2 Corinthians 6 17

2 Corinthians 6:17 kjv

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

2 Corinthians 6:17 nkjv

Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."

2 Corinthians 6:17 niv

Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."

2 Corinthians 6:17 esv

Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,

2 Corinthians 6:17 nlt

Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.
Don't touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.

2 Corinthians 6 verses

2 Corinthians 6 17 Meaning

The verse commands believers to separate themselves from sin and worldly ungodliness. It emphasizes that by doing so, they will be welcomed by God as His own children. This separation leads to a special, father-son relationship with the Creator.

2 Corinthians 6 17 Context

Second Corinthians chapter 6, verse 17 is part of a larger section (6:14-7:1) where Paul strongly exhorts believers to separate themselves from unbelievers and the corrupt practices associated with them. He is addressing divisions and impurity within the Corinthian church, stemming from different affiliations and philosophies. Paul uses a series of rhetorical questions and contrasts to demonstrate the incompatibility of righteousness and wickedness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial. This specific verse serves as a powerful command, drawn from Old Testament prophetic pronouncements, to break fellowship with anything defiling and to embrace a distinct identity as God's consecrated people. The context is one of spiritual purity, the sanctity of the covenant relationship with God, and the call to holiness required of those who belong to Christ.

2 Corinthians 6 17 Word Analysis

• "Come" (deute - δεῦτε): A vocative plural imperative from deō (δέω) or dēoi (δήοοι). It’s a gentle but firm invitation to action. It means "come," "come here." It’s used to call people to a place or a purpose.
• "out" (ek - ἐκ): A preposition indicating motion from within something. It signifies separation from a group or environment.
• "from them" (ex autōn - ἐξ αὐτῶν): Referring to the unbelievers or the ungodly community previously discussed.
• "and be" (kai eisesthe - καὶ εἰσέρχεσθε): The conjunction kai (καί) meaning "and." Eiserchesthe (εἰσέρχεσθε) is a second-person plural present passive imperative from eiserchomai (εἰσέρχομαι), meaning "to come in," "enter," or "be received." The passive voice suggests God's action in receiving them.
• "separate" (aphōristai - ἀφώρισται): The perfect passive indicative of aphorizó (ἀφορίζω). Aphóristai implies being set apart, distinguished, or separated. The perfect tense indicates a completed action with continuing results – having been set apart.
• "says the LORD." (legei Kurios - λέγει Κύριος): Standard formula in the Septuagint (LXX) for quoting God’s words, indicating divine authority.
• "Touch" (haptesthai - ἅπτεσθαι): Second-person plural present middle/passive infinitive from haptō (ἅπτω). In the middle voice, it means "to touch oneself," "lay hold of." In this context, the passive meaning is often understood, signifying "be touched" or "allow oneself to be touched" by something. The negative command forbids any contact or association.
• "no" (mē - μή): A negative particle used with imperatives to express prohibition.
• "unclean thing," (akathartou - ἀκαθάρτου): Genitive singular masculine of akathartos (ἀκάθαρτος), meaning "unclean," "impure," "unholy." It refers to anything ritually impure or morally defiled.
• "and" (kai - καὶ): Conjunction.
• "I will receive" (echō hymas - ἔξω ὑμᾶς): Echō (ἔξω) is the first-person singular future active indicative of echō (ἔχω) which can mean "to have," "to hold," but in certain contexts can also imply "to receive," "to accept," or "to welcome." Hymas (ὑμᾶς) is the second-person plural accusative pronoun "you." It implies God embracing them, accepting them into His fellowship.
• "you." (legō - λέγω): While legei (λέγει) means "says," the implication here in connection with "I will receive you" is God speaking directly to them, ascribing to Himself the action of receiving.
• "I will be a Father to you," (kai esomai hymin eis patēra - καὶ ἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς πατέρα): Esomai (ἔσομαι) is the first-person singular future middle/passive of eimi (εἰμί), meaning "I will be." Hymin (ὑμῖν) is the dative plural pronoun "to you." Eis patēra (εἰς πατέρα) means "as a Father." This highlights a familial relationship established by God.
• "and you will be" (kai esesthe - καὶ ἔσεσθε): Esesthe (ἔσεσθε) is the second-person plural future middle/passive of eimi (εἰμί), meaning "you will be."
• "my sons and daughters," (moys hyioi kai thymgateyres - μου υἱοὶ καὶ θυγατέρες): Moy (μου) is the genitive singular masculine "my." Hyioi (υἱοὶ) is the nominative plural masculine "sons." Thyigateres (θυγατέρες) is the nominative plural feminine "daughters." This indicates full adoption and inheritance in God's family, transcending gender.

Word Groups/Phrases Analysis:

• "Come out from them and be separate": This phrase is a direct quote from Isaiah 52:11 in the Septuagint. It's a call to holy separation, not necessarily physical isolation but a decisive break from the corrupt practices and values of the surrounding, ungodly world. It emphasizes the distinct identity of God's people.
• "Touch no unclean thing": Reinforces the call for separation by prohibiting any association with impurity. This applies to both ritual uncleanness and moral defilement. It calls for a lifestyle that avoids compromise.
• "and I will receive you": This is the promise and assurance that follows obedience to the command. God actively welcomes, accepts, and embraces those who separate themselves from sin and embrace holiness.
• "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters": This articulates the profound covenantal relationship that God offers. It’s a promise of intimate care, guidance, provision, and inheritance, elevating believers to the highest status of belonging within God's divine family, emphasizing equality in their relationship with God as sons and daughters.

2 Corinthians 6 17 Bonus Section

The phrase "sons and daughters" is significant because it reverses the cultural tendency in ancient Near Eastern societies where only sons typically received the full inheritance and honor of being "sons of the covenant." Here, God promises that believers, male and female alike, will have this privileged status. The entirety of 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 can be seen as an extended application of Deuteronomy 7:6 and Leviticus 26:12, where God calls His people to be holy and separate because He is holy and has chosen them to be His own possession. This reinforces the unique and precious relationship God desires with humanity, one characterized by purity and mutual belonging.

2 Corinthians 6 17 Commentary

This verse is a critical command for all believers, echoing Old Testament calls for holiness (Leviticus 11:44-45, Isaiah 52:11). It mandates a deliberate separation from anything that pollutes the spiritual life, encompassing both external practices and internal defilement. This separation is not about social withdrawal but about refusing to participate in or be yoked with the sinful ways of the world. The promise is transformative: those who obey will experience a deeply personal and accepting relationship with God, being welcomed into His family not as servants, but as cherished sons and daughters. This speaks to God's desire for intimate fellowship and the security found in His fatherly care for those who heed His call to purity. It is a fundamental principle for maintaining spiritual health and enjoying God's presence.

• Practical Application: Choose friends and influences that build you up spiritually, not drag you down. Resist gossip or complicity in dishonest practices. Seek God's guidance in major life decisions, trusting His fatherly heart to direct you.
• Example: A young person being tempted to join a group involved in underage drinking. Heeding this verse, they would choose to "come out from them and be separate," trusting that God will be a Father to them, even if it means short-term social discomfort.