The third image arises quite naturally from the second image. The church is not just any kind of building—it is God’s temple. This image illustrates the holy character of the church. The word you
in 1 Corinthians 3:16–17 is used in the plural sense. Paul is addressing the whole church of Corinth. Together, they are the temple of God, since God dwells in them through his Spirit.
This statement shows that Paul still views the Corinthians as people who have the Spirit, even though they behave in an immature, fleshly way (1 Corinthians 3:1–4). He wants to remind them of their identity.
16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?