II Corinthians 6:17 · Bible study
2 Corinthians 6:17 Commentary: Call to Separation from Unbelievers
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore Paul's call to 'come out from among them', a moral separation, not physical isolation, grounded in OT promises of divine reception.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Paul calls believers to decisive moral separation from idolatry and sinful alliances, grounded in their identity as God's temple, with the promise of divine reception as family.
- Key words: ἐξέλθατε (exelthate), aorist imperative demands decisive action; ἀφορίσθητε (aphoristhēte), divine passive 'be separate'; μὴ ἅπτεσθε (mē haptesthe), present imperative prohibiting close association with uncleanness.
- Main debate: Whether 'come out' calls for physical withdrawal from unbelievers or spiritual separation from sinful practices while remaining in the world; most commentators favor the latter.
- Theological theme: The holiness of God's temple-people; the conditional nature of covenantal promises; God's fatherly reception of those who pursue purity.
- Best use: Preaching on Christian distinctiveness without worldliness; counseling on relationships and cultural engagement; teaching on the continuity of Old and New Testament ethics.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
Therefore “‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.
KJV King James Version 1769
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
wherefore, come ye forth out of the midst of them, and be separated, saith the Lord, and an unclean thing do not touch, and I--I will receive you,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
Wherefore come out from the midst of them, and be separated, saith [the] Lord, and touch not [what is] unclean, and I will receive you;
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Wherefore: Go out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing:
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Por lo cual salid de en medio de ellos, y apartaos, dice el Señor, y no toquéis lo inmundo; y yo os recibiré,
Portanto: saí do meio deles, e vos separai, diz o Senhor; e não toqueis coisa impura, e eu vos aceitarei.
C’ est pourquoi,
Darum gehet aus von ihnen und sondert euch ab, spricht der HERR, und rührt kein Unreines an, so will ich euch annehmen
Daarom gaat uit het midden van hen, en scheidt u af, zegt de Heere, en raakt niet aan hetgeen onrein is, en Ik zal ulieden aannemen.
Perciò Uscite di mezzo a loro e separatevene, dice il Signore, e non toccate nulla d’immondo; ed io v’accoglierò,
Przetoż wynijdźcie z pośrodku ich i odłączcie się, mówi Pan, a nieczystego się nie dotykajcie, a Ja was przyjmę.
И потому выйдите из среды их и отделитесь, говорит Господь, и не прикасайтесь к нечистому; и Я прииму вас.
又 說：你們務要從 他們 中間 出來， 與他們分別； 不要 沾 不潔淨的物，我 就收納 你們。
For which cause, Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and let no unclean thing come near you; and I will take you for myself,
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · II Corinthians 6:17
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators broadly agree that Paul summons believers to a moral and spiritual separation from idolatry and unbelief, not a physical withdrawal from the world. Barnes calls it a call to 'separate from the world, and all its corrupting influences.' Calvin underscores that 'while remaining in this world . . . we must simply avoid all participation' in evil. The Cambridge Bible clarifies that Paul means 'not of absolute separation, but of abstinence from any kind of intimacy' with unbelievers in idolatrous practices. Matthew Henry frames it as a caution against 'mingling with unbelievers' in ways that compromise one's temple identity. The promise 'I will receive you' is conditional, as Adam Clarke and Wesley observe: God will not receive those who cling to uncleanness. The quotation blends Isaiah 52:11 and Ezekiel 20:34, applying the OT call to leave literal Babylon to the New Covenant call to leave spiritual Babylon. All agree that the ultimate goal is not isolation but deeper communion with God as Father.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Physical withdrawal: Monastic tradition and some sectarian groups read 'come out' as a call to leave society entirely.
- Moral/spiritual separation (majority): Paul's own practice (1 Cor 5:9-10) and the temple imagery (v.16) indicate this is about holiness, not geography.
- Separation from false doctrine: Some Reformation commentators emphasize separation from heretical teachers akin to OT separation from idolatry.
