2 Corinthians 6:13-18
 
2 Cor 6:13 (KJB)
Now for a recompense in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
 
Recompense - Exchange or reward
Enlarged - Widen or make broad
 
Here Paul is asking that the Corinthians return the love he has for them on the same level. He is speaking as a father speaks to his children. If children hate their father, there can never be harmony or unity in that family unit. Paul is making the same assertion here that if the Corinthians do not trust him, then there can be no harmony between them and between each other in the church, since there were those who supported Paul and those who opposed him. Paul was looking for unity on this matter so progress can be made in their Christian walk.
 
2 Cor 6:14 (KJB)
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
 
Unequally yoked - Intermix or yoke with one who is different or mismated
Fellowship - Partnership or common interest
Communion - Fellowship
Unrighteousness - Lawlessness
 
Now the Bible gets down to the heart of the matter concerning the company that Christians keep. Paul touched on this matter in the first letter to the Corinthians. (1 Cor 15:33 KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. The word in the Greek for “communications” means “companionship.” Paul was now declaring that the Corinthian Christians have to make a move. They must distance themselves from the unbelievers in Corinth so their influence will cease. The problem that existed in Corinth still exists today. Whenever you have a church congregation, you are going to have unbelievers mixing with believers. You may not be able to tell the difference because only God knows the heart whether someone is truly saved or not.
 
Paul then poses some questions to them, hoping it will drive home the point of what he is saying. Is there any fellowship between righteousness and lawlessness? Of course not, the basic principle that Paul is enunciating is the vast difference between saved and unsaved. He then asks is there any fellowship between light and darkness? Light and darkness cannot mix together, because it is a well known fact that wherever there is light, darkness is displaced. Darkness cannot survive in the light. A person can be in a large auditorium, in complete darkness and then light a match. That lit match can be seen from every part of that auditorium. The principle here is that since light displaces darkness, those who are saved are in the light. (1 John 1:7 KJV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 states that we are in the light. This means that we have no affinity with the darkness of Satan’s kingdom. This intermixing also has to do with marriage. No believer should ever marry an unbeliever. No believer should ever start a business partnership with an unbeliever. There is no way to amalgamate the kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of God, for the Kingdom of God always displaces the kingdom of darkness. (1 Pet 2:9 KJV) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Christians were redeemed from the kingdom of darkness, why would we want to partnership with it in any manner?
 
2 Cor 6:15 (KJB)
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
 
Concord - Agreement
Belial - A Hebrew word which means “worthless”
Infidel - Unbeliever
 
Here Paul gets to the heart of the matter. He no doubt has addressed those who are saved. He asks, does Christ have any agreement or concord with Belial, who is Satan? John answers that question quite openly. (John 14:30 KJV) Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. The Lord states in John that the prince of this world, Satan, has nothing to do with Him. So the question is really rhetorical concerning any agreement between Christ and Belial. The Bible, from cover to cover, states there is never a concord between good and evil. Then Paul asks a second question on the same idea. What part does one who believes have with an unbeliever? The answer is none because unbelief is of the kingdom of Satan and belief is of the Kingdom of God. There is absolutely no part or agreement between these two kingdoms. Christians must realize that there are only two kingdoms on earth, God’s and Satan’s. As believers we are part of the Kingdom of God and must realize that we have no part whatsoever to do with the kingdom of Satan. The kingdom of Satan is in unequivocal opposition to the Kingdom of God.
 
2 Cor 6:16 (KJB)
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
 
Agreement - Consent or approval
 
In the Old testament the Temple was where God dwelt when He was among His people in Israel. When the Lord went to the cross, that spelled the end of the Temple system, never to rise again. When Pentecost came, which was 50 days after the resurrection of Christ, the promise of the Father was sent and that was the Holy Spirit who now indwells the true believer, making them the New Testament Temple. (Lev 26:12 KJV) And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. God had prophesied this back in Leviticus that there would come time when the physical temple would be no more and He would dwell inside of His people. There are some who want to believe that the New Testament temple is the local church building but that is not true because the Holy Spirit does not dwell in buildings. That was the Old Testament presence of God. In the New Testament, God dwells inside the believer who is the temple of the living God. This is why the Scripture is asking what agreement does the temple of God, which is the true believer, have with idols? The answer is a resounding none, there is no agreement with a temple of idols and the true temple of the Lord, which is the true believer. In Corinth there were many temples of idolatry and Paul is saying that there should be no connection whatsoever between those pagan temples and those whom the Lord has redeemed.
 
2 Cor 6:17 (KJB)
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
 
Come out - Depart Out
Be ye separate - Separate from
Touch - Cling to or adhere to
Unclean thing - Impure or not atoned
 
Paul now states that these Christians are to depart out from among the unbelievers and are to have no fellowship with them. In fact, the words “come out” are in the Imperative mood which means it is a command. This means that the Christians are commanded to be separate from the unbelievers. There must be a separation because if the true Christians are yoked to these unbelievers, they will never grow in the faith plus they will be pulled back into the ways of the world. The words “be ye separate” are also in the Imperative mood making them a command. Then we are told to not touch or cling to the unclean. The word “touch” is also in the Imperative mood, which means we are commanded not to “touch or cling to the unclean.” The unclean are those who are unsaved. Paul is speaking in Levitical terms here when he uses the term “unclean.” So the overall command is to depart out, be separate, and cling not to the unclean. This verse is basically telling the Christians that they need not cling to the unbelievers or to those who are trying to keep the law for salvation. Christ has redeemed us and as a result we are to be sanctified and sanctification cannot happen if we are still intermixing with unbelievers. (1 Cor 1:30 KJV) But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: When these believers depart from the unbelievers, they need not worry that they are going out as orphans because God has stated that He will receive them. (Rev 18:4 KJV) And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4 carries with it the same principle that the believer is to depart out and be separate from the unbeliever. It also carries with it the method that God uses to call His children out of the world and into His Kingdom. He calls them and saves them.
 
2 Cor 6:18 (KJB)
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
 
When the believers depart out from the unbelieving element, God promises that He will be a Father to them and that they will be His children. This promise is from the Lord God Almighty Himself. God does not want His children in league with any unbelievers because unbelievers do not engender spiritual growth, in fact, they hinder it and cause believers to sin. This is why He states that those who will live in obedience to Him, He will be their Father and watch over them. As adopted sons and daughters, God sees us as if were born into His family already.

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