If I were to ask you this question: “What do you think is the most magnificent architectural structure today?”
What would you answer?
You might struggle for a moment to come up with an answer … because there are so many magnificent architectural structures today!
Hubby and I have recently been enjoying watching a tv series about architecturally incredible homes around the world. All across our world there are so many incredible architecturally amazing buildings!
In the first century, when Paul was in the city of Corinth, if we were to ask this same question: “What do you think is the most magnificent architectural structure today?” … the answers would unanimously be the temples!
The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient world! It was 180 feet wide, 350 feet in length. It had 127 columns which stood about 60 feet tall! That’s the same height as the enormous cedar and fir trees in mine and hubby’s forest! That’s amazing!
The Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens was the size of a football field, and more than twice the square footage of the Parthenon atop the Acropolis!
In the ancient city of Corinth, there were three temples: the Temple of Aphrodite high atop the Acrocorinth, the Temple of Apollo, and the Temple of Octavia.
The people of Corinth evidently excelled in architectural design … because one of the primary forms of Greek architecture across the ancient world was the “Corinthian” column.
Doric architecture used stocky columns with plain square capitals on top. Here you can see Doric columns on the Temple of Apollo in Corinth. This temple originally had 6 columns along each end, and 15 columns along the length.
Here you can see Doric columns on the great Parthenon, atop the Acropolis in Athens.
Here you can see Doric columns in Ephesus.
Ionic architecture used thinner columns topped with capitals which looked like rolled scrolls. Here you can see Ionic columns on the Temple of Athena Nike, high atop the Acropolis in Athens.
Here the Erechtheion – Temple to Athena Polias/“Protector of the City” (also located high atop the Acropolis in Athens) is likewise built using Ionic columns.
Here you can see an Ionic capital in Ephesus.
Corinthian architecture was more elaborate and ornate. Corinthian columns were specifically designed to give the interiors of temples a “forested” feel. Corinthian capitals were leafy and highly decorative.
Here you can see Corinthian capitals among the ruins of Corinth.
Here you can see further examples of Corinthian capitals in Corinth.
And here you can see Corinthians columns and capitals adorning the facade of the Library of Celsus in Ephesus.
I am a very visual person … I learn best through pictures and object lessons. The Apostle Paul, in teaching the brand-new followers of Jesus in the city of Corinth … he used an object lesson.
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? … God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Oh, the people of Corinth got that!
The Temple of Artemis in Ephesus – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World! – contained a statue of the goddess Artemis within. Sacrifices of worship were brought for the goddess.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens contained an enormous 41-foot-tall statue within, of the ruler of the gods – Zeus. Sacrifices of worship were brought for the god.
The Temple of Athena Nike, high atop the Acropolis in Athens, held a statue of Athena, celebrating the victory / “nike” which Athena brought them over the Persians. This statue was made of wood, with Athena holding a helmet in her left hand, and a pomegranate in her right. This statue was never given wings, because the people didn’t want the goddess to fly away … but rather they wanted her to stay and protect their city. Sacrifices of worship were brought here for the goddess.
The Erechtheion – Temple of Athena Polias/ “Protector of the City” contained a life-size olive-wood statue of Athena within. Sacrifices of worship were brought here for both Athena and Poseidon.
The Parthenon – Temple of Athena the Virgin – contained an enormous 37-foot, 9-inch statue within of the goddess Athena. Sacrifices of worship were brought for the goddess.
Therefore … when Paul told the brand-new Christians in Corinth: “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” … the people of Corinth knew exactly what this meant!
All the amazing temples … to all the gods and goddesses … with statues inside of the gods and goddesses … this right here is what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Our very lives are the temple! How mind-blowing is that!!
And not only that … God’s Spirit/ the Holy Spirit lives inside us! Just like the “gods” and “goddesses” “living” in the temples via the statues. This is absolutely mind-blowing! Deity lives inside us! This is absolutely mind-blowing!
Paul reiterates this truth in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? … therefore honor God with your body.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
If you have repented of your sin and have put your faith in Jesus Christ who is the Son of God and the Savior of the world … then YOU are God’s temple.
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ … YOU are God’s temple … and God himself (the Holy Spirit) lives in you!
If you are a Jesus-follower … your very life is the sacrifice of worship that you offer to God. Your praise to God is the sacrifice of worship that you offer to God. Your acts of love, compassion, and kindness towards others are the sacrifice of worship that you offer to God.
“You, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house [temple] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 2:5
“Therefore, I urge you, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” – Romans 12:1
“Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise.” – Hebrews 13:15
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
YOU are God’s temple!
