1 Corinthians 6:19

Or know ye not that your body is. temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own;

'Or know ye not' -it appears that each "know ye not" introduces another point in Paul's argumentation. As if Paul were saying, "And if that didn't convince you..or..and if that wasn't enough."

'your body is. temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you' -what was said about the congregation as. whole in 1 Corinthians 3:16, is not said in particular reference to the individual bodies of Christians.

At this point,. think Fee has. good point, i.e. that Paul is turning their own spiritual arrogance against them. 'What Paul seems to be doing is taking over their own theological starting point, namely that they are "spiritual" because they have the Spirit, and redirecting it to include the sanctity of the body. The reality of the indwelling Spirit is now turned against them. They thought the presence of the Spirit meant. negation of the body; Paul argues the exact opposite.' (p. 264)

Some religious groups, like the Corinthians have. false view of "being spiritual". Some think that being "spiritual" means that you don't care what is done with your body. Paul disagrees. Being "spiritual" means that you regard your body as. temple, and THAT IT DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU for the satisfying of sinful desires or selfish whims.

Point to Note:

Paul here doesn't tell us specifically "how" the Spirit dwells in Christians. Many of the Corinthians did have. miraculous gift of the Spirit. We know that the Spirit is said to dwell in Christians when Christians allow themselves to be influenced by His revelation. (Ephesians 5:18; Colossians 3:16)

'and ye are not your own' -'so that you are no longer your own masters.' (Knox); 'you do not belong to yourselves.' (Ber) 'They have been bought and decisions have already been made for them. Harlots are out!.' (McGuiggan p. 81)

Point to Note:

In discussions with those in the denominational world, who claim guidance from the Spirit, we need to remind them, "If the Spirit really does dwell in them"..then that demands something of them-i.e. that they submit to God, that they renounce views that contradict the Bible. "Having the Spirit" doesn't mean that one is "free to serve God anyway one wants". Rather, it means, "being. slave of Christ."