1. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Corinth 6:15-7:1 - Christ’s Life & Ministry is Separated from the World Part 2
2 Corinth 6:15 – “And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?”
Of interest, this is the only use of the term accord (concord, agreement, union) in the Bible.
Who is this guy Belial anyway?
The Hebrew word literally translated means worthless, wicked or without profit.
The Syriac translation (western dialect of Aramaic) means Satan.
This is like the proverbial oil and water – there is absolutely no miscibility!
Deut 13:13 – Certain men, the children of Belial,are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, let us go and serve other gods, which you have not known,
1 Sam 2:12 - Now the sons of Eli were corrupt;[sons of Belial] they did not know the Lord.
Likewise, what part a believer with an unbeliever indicates a similar type of separation. 1
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2. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Corinth 6:15-7:1 - Christ’s Life & Ministry is Separated from the World Part 2
part reflects an assigned task
Col 1:20 - giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Unbelievers are not included here.
Doesn’t this relate to fellowship?
1 John 5:12 - He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Eph 5:11 - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them
2 Corinth 6:16 – “And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you (we) are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
Notice the contrast/similarity here between the OT temple of God and we being the temple of God. 2
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3. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Corinth 6:15-7:1 - Christ’s Life & Ministry is Separated from the World Part 2
Describe the contrasts and the similarities.
Either way there is no agreement/assent/approval of this temple with idols.
We are told to flee (present active imperative) from idolatry – 1 Cor 10:14-22
I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”[Ex 29:45, Lev 26:11,12, Jer 32:38, Ezek 37:26,27].
Since this part of verse 16 is largely taken from the OT, how does this relate to us today, or does it because it is a promise to Israel?
Would have Paul used these verses here if they weren’t for the church at Corinth and for us today?
Acts 17:24 - God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
1 Cor 3:16 - Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Col 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 3
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4. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Corinth 6:15-7:1 - Christ’s Life & Ministry is Separated from the World Part 2
2 Corinth 6:17 – “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”
When Paul says, come out form among them, to whom is he speaking?
Isa 52:11 - Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.
What does it mean to be separate?
Mic 2:10 - Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.
No relationship?
We are a separate people
Heb 10:14 - For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
What are the unclean things? 4
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5. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Corinth 6:15-7:1 - Christ’s Life & Ministry is Separated from the World Part 2
In a ceremonial sense, according to Levitical law.
Immoral – in thought and life
and I will receive you – is this conditional?
Ezek 20:41 - I will accept you with your sweet savor, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.
Notice how this acceptance of Israel occurs.
If applied to us, is this in the form of fellowship, yes!
But remember always
Rom 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 Corinth 6:18 – “And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Is this promise of the Lord directed to Israel?
Jer 31:9 - They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I 5
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6. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Corinth 6:15-7:1 - Christ’s Life & Ministry is Separated from the World Part 2
lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
But does this relate to the post-Babylonian captivity only or a promise that extends into the Millennium?
Rom 11:26 - And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
For us, a promise of truth.
And as we walk by faith, do we believe this?
Rom 8:15 - For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
1 John 3:1 - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Lord Almighty (Universal Ruler) – only use in Revelation in NT.
2 Corinth 7:1 – “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness 6
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7. The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
2 Corinth 6:15-7:1 - Christ’s Life & Ministry is Separated from the World Part 2
of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
How do we do all of this?
Let’s begin with positional truth
2 Cor 5:21 - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Rom 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Now we learn to live by faith.
Phil 1:21 – For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Gal 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
And we when we fall short?
1 John 1:8,9 - f we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 7
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