2 Corinthians 6 15

2 Corinthians 6:15 kjv

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

2 Corinthians 6:15 nkjv

And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

2 Corinthians 6:15 niv

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

2 Corinthians 6:15 esv

What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

2 Corinthians 6:15 nlt

What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil ? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

2 Corinthians 6 verses

2 Corinthians 6 15 Meaning

This verse employs rhetorical questions to powerfully assert the absolute and fundamental incompatibility between Christ and Belial (personified evil), and by extension, between a believer and an unbeliever. It declares that there can be no true agreement, harmony, or shared spiritual destiny between these opposing forces and their adherents. The core message is a call for spiritual separation and purity from anything that contradicts the nature and values of Christ.

2 Corinthians 6 15 Context

This verse is nestled within Paul's fervent appeal to the Corinthian believers for spiritual separation and purity, beginning in 2 Corinthians 6:14 and extending to 6:18. The broader context of 2 Corinthians sees Paul defending his apostleship, emphasizing the ministry of reconciliation (Ch. 5), and urging the Corinthians towards full devotion and holiness.

Historically and culturally, Corinth was a vibrant Roman colony known for its trade, diverse populace, and widespread pagan worship. Various cults (like those of Aphrodite, Apollo, and Asclepius) were deeply integrated into civic life, often involving idolatry, ritual prostitution, and feasts held in pagan temples. The Corinthians, though Christian, were often tempted to accommodate or compromise with this pervasive paganism, or to seek worldly alliances.

Paul's discourse here directly challenges any inclination towards syncretism, where Christian faith might be mixed with pagan practices or ungodly worldly principles. The rhetorical questions in verse 15, along with the previous verse's warning not to be "unequally yoked," serve as a polemic against the subtle or overt pressures to dilute Christian identity through alliances that fundamentally contradict Christ's nature. It aims to establish clear boundaries for the fledgling Christian community in a pluralistic and often morally permissive society.

2 Corinthians 6 15 Word analysis

• And what concord (καὶ τίς συμφώνησις, kai tis symphōnēsis):

  • "And what": A rhetorical question emphasizing an emphatic negative – "Absolutely no!" or "What common ground?"
  • "concord" (συμφώνησις, symphōnēsis): A Greek term meaning "agreement," "harmony," or "consonance" (like musical notes blending well). It implies a deep, fundamental unity, shared values, and mutual understanding. The question highlights the impossibility of such true agreement.

• hath Christ (Χριστὸς, Christos):

  • "Christ" (Χριστὸς, Christos): The Greek title for "Anointed One," equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah. He represents perfect righteousness, holiness, divine truth, and the embodiment of God's will. His essence is utterly pure and separated from evil.

• with Belial (μετὰ Βελίαλ, meta Belial):

  • "with" (μετὰ, meta): Signifies association, participation, or fellowship.
  • "Belial" (Βελίαλ, Belial): A transliteration from the Hebrew, meaning "worthless," "wickedness," or "scoundrel." In later Jewish writings, and by the time of the New Testament, "Belial" often became a proper name or title for Satan, the personification of absolute evil, lawlessness, and ungodliness. This term presents the ultimate spiritual antithesis to Christ.

• or what part (ἢ τίς μερὶς, ē tis meris):

  • "or what": Continues the rhetorical questioning, reinforcing the negative.
  • "part" (μερὶς, meris): A Greek term meaning "portion," "share," "lot," "inheritance," or "common interest." It refers to sharing in an experience, a destiny, or a spiritual bond.

• hath he that believeth (τοῦ πιστοῦ, tou pistou):

  • "hath he that believeth" (τοῦ πιστοῦ, tou pistou): Literally, "of the faithful one" or "the believer." This refers to someone who has placed their faith in Christ, is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and is united with God. They are part of the new creation, committed to following Christ's righteousness.

• with an infidel (μετὰ ἀπίστου, meta apistou):

  • "with" (μετὰ, meta): Again, denoting association or fellowship.
  • "an infidel" (ἀπίστου, apistou): A Greek term meaning "unbelieving," "faithless," or "untrustworthy." It specifically refers to someone who does not believe in Christ, or who lacks spiritual faith, not just someone with different beliefs. This signifies a fundamental spiritual estrangement from God and Christ.

• "what concord hath Christ with Belial?": This initial rhetorical question sets up a foundational spiritual principle. It contrasts the divine, righteous nature of Christ with the ultimate embodiment of evil, Belial (often associated with Satan). The implied answer is "None at all," indicating that there is an absolute and irreconcilable opposition between good and evil, truth and falsehood. This highlights Christ's singular authority and purity, making it impossible for Him to be in agreement or harmony with the forces of wickedness.

• "or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?": This second rhetorical question extends the principle established by the first, moving from the cosmic/divine figures (Christ vs. Belial) to their respective followers (believer vs. unbeliever). If there's no harmony between the head (Christ) and ultimate evil (Belial), there can be no true common spiritual ground, shared spiritual inheritance, or destiny between their adherents. The "part" here implies deep fellowship, spiritual solidarity, or a shared allegiance. Believers are united to Christ; infidels are alienated from Him, and their paths, values, and ultimate destinies are inherently divergent.

2 Corinthians 6 15 Bonus section

• Paul's Rhetorical Strategy: The use of paired rhetorical questions ("What concord...?" and "What part...?") is a powerful stylistic device that demands an immediate and obvious negative answer from the audience, strengthening the emphasis on complete incompatibility. This method is highly persuasive.
• "Unequally Yoked" Connection: This verse is the second in a series of five rhetorical questions following Paul's initial admonition in 2 Cor 6:14, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." The imagery of "unequally yoked" likely derives from the Deuteronomic law (Deut 22:10) forbidding plowing with an ox and a donkey together, signifying a mismatch in strength, purpose, and gait, leading to ineffective or even cruel outcomes. Verse 15 provides the foundational theological reason for this practical command, linking it directly to the ultimate incompatibility of Christ and Belial.
• Broader Application: While often applied to marriage (1 Cor 7:39 is similar, but not directly using "unequally yoked"), the principle extends beyond marital unions to any profound alliance (e.g., business partnerships, deep intimate friendships, religious or philosophical associations) where one's spiritual allegiance and values are expected to be fundamentally merged or shared, potentially leading to compromise or divided loyalties. The warning is against binding one's spiritual life or ultimate purpose with one whose spirit is alienated from God.
• Belial's Personification: In Qumran literature (like the Dead Sea Scrolls), Belial is a frequently occurring antagonist, personifying the "Prince of Darkness" or the ultimate evil one, providing a contemporary understanding of the weight Paul's audience would have attached to this term, almost a synonym for Satan or the Devil.

2 Corinthians 6 15 Commentary

2 Corinthians 6:15 stands as a definitive declaration of spiritual antithesis, echoing Old Testament commands for purity and separation. It articulates an absolute chasm between Christ and Belial, mirroring this distinction in believers and unbelievers. This is not merely a call to avoid physical proximity but to guard against deep spiritual alliances or intimate partnerships that would compromise a believer's allegiance to Christ, diminish their spiritual distinctiveness, or tempt them into forms of syncretism. It underpins the principle that authentic Christian life requires discerning separation from any system or relationship that embodies opposition to God. It informs decisions on deep friendships, business partnerships, marriage, and participation in activities fundamentally linked to idolatry or ungodly values. For example, a follower of Christ cannot simultaneously align their deepest purpose and life decisions with an individual whose ultimate allegiances or values are antithetical to Christ.