2 Corinthians 6:18 kjv
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:18 nkjv
"I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty."
2 Corinthians 6:18 niv
And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
2 Corinthians 6:18 esv
and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."
2 Corinthians 6:18 nlt
And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the LORD Almighty. "
2 Corinthians 6 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 17:7-8 | I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. | God's covenant promise |
| Exod 29:45 | I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. | God's dwelling with His people |
| Lev 26:12 | I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. | God's presence and ownership |
| 2 Sam 7:14 | I will be his father, and he shall be my son. | Davidic covenant relation |
| Ps 33:12 | Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD! | God as national benefactor |
| Ps 144:15 | Happy is that people whose God is the LORD. | God as source of happiness |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you. | God's strengthening presence |
| Isa 43:6 | Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth. | God gathering His children |
| Isa 52:11 | Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her! | Call to separation |
| Jer 31:1, 9 | I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. I will bring them with weeping, and by the running brooks I will lead them. | God's everlasting love & guidance |
| Matt 6:33 | But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. | Prioritizing God |
| John 1:12 | But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. | Becoming children of God |
| John 14:18 | I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. | Christ's assurance |
| Rom 8:14-17 | For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. ... heirs of God. | Led by the Spirit, heirs |
| 2 Cor 6:14-16 | Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers... You are the temple of the living God. | Preceding call to separation |
| 2 Cor 7:1 | Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. | Cleansing and perfecting |
| Gal 3:26-29 | You are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. ... and if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring. | Sons of God through faith |
| Eph 5:3 | But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. | Purity in speech and action |
| Phil 2:15 | ...that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation... | Blameless children of God |
| 1 Thess 4:3 | For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality. | Will of God is sanctification |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." | Call to holiness |
| Rev 18:4 | Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, and lest you receive her plagues! | Warning to come out |
2 Corinthians 6 verses
2 Corinthians 6 18 Meaning
This verse is a powerful exhortation for believers to separate themselves from sinful practices and worldly entanglements, thus embracing God as their Father. It signifies a complete and willing surrender to God, positioning believers as His adopted children. This intimate relationship guarantees His fatherly care, protection, and guidance in all aspects of life.
2 Corinthians 6 18 Context
Second Corinthians 6:17-18 directly follows Paul's emphatic plea in verses 14-16 for believers to separate themselves from unbelievers, specifically regarding any partnership in sin or association with idols and ungodly practices. The preceding verses present a strong theological foundation for this separation, highlighting the stark contrast between righteousness and lawlessness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial, and God's temple and idols.
Historically and culturally, the Corinthian church was situated in a city notorious for its widespread idolatry and sensuality. This created a constant pressure for believers to compromise their faith and participate in practices that were an affront to God. Paul's exhortation is therefore extremely relevant to their immediate context, addressing the pervasive danger of spiritual contamination through association with the pagan world.
This verse serves as the concluding command of this specific section, offering a positive imperative to embrace God and thus becoming His sons and daughters. It is a transition from the negative call for separation to the positive affirmation of belonging to God.
2 Corinthians 6 18 Word Analysis
- Be separate (charisthēte - from charizomai): Literally "to be separated," "to be distinguished," or "to withdraw." This verb implies a voluntary and intentional setting apart. It is used in the imperative mood, making it a direct command. It underscores the need for an active and deliberate distancing from corrupting influences.
- therefore (dio): This conjunction indicates that the following statement is a logical consequence of what has been previously stated. It links the command to be separate with the identity believers possess and the covenant relationship they have with God.
- and come out (kai apokleisthete): "Apokleisō" means to shut out, exclude, or separate from. Here it emphasizes an active exclusion or a departure from defilement. Coupled with "be separate," it amplifies the call for a complete break from sin and worldly influence. It implies a leaving behind of ungodly associations and practices.
- from the midst of them (ek mesou autōn): "Mesu" refers to the midst or middle, and "autōn" is the genitive plural pronoun "their." This phrase signifies a detachment from within the ungodly crowd or system, not merely an outward avoidance. It implies being in the world but not of it, a detachment from the corrupt core.
- and touch (kai haptomenoi): From "haptomai," meaning to touch, lay hold of, or associate with. In this context, it signifies a participation or involvement that would lead to defilement. It’s not about merely seeing or hearing, but about active contact that contaminates.
- not the unclean thing (mē katharou): "Katharou" is the adjective "unclean" (neuter accusative singular). The prohibition is against touching anything considered ritually or morally impure according to God’s standards. It encompasses both physical and spiritual uncleanness.
- and I (k’egō): The pronoun "I" (egō) emphasizes God’s personal involvement and affirmation. It highlights His active role in receiving those who separate themselves.
- will receive you (dechomai hymas): "Dechomai" means to welcome, receive, accept, or embrace. It signifies a full acceptance and an assurance of God's welcoming presence and embrace. It’s a promise of divine favor and belonging.
- and will be (kai esomai): "Eimi" meaning "to be." This establishes a continuation of God’s relationship.
- Father to you (patēr hymin): The fundamental relational promise. God declares Himself as their Father, signifying His nurturing, protective, and guiding care. This is a profound statement of adoption.
- and you shall be (kai esesthe): A future declaration of their identity.
- my sons and daughters (hyioi kai thugateres mou): Directly links believers to God as His offspring. This reflects Old Testament promises and New Testament teachings on spiritual sonship and daughterhood through Christ. "Mou" signifies direct possession and ownership by God.
2 Corinthians 6 18 Bonus Section
The concept of "coming out" (apokleisō) from the midst of them is echoed in the book of Revelation (Rev 18:4), where God commands His people, "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, and lest you receive her plagues!" This reinforces the consistent biblical theme of separation from systems of sin and idolatry. The fatherhood of God, promised here, is profoundly elaborated upon in Romans 8:14-17, where believers are identified as "sons of God" and co-heirs with Christ, assured that the Spirit cries out "Abba! Father." The imagery of God's children directly relates to the covenantal relationship established in the Old Testament, particularly with Abraham, who was called "father of a multitude of nations" (Gen 17:5). Believers, through faith in Christ, inherit this spiritual lineage and the full blessings of Abraham (Galatians 3:29).
2 Corinthians 6 18 Commentary
This verse is the culmination of the spiritual imperatives presented in the preceding verses. It provides the rationale and assurance for separation from the ungodly. By "coming out" and being "separate," believers are demonstrating their allegiance to God. The promise of God's reception is an affirmation of His commitment to those who choose Him. It's not merely an act of obedience but a pathway to a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Creator. He desires to be the guiding and nurturing Father to those who choose to be His children. This active engagement from God validates the believer’s separation and marks them as uniquely His. This is a call to holiness that