2 Corinthians 6:14-19 (WEL) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what does righteousness have in common with unrighteousness? What fellowship is there between light and darkness? 15 What harmony does Christ have with Satan? What does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What does the Temple of God have in agreement with idols? For you are the Temple of the Living God, just as God has said, “I will live in them and walk in them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” [Leviticus 26:12, Jeremiah 32:38, and Ezekiel 37:27] 17 “So then come out from among them. Be separate,” says the Lord, “and do not touch what is unclean, then I will accept you.” [Isaiah 52:11 and Ezekiel 20:34,41] 18 “And I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty. [Compare 2 Samuel 7:14, 7:8, Exodus 29:45, Leviticus 26:12, and Ezekiel 37:27].
V14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what does righteousness have in common with unrighteousness? What fellowship is there between light and darkness?
The image is of two people/organizations/politics, etc., hitched together working/living/fellowshipping, etc., together. We must not be in partnerships in business, marriage, church, etc., with unbelievers. They usually cause a believer to drift away from the truth. Ancient Israel was warned with the same principle in Exodus 34:12-16.
If one is already in such a relationship, then leave as soon as you can. If it is marriage, then the Scriptures already have the answer. See 1 Corinthians 7:12-16.
(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) “SANCTIFICATION—the process of God’s grace by which the believer is separated from sin and becomes dedicated to God’s righteousness. Accomplished by the Word of God (John 17:7) and the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:3–4), sanctification results in holiness, or purification from the guilt and power of sin. Sanctification as separation from the world and setting apart for God’s service is a concept found throughout the Bible.”
Sanctification is a separation from evil. Our souls and spirits are already separated (1 Corinthians 6:11), but we need a good attitude and determination that with God’s help, we will separate from evil. Compare 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (separate from sexual immorality), 1 Corinthians 1:13 (Jesus is our example and source of what is separation and what is not), not conformed to the world’s system (Romans 12:1-3), speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and separate from many evils and also growth in knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures (1 Peter 2:1-3).
V15 What harmony does Christ have with Satan? What does a believer share with an unbeliever?
The underlying reason for separation: God and humans are separated because God is holy and humans are unholy. Jesus, God the Son, came to Earth to be the Passover Lamb to any human who would believe and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:31 and John 6:36). There is no other person or system (Acts 4:12).
There is a place for separation as in verse 17, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, and Ephesians 5:11.
V16 What does the Temple of God have in agreement with idols? For you are the Temple of the Living God, just as God has said, “I will live in them and walk in them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” [Leviticus 26:12, Jeremiah 32:38, and Ezekiel 37:27]
The Temple in the Old Testament was so holy that only the priests could enter into the Holy Place, and only the High Priest, one a year, could enter God’s presence in the Holy of Holies.
The believer in Jesus Christ also has the Holy Spirit indwelling our soul/spirit (heart). See John 14:17 (the promise of being “in” believers) and Romans 8:9-11 (present now). Compare Matthew 6:24.
V17 “So then come out from among them. Be separate,” says the Lord, “and do not touch what is unclean, then I will accept you.” [Isaiah 52:11 and Ezekiel 20:34,41]
God wants holiness. Holiness equals forgiven sins and aligning body, soul, and spirit with God’s standards (Galatians 6:2). No one is perfect or sinless, nor can we be. The requirement is to be blameless (1 Thessalonians 3:13, Philippians 2:13, and 2 Peter 3:13).
V18 “And I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty. [Compare 2 Samuel 7:14, 7:8, Exodus 29:45, Leviticus 26:12, and Ezekiel 37:27].
This is a promise of godly fellowship with the Father. If we believers are not blameless, we pray, “God forgive me of our sins.” Compare John 13:10-11.
The Lord Jesus is our source and help (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Being blameless is required as Abraham in Genesis 17:1 and Proverbs 11:20.
We learn:
• The importance of a holy life as taught in the New Testament and guided by the Holy Spirit.
• Principles and reasons for holiness.
Questions:
• Are you holy? What is holy in you, and what is not?
• How do you know what holiness is?