Meaning of 2 Corinthians 6:17

This verse from 2 Corinthians 6:17 is a powerful exhortation from God, delivered through the Apostle Paul, calling believers to a distinct separation from the world and its corrupting influences. It echoes Old Testament pronouncements of holiness and purity, urging the Corinthian church, and by extension all Christians, to actively disassociate themselves from practices and associations that are spiritually defiling. The command to "come out from them and be separate" signifies a conscious and intentional withdrawal from the ungodly aspects of society, while "touch no unclean thing" emphasizes the need for moral and spiritual integrity in all their dealings. The promise, "and I will receive you," underscores God's desire for intimate fellowship with those who strive to live according to His standards, assuring them of His acceptance and blessing.

Context and Background

The Corinthian church was a diverse community, a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers, many of whom had come from pagan backgrounds marked by idolatry and immoral practices. Paul's ministry in Corinth was often fraught with challenges from false apostles and internal divisions, all of which contributed to a spiritual environment where the lines between Christian life and worldly entanglement could easily blur. This verse appears in a section where Paul is deeply concerned about the spiritual purity of the believers and their vulnerability to the pervasive pagan culture surrounding them. He is building upon the preceding verses that speak of God's covenant love and the believer's status as the temple of the living God, emphasizing that such a sacred status demands a corresponding separation from impurity.

Key Themes and Messages

• Holiness and Purity: The central theme is God's call to holiness, which is not merely an absence of sin but a positive pursuit of righteousness and separation from all that defiles.
• Divine Separation: Believers are called to be distinct from the world, not in a way that isolates them from society entirely, but in a way that prevents them from being contaminated by its sin.
• God's Acceptance: The promise of being received by God is contingent upon obedience to His call for separation and purity, highlighting the relational aspect of faith.
• Discernment: The verse implies the necessity of spiritual discernment to identify what constitutes "unclean" and to make conscious choices to avoid it.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers today, 2 Corinthians 6:17 remains a vital directive. It calls for a critical evaluation of our associations, entertainment, media consumption, and even our thought patterns. It's a call to live a life that reflects Christ's presence within us, demonstrating that we are set apart for God's purposes. This separation is not about legalism or judgmentalism but about maintaining a clear conscience and a life that honors God, enabling deeper fellowship with Him and more effective witness to the world. It requires a constant re-calibration of our lives to ensure we are not unconsciously adopting the values and behaviors of the surrounding culture that are contrary to God's Word.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is deeply rooted in the Old Testament concept of Israel as God's chosen people, called to be a holy nation. Leviticus 11:44-45, for instance, states, "For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves with any kind of swarming creature that crawls on the ground." This principle of separation for holiness is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, culminating in Jesus' prayer in John 17:15, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." The New Testament believers, as spiritual Israel, inherit this call to be in the world but not of it, embodying God's distinctiveness amidst a fallen humanity.

Analogies

• A Clean Vessel: Imagine a precious vessel intended for sacred use. To maintain its purity and usefulness, it must be kept separate from anything that would stain or contaminate it. Similarly, believers are vessels for God's glory, and purity is essential for their purpose.
• A Doctor's Hands: A surgeon's hands must be meticulously clean to perform a delicate operation without introducing infection. In the spiritual realm, believers must maintain a spiritual cleanliness to effectively serve God and be instruments in His hands.
• A Lighthouse: A lighthouse stands apart on the shore, its light piercing the darkness to guide ships safely. Its separation from the turbulent sea is what allows it to fulfill its vital function. Believers, by separating themselves from the world's darkness, can shine the light of Christ.

Relation to Other Verses

• Romans 12:2: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." This verse directly complements 2 Corinthians 6:17 by explaining how to achieve separation: through a transformed mind.
• 1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and pride in possessions—does not come from the Father but from the world. The world and everything in it are passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever." This passage elaborates on what "the world" and "unclean things" might entail.
• Revelation 18:4: "Then I heard another voice from heaven say: 'Come out of her, my people. Be not part of her sins, so that you do not share in her plagues.'" This prophetic declaration in the context of Babylon's judgment echoes the command to separate from corrupt systems and practices.