Gr. naos, a word used by the ancient Greeks to describe the innermost cell or shrine in the temple, where the image of the heathen god was placed. In the NT naos, distinguishes the Temple building from the Temple complex—the Temple and related structures—the hieron (cf. on Matt. 4:5).

 Paul turns his attention to those who constitute the spiritual building. Collectively they make up the spiritual temple of God in which resides the Spirit of God. Paul is here speaking primarily of the church and is warning his successors at Corinth against bringing injury to the church in any way (1 Cor. 3:17). It is true, of course, that the individual Christian is also the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, but this thought is given primary emphasis in ch. 6:19, 20 (see comment there).