DISPENSATIONAL TRUTH

Temple

It is important that we observe the distinction that the two Greek words translated �temple� indicate.

Hieron, a sacred place associated with the office of a priest hiereus. �Hieron is used of the whole compass of the sacred enclosure, including the outer courts, porches, and all the other subordinate buildings appertaining to the Temple� (Dr. Bullinger�s Lexicon).

Naos on the other hand, derived from naio �to dwell�, refers properly to the innermost shrine of the temple. The veil that was rent was before the naos (Matt. 27:51); it is this word which is used by Stephen (Acts 7:48) and Paul (Acts 17:24), and in Acts 19:24 naos is translated �shrine�. When Paul speaks in Ephesians 2:21 of the church under the figure of a temple, it is this, the innermost shrine, not the whole of the sacred building to which he refers. In one passage, namely Luke 11:51, the word translated �temple� is oikos a house. The structure of Ephesians (see EPHESIANS), places the Temple �fitly framed together� (Eph. 2:21) in structural correspondence with the Body �fitly joined together� (Eph. 4:16). For sidelights on this theme, see the article entitled HOUSE which contains an exhibition in outline of the inter -relationship of Israel�s spiritual history with their attitude to the Temple as the house of God.

An Alphabetical Analysis