Free Bible Commentary
“2 Corinthians 6:11-18”
Categories: 2 Corinthians“Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, ‘I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,’ says the Lord. ‘AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,’ Says the Lord Almighty.”
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Paul was greatly saddened by the fact that he had opened his heart up to the brethren in Corinth, and many of them had stomped on it. He felt great love and affection for them, but they were being swooned by the influences of manipulative and opportunistic people (verse 12). Paul was the “father” who had begotten them by the Gospel (1 Corinthians 4:15), and yet they childishly spurned his legitimate care for their soul’s salvation. Their willingness to give heed to the seductive words of false teachers made for an unholy “partnership” (verse 14), and they were in dire need of repentance and separation.
The warning for us is to beware of the strong influences of worldly people, things and situations. God’s people should be lights that shine in the world (Matthew 5:14-16). Light has no “fellowship” with darkness, but even “exposes” the unfruitful deeds that are done in the blackness of sin (Ephesians 5:11). Christ has no harmony with “Belial” (“worthlessness,” “extreme wickedness” – likely a reference to Satan). Just so, no believer has much spiritually in common with an unbeliever (verse 15), other than the need for a Savior.
God considers His people (collectively and individually) to be His holy temple (verse 16). God dwells in us and walks among us (verse 16), if we “come out from their midst” and allow the word of God to sanctify us and set us apart from the world and to His Son (verse 17). It is the most blessed privilege of all to be called a spiritual son or daughter of “the Lord Almighty” (verse 18). But that honor demands a different way of thinking, talking and living.
Is there a noticeable (righteous) difference between our words and actions and that of the people of the world at large? God is watching, and He knows who belongs to Him!
Please read 2 Corinthians 7:1-4 for tomorrow.
Blessings!
- Louie Taylor
