living House Idols Images Live Move Temple Walk Walking
2 Corinthians 6
1. That he has approved himself a faithful minister of Christ by his exhortations,
3. and by integrity of life,
4. and by patiently enduring all kinds of affliction and disgrace for the gospel.
10. Of which he speaks the more boldly amongst them because his heart is open to them,
13. and he expects the like affection from them again;
14. exhorting them to flee the society and pollutions of idolaters,
17. as being themselves temples of the living God.














What agreement can exist
The Greek word for "agreement" here is "συγκατάθεσις" (sygkatathesis), which implies a mutual consent or harmony. In the context of the Corinthian church, Paul is emphasizing the impossibility of a harmonious relationship between the sacred and the profane. Historically, Corinth was a city rife with idolatry, and Paul is urging believers to recognize the incompatibility of their faith with pagan practices.

between the temple of God and idols?
The "temple of God" refers to the sacred dwelling place of the divine presence. In the Old Testament, the temple was a physical structure, but Paul redefines it as the community of believers. The Greek word for "idols" is "εἴδωλα" (eidola), which denotes false gods or images. Archaeologically, Corinth was known for its many temples to various deities, making this contrast particularly poignant for the original audience. Paul is calling for a clear distinction between the worship of the one true God and the worship of man-made images.

For we are the temple of the living God
This phrase is a profound declaration of identity and purpose. The Greek word "ναός" (naos) for "temple" signifies the inner sanctuary, the most sacred part of the temple. Paul is asserting that believers collectively embody the sacred space where God resides. The term "living God" contrasts with lifeless idols, emphasizing the dynamic and active presence of God among His people. This reflects the transformative power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers, making them holy and set apart.

As God has said
Paul introduces a quotation from the Old Testament, grounding his argument in the authority of Scripture. This phrase indicates that what follows is a divine promise, underscoring the continuity of God's covenantal relationship with His people throughout history.

'I will dwell with them and walk among them,'
This promise echoes Leviticus 26:12 and Ezekiel 37:27, where God assures His presence among His people. The Greek word "ἐνοικέω" (enoikeo) for "dwell" conveys the idea of making a permanent home. "Walk among them" suggests an intimate, ongoing relationship, reminiscent of God's fellowship with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. This imagery reassures believers of God's constant presence and guidance in their lives.

and I will be their God, and they will be My people
This covenantal language is foundational to the identity of God's people. It reflects the promise made to Abraham and reiterated throughout the Scriptures. The relationship is reciprocal and exclusive, highlighting God's commitment to His people and their call to faithfulness. This phrase encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith: belonging to God and living in accordance with His will.

(16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?--Here we see clearly the drift of the Apostle's thoughts. His mind travels back to the controversy about things sacrificed to idols. Was there not a risk that what he had said about "width" and "expansion" of feeling would be perverted by those who claimed the right to sit at an idol's feast even in the precincts of the idol's temple (1Corinthians 8:10)? Against that perversion he thinks it necessary to enter his protest. And the ground of that protest is that they, collectively and individually (1Corinthians 3:16; 1Corinthians 6:19), are the temples of God, and that there can be no "agreement" between that temple and one dedicated to an idol. The word translated "agreement" expresses, like the English, a compact or treaty of alliance. In modern phrase, a concordat between the two antagonistic systems was an impossibility.

I will dwell in them, and walk in them.--The citation which follows is, like many others in St. Paul's writings, a composite one: Leviticus 26:12 giving, "I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people;" and Exodus 29:45, "I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God." The implied premise is that wherever God dwells there is His temple. The word indicates the "sanctuary," or holiest part of the temple. (See Note on John 2:19.) . . .

Verse 16. - What agreement. The word means "unity of composition." This is the fifth synonym which St. Paul has used in this clause - μετοχὴ κοινωνία συμφώνησις, μερὶς συγκατάθεσις. The verb συγκατάθημι occurs in Luke 23:51. St. Paul in this chapter shows an almost unwonted command over the Greek language. With idols (Matthew 6:24; 1 John 5:21). Ye. "We" is the reading of א, B, D, L. Ewald, without sufficient ground, makes it one of his arguments for regarding this section as interpolated (comp. 2 Corinthians 5:21). Are the temple of the living God. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every Christian heart, which is the distinguishing result of the new covenant, was very prominent in the thoughts of St. Paul (1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 2:21, 22; 1 Timothy 3:15; comp. 1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 3:6). As God hath said. The quotation is altered slightly from the LXX. of Leviticus 26:12. But in this and the next verses we have "a mosaic of citations" from this passage and Exodus 29:45; Isaiah 53:11; Ezekiel 20:34; 2 Samuel 7:14; comp. Jeremiah 31:9; Isaiah 43:6. This mode of compressing the essence of various quotations into one passage was common among the rabbis. In them. In the original Hebrew this means "among them" (Exodus 29:45; Leviticus 26:12). since the indwelling of God by his Holy Spirit belongs only to the new covenant.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
What
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

agreement
συνκατάθεσις (synkatathesis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4783: Assent, agreement, concord, alliance. From sugkatatithemai; a deposition in company with, i.e. accord with.

[can exist] between
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

the temple
ναῷ (naō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3485: A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple.

of God
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

[and] idols?
εἰδώλων (eidōlōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 1497: An idol, false god. From eidos; an image; by implication, a heathen god, or the worship of such.

For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

we
ἡμεῖς (hēmeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

are
ἐσμεν (esmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

[the] temple
ναὸς (naos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3485: A temple, a shrine, that part of the temple where God himself resides. From a primary naio; a fane, shrine, temple.

of [the] living
ζῶντος (zōntos)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.

God.
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

As
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

has said:
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“I will live
Ἐνοικήσω (Enoikēsō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1774: To dwell in, be settled (stationary) in; met: To be indwelling. From en and oikeo; to inhabit.

with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

them
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

walk among [them],
ἐμπεριπατήσω (emperipatēsō)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1704: From en and peripateo; to perambulate on a place, i.e. to be occupied among persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

I will be
ἔσομαι (esomai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

God,
Θεός (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they
αὐτοὶ (autoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

will be
ἔσονταί (esontai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

people.”
λαός (laos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.


Links
2 Corinthians 6:16 NIV
2 Corinthians 6:16 NLT
2 Corinthians 6:16 ESV
2 Corinthians 6:16 NASB
2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV

2 Corinthians 6:16 BibleApps.com
2 Corinthians 6:16 Biblia Paralela
2 Corinthians 6:16 Chinese Bible
2 Corinthians 6:16 French Bible
2 Corinthians 6:16 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 6:16 What agreement has a temple of God (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 6:15
Top of Page
Top of Page