16 Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell among them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty.
In this chapter, the Apostle Paul is giving general admonitions that would have particular significance to the context of the lives of the Corinthian church and their deeply pagan background.
He discusses various relationships, starting with the most important relationships in our lives and the principle in 2 Corinthians 6:14: “Do not be bound together with unbelievers.” While not entirely focused on marriage, it is an important and time-consuming relationship. He continues with: “For what partnership has righteousness (a state of being made right with God) and lawlessness (a state of disfavor with God). Partnership is different than being yoked together. Verse 14 continues “…or what fellowship has light with darkness?” The Christian wants to maintain proper allegiances in fellowship without rationalization or compromise of scriptural principles. Ideally, we want to walk away from any ties that are of this world, that are therefore unclean (in terms of godliness) and that can deter us from that which we have covenanted to do. “Be ye separate.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 describes the Christian as an “ambassador” for Christ. An ambassador is an accredited diplomat sent by a country as its official representative to a foreign country. They represent their home country’s interests while living in a host country.
Paul goes on to compare what a believer has in common with an unbeliever in verse 15 and the disconnect between the two.
The admonishment is to “Watch your heart with all diligence.” We have a choice as to whom and what we bind our hearts. We need to be careful in our relationships and walk away from evil whenever possible. In our experiences with the world around us, we have to have some level of engagement but are still to be separate. The Apostle Paul is warning that even though we have Christian liberty, we must use our highest spiritual thinking, applying our liberty in a Christlike fashion.
Additional Resources:
Audio Sermon: “Be Ye Separate”
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1059: “You’re a Christian, But Are You Holy?”
The meaning of holiness and of being set apart for God’s purpose
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Episode #848: “Should Christians Marry Only Christians?”
Christian and worldly relationships defined biblically
CQ Rewind Show Notes
