In John 2:19-21, the word "naos" (G3485) is used to signify the dwelling place of deity, distinct from "hieron," which refers to a shrine or holy building as seen in verse 14. In the New Testament, "naos" is applied metaphorically to the bodies of believers, as noted in I Corinthians 3:16-17 and 6:19. While the Jews interpreted Jesus' statement about destroying the temple as referring to a physical structure, He was speaking of His body, representing the church. This metaphorical use of "naos" underscores that the moment Jesus was resurrected, the church, as the body in which God dwells, became an accomplished fact, with Him as its first member and Head.

In John 2:19-21, the word "naos" (G3485) is used to signify the dwelling place of deity, distinct from "hieron," which refers to a shrine or holy building. While the Jews understood Jesus' reference to the temple as the physical structure, He was speaking metaphorically of His body as the church. In the New Testament, "naos" is often applied metaphorically to the bodies of believers, as seen in I Corinthians 3:16-17 and 6:19. Jesus' statement in John 2:19, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," points to His body as the initial representation of the church, which became an accomplished fact the moment God the Father raised Him from the dead, establishing the church as the body in which God dwells, with Jesus Christ as its first member and Head.

In the discussion of spiritual concepts, the term *naos* (G3485) is used to signify the inner shrine of the temple, distinct from *heiron*, which refers to the entire temple structure. This distinction is crucial in understanding the relationship with God, as it highlights that Christians are built into the *naos*, the inner sanctuary where the priesthood performs its functions. Being part of this inner shrine emphasizes the necessity of close access to God for the spiritual priesthood to carry out its duties. God's temple is not merely a physical structure but a collective of individuals, each seen as a temple of God, with the responsibility to maintain personal purity and holiness. This individual responsibility contributes to the holiness of the entire spiritual community, ensuring that God's dwelling place remains sanctified through the Spirit.