6:14
NASB “Do not be bound together with unbelievers”
NKJV “Do not be uneqully yoked together with unbelievers”
NRSV “Do not be mismatched with unbelievers”
TEV “Do not try to work together as equals with unbelievers”
NJB “Do not harness yourselves in an equal team with unbelievers”
Peshitta “Do not unite in marriage with unbelievers”
Paul often uses OT agricultural quotes to illustrate Christian truths (cf. 1 Cor. 9:9; 1 Tim. 5:18). This phrase reflects Deut. 22:10. It is a PRESENT IMPERATIVE with the NEGATIVE PARTICLE, which implies “they were forming” these inappropriate, intimate, interpersonal relationships with unbelievers. The Greek term is a compound of “yoked” (zugeō) and “another of a different kind” (heteros, i.e., different kinds of animals).
This verse has been proof-texted in relation to believers marrying unbelievers. However, this text does not seem to be dealing with marriage specifically, although that is surely included in this broader statement. Believers must restrict their most intimate, personal relationships to fellow believers. This helps us fight the pull of fallen culture away from Christ.
Faith in Jesus and the indwelling Spirit have caused a sharp and deep cleavage within families, businesses, hobbies, amusements, even churches.
One must take into account passages like 1 Cor. 5:9-13; 7:12-16; 10:27 to get the theological balance of this truth.
We must remember the wickedness of first century pagan culture. This is not an affirmation of monastic living, but an attempt to reduce intimate personal relationship with the fallen world system (cf. Rom. 12:2; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). See Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 624-626.
“what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness” This same truth is repeated in the cyclical letter of Ephesians (cf. Eph. 5:7,11). Paul’s contrast of righteousness with lawlessness shows clearly that in this context righteousness does not refer to imputed righteousness (cf. Romans 4; Galatians 3), but righteous living (cf. Matt. 6:1).
"fellowship: See SPECIAL TOPIC: KOINŌNIA (fellowship)
6:15
NASB, NKJV, REB “Belial”
NRSV, NJB “Beliar”
TEV “the Devil”
Peshitta “Satan”
This is a Hebrew term (i.e., beli and ya’al, see BDB 116) whose etymology is somewhat in doubt. Beliar is a variant spelling from some Jewish writings. The possible backgrounds are:
worthlessness (i.e., a description of evil people, cf. Deut. 13:13; 2 Sam. 23:6; 1 Kgs. 21:10,13)
lawlessness (cf. 2 Sam. 22:5)
place from where there is no ascent (i.e., Sheol, cf. Ps. 18:4)
another term for Satan (cf. Nahum 1:15; Jubilees 1:20; 15:33; and the Dead Sea Scrolls [ex. IQS 1:18,24; 2:5,19])
See F. F. Bruce, Answers to Questions, p. 156.
SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIAL
SPECIAL TOPIC: SATAN
6:16 “Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols” This verse must be compared with 1 Cor. 3:16, where the local church is called the temple of God. In 1 Cor. 3:16 there is no ARTICLE with “temple” (i.e., naos, the central shrine itself). The PRONOUN “you” is PLURAL, while “temple” is SINGULAR, therefore**, in this context “temple” must refer to the whole church at Corinth** (cf. Eph. 2:21-22).
The focus of Jewish faith developed into temple ritual and liturgy (cf. Jeremiah 7) instead of personal faith in YHWH (i.e., Deut. 10:16; Jer. 4:4).
It is not where or when or how one worships, but who one is in relationship with, God (i.e., John 4:20-26). Jesus saw His body as the temple of God (cf. John 2:21). Jesus is greater than the OT temple (cf. Matt. 12:6). God’s activity has moved from a sacred building into a sacred (i.e., redeemed, holy) believers’ body.
Idols and believers are fully discussed in 1 Cor 8 and 10:14-22. These must be mutually exclusive! All roads do not lead to heaven!
SPECIAL TOPIC: JESUS IS GREATER THAN
“the living God” The covenant name for the God of the OT was YHWH (see SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D), which was a form of the VERB “to be.” OT authors often used the ADJECTIVE “living” to reflect the ever-existing, only-existing God. The OT allusions in 2 Cor. 6:16-18 contain OT covenant terminology, “I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (cf. Ezek. 37:27).
The phrase “walk among them” seems to come from Lev. 26:12. The OT texts in 2 Cor. 6:16 reflect the new age when YHWH will dwell among His people as was intended in Genesis 2 and temporarily and partially occurred during the wilderness wandering period, but will be fully realized in the new heavens and the new earth (cf. Revelation 21-22).
▣ “God said” This is a loose combination of Lev. 26:11-12 and Ezek. 37:27 from the Septuagint. In this context Paul is applying these promises originally to covenant Israel to the church who is spiritual Israel (Rom. 2:28-29; 9:6; Gal. 3:7-9,28-29; 6:16).
“inward circumcision” (i.e., the church, cf. Rom. 2:28-29)
“they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel” (i.e., the church, cf. Rom. 9:6)
“upon the Israel of God” (i.e., the church, cf. Gal. 3:11-16)
“a royal priesthood” (i.e., the church, cf. 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6)
“but also among Gentiles” (i.e., Paul uses several texts addressed to Israel to now address the church, cf. Rom. 9:24-29)
6:17 “come out. . .be separate” These are both AORIST IMPERATIVES from Isa. 52:11 in the Septuagint. God’s people are to disassociate themselves from sinners and unbelievers lest they be caught up in their judgment (cf. Rev. 18:4). God is holy and His people are called to be like HIm (cf. Matt. 5:48).
Often today I hear this verse quoted in connection to which denomination one belongs. Let me quote F. F. Bruce in Answers to Questions, “The use of these words to justify ecclesiastical separation between Christians betokens a grotesque failure to read them in their context” (p. 103).
“and do not touch what is unclean” This is a PRESENT MIDDLE IMPERATIVE. Believers must not participate in the sinful actions of their respective cultures. As the “Redeemed” we must exhibit and proclaim the new heart and new mind of God’s people (Ezek. 36:22-36). Everything has changed in Him!
6:18 This covenant language reflects the truth of many prophets, but most fully, Hosea (or possibly 2 Sam. 7:14). Christianity is a family affair.
SPECIAL TOPIC: FATHERHOOD OF GOD
SPECIAL TOPIC: BIBLICAL FAITH IS CORPORATE
J.
