Your Body Is a Temple of the Holy Spirit

A Trauma-Informed SOAP Bible Study on 1 Corinthians 6:12–20

Scripture

Traditional
“‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything. Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food’—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, ‘The two will become one flesh.’ But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
(1 Corinthians 6:12–20, ESV)

Trauma-Informed
Take a breath. Read these words slowly. Notice what feels grounding, steady, or kind.

• “Your body is not your own.”
• “You were bought with a price.”
• “Glorify God in your body.”
  Let those phrases rest with you. What feels like an invitation from God? What feels like a protection?

Observation

Traditional
Paul is writing to the Corinthian church. Corinth was a Roman colony, full of competing gods, festivals, and cultural pressures. Sexual immorality was common and often tied to religious practices of the day. Paul reminds believers that their bodies belong to God, not to cultural customs. The truth revealed here is that our bodies are members of Christ, sacred temples where the Holy Spirit dwells.

Trauma-Informed
Notice the compassion in this passage. God is not harshly condemning, but reminding us: your body matters, your body is safe with Me, your body has value. Paul’s words cut through the confusion of worldly voices and offer a stabilizing truth: you are not abandoned to your desires or the expectations of others. God is a Father who wants to keep His children safe—not to control, but to protect.

Application

Traditional
As followers of Jesus, we are called to honor God with our bodies. That may mean setting healthy boundaries, resisting cultural pressures, or choosing obedience even when it’s hard. When sexual temptation arises, prayer and accountability keep us from being ruled by our flesh.

Trauma-Informed
If you have experienced trauma, your relationship with your body may feel complicated. You may have been hurt by others in ways that make this passage feel heavy. Instead of hearing shame, pause and notice the kindness: God names your body as His temple. He doesn’t shame you for your past. He gently invites you to care for yourself, to reclaim your body as sacred.

Ask:

• Where might God be inviting me into peace today?
• What small, gentle step could I take to honor my body as His dwelling place?
  That step may be rest. It may be saying “no.” It may be allowing yourself to believe: I am worth protecting.

Prayer

Traditional
Lord, forgive me when I dishonor You with my body. Thank You for buying me at a price through Jesus. Help me glorify You in all that I do.

Trauma-Informed
God, thank You that You call my body sacred. Thank You that You live with me and in me, even when I struggle to believe it. Help me rest in Your nearness. Show me one way today I can live as Your beloved temple.

Optional Somatic Practices

• Take three slow, grounding breaths before reading.
• Place a hand on your heart or stomach and notice a word that feels comforting.
• Stretch your body gently, unclench your jaw, notice your feet on the ground.
• Light a candle or sip warm tea as a sensory reminder of God’s presence.

Choose only what feels safe for you. God meets you right where you are.