What is clear: Paul commands believers to avoid close, binding relationships with unbelievers that would compromise their identity as God's holy temple, and He promises God's fatherly welcome to those who do so.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of separation | Christians agree that the verse calls for separation from idolatry and sinful practices. | Some traditions (e.g., Pietist, Anabaptist) emphasize literal social withdrawal from non-Christians, while Protestant and Catholic mainstreams see it as moral separation within society. |
| Applicability to relationships with unbelievers | All agree believers should not be 'unequally yoked' in marriage or close partnerships with unbelievers. | The extent of separation in friendships, business, and everyday life is debated: some argue for strict avoidance, others for engagement without participation in sin. |
| OT quotation authority | Paul's use of Isaiah 52:11 is widely seen as a Spirit-inspired application of the principle. | Orthodox Jewish interpretation (as reflected in rabbinic sources cited by Gill) sees the verse as specific to geographical exile, while Christian interpretation universalizes it to all believers. |
| Conditionality of the promise | The promise 'I will receive you' is linked to obedience. | Arminian traditions (e.g., Wesleyan) emphasize that separation is required for full reception; Reformed traditions see the command as a call to live out an already-given adoption, not a condition for it. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Paul writes to a church in Corinth, a city notorious for its religious pluralism and immorality. The temple of Aphrodite and its associated cultic prostitution dominated the culture. In 1 Corinthians, Paul addressed issues like meat sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality. Now in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, he intensifies the call: believers are the temple of the living God and must not defile that sanctuary by 'yoking' with unbelievers.
The OT background is crucial. In Isaiah 52:11, God commands the priests to leave Babylon, 'touch no unclean thing,' and carry the vessels of the Lord back to Jerusalem. Paul applies this priestly language to all believers (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). The verb 'come out' (exelthate) is an aorist imperative, implying a decisive action. The phrase 'from the midst of them' echoes Numbers 16:21, where God tells the congregation to separate from Korah's rebellion. Likewise, Ezekiel 20:34 speaks of gathering Israel from the peoples. Paul's composite citation layers the exodus motif: believers are called out of spiritual Egypt and Babylon.
Lange notes that Besser called Israel's departure from Babylon 'a type of the great redemption' (Galatians 1:4). Paul does not advocate a literal exodus from society, he expects Christians to remain in the world (1 Corinthians 5:9-10) but to keep themselves unstained. The call to 'touch no unclean thing' (mē haptesthe, present imperative with negative) forbids even casual contact with what defiles. The promise 'I will receive you' (eisdexomai, future indicative) recalls the father welcoming the prodigal, God's open arms for those who separate from sin.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse. The quotation is a composite of Isaiah 52:11, Ezekiel 20:34, and possibly 2 Samuel 7:14, but the manuscript tradition is stable across all major witnesses. The presence of the phrase 'says the Lord' (λέγει κύριος) appears consistently.
Reception History
This verse has shaped Christian identity across centuries. In the early church, it reinforced the call to avoid pagan cultic meals. After Constantine, when the church became culturally dominant, some Christians interpreted 'come out' as a call to monasticism, separating geographically from a nominal Christian society. Reformers like Calvin applied it to all believers: the separation is spiritual, not geographical, and requires priestly purity since every believer carries the vessels of the Lord. Puritan and Pietist movements emphasized strict Sabbath observance and avoidance of worldly entertainments. Wesley made it practical: 'Touch not the unclean person, keep at the utmost distance from him.' Modern interpreters read it as a call to distinctiveness in daily life, rooted in the exodus pattern of redemption. It remains a key text for understanding holiness as separation from sin, not isolation from people.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Separation as Decision: The aorist imperative 'come out' (exelthate) demands a decisive break. This is not passive drift but active departure from patterns of sin and idolatry.
- Separation as Identity: 'Be separate' (aphoristhēte) is a divine passive, God sets His people apart. It's rooted in the reality that we are His temple.
- Separation as Promise: The command is bracketed by two promises: 'I will be their God' and 'I will receive you,' culminating in adoption as sons and daughters. Separation is not the goal; fellowship with the Father is.
Five-point outline
- The Grounds of the Call: Because you are the temple of the living God, you must not be yoked with idols.
- The Movement of the Call: Come out from among them, a divine imperative that echoes Exodus and the return from Babylon.
- The Condition of the Call: Touch no unclean thing, a call to practical holiness in areas of association and behavior.
- The Promise of the Call: I will receive you, God welcoming those who come out of the world's defilement.
- The Identity of the Call: You will be sons and daughters, the ultimate goal: familial intimacy with the Lord Almighty.
Illustration hooks
- A person leaving a toxic workplace where dishonesty is rewarded: they walk away from corrupt practices but still interact with former colleagues, separation is moral, not geographic.
- A recovering addict removing alcohol from their home: the bottles are poured out, but they still encounter drinkers; the line is drawn against participation, not isolation.
- A marriage where one spouse becomes Christian while the other does not: the believer stays in the home but refuses to participate in idolatrous family traditions, separation is spiritual, with grace and respect.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How do I know if I am too close to the world? Where is the line between engaging culture and being 'unequally yoked'?
- Does 'touch no unclean thing' mean I cannot have non-Christian friends or attend their events?
- If I cut ties with certain people for the sake of holiness, am I being unloving or judgmental?
Leading a Discussion
Paul's call to separation can feel harsh in a relational age. Yet it is rooted in the astonishing promise that we are God's temple and that He will receive us as children. This study explores what separation meant for the Corinthians and what it means for us.
Discussion questions
- Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. What does the repeated 'what fellowship/agreement/portion' language reveal about Paul's concern?
- Why do you think Paul uses Old Testament quotations from Isaiah and Ezekiel? How does the Exodus/Babylon background shape the meaning?
- The Greek verb for 'come out' (exelthate) is an aorist imperative, a decisive command. In what areas of life have you experienced a need for such a decisive break?
- 'Touch no unclean thing' (mē haptesthe akathartou). The word 'unclean' can refer to ceremonial or moral impurity. What kinds of 'unclean' things might believers today be tempted to touch?
- Paul balances the command with a promise: 'I will receive you.' How does knowing God's welcoming heart change your view of obedience?
- How do you distinguish between holy separation and sinful isolation? Where does love for neighbor fit into this command?
- Verse 18 adds the family language: we become sons and daughters of God. How does this identity empower you to live distinctly?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Numbers 16:21 | “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment!” |
| Numbers 16:26 | He spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins!” |
| Numbers 16:45 | “Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment!” They fell on their faces. |
| Ezra 6:21 | The children of Israel who had returned out of the captivity, and all who had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, ate, |
| Ezra 10:11 | Now therefore make confession to Yahweh, the God of your fathers and do his pleasure. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign women.” |
| Psalms 1:1 | Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; |
| Psalms 1:3 | He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper. |
| Proverbs 9:6 | Leave your simple ways, and live. Walk in the way of understanding.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
10 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke insists that God's promises are conditional: believers receive them only when they separate from sin and unbelievers. God cannot inhabit a heart that makes peace with Belial, so He will not receive anyone who touches the unclean thing.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes points out that Paul adapts Isaiah's call to leave literal Babylon and applies it to separating from worldly corruption, treating Babylon as an emblem of all that opposes God. He also notes the promise of God receiving believers is not a direct Old Testament quotation but likely a composite or a fresh inspired promise.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin extends Isaiah's command to the Levites who carried temple vessels to every believer. Since all Christians are a royal priesthood and their own bodies are sacred vessels, they must avoid spiritual contamination. This does not mean leaving the world but refusing to participate in its uncleanness.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge note clarifies that the command is not a call to live apart from non-Christians entirely, but to avoid close partnerships where shared purpose is impossible. The reference to touching unclean things originally described the ceremonial defilement priests and Levites were to avoid.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Wherefore come out from among them, and separate your selues, saith the Lord, and touch none vncleane thing, and I wil receiue you.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill reads this as a command for believers to separate themselves from worldly people and their sinful habits, not just from idolatry. He ties the call to Isaiah 52:11 and stresses that separation must be both initial at conversion and ongoing in daily conduct. The promise of God receiving them is meant to encourage this difficult separation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights that the command to "touch not" any unclean thing is stronger than merely avoiding it by sight, since touching implies participation and defilement. The promise is that God will receive believers to Himself, gathering them as one would welcome someone from outside into a home. Believers' interaction with the world should be like angels who come only for a message and then eagerly return to God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry emphasizes that Paul's warning against mixing with unbelievers flows from deep fatherly affection, not cold authority. The apostle first opens his heart wide to the Corinthians, then urges them to open theirs in return, so the command to separate comes wrapped in tender love.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent notes that the command "come out" is taken from Isaiah 52:11-12, following the Septuagint’s wording. However, the New Testament author introduces several changes to the Old Testament source, adapting the phrasing for new context.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley urges believers to stay completely separate from those who are spiritually unclean, taking "touch not" as a call to keep the greatest possible distance. He presents God's promise to receive those who obey into His own household, emphasizing the intimate belonging that follows separation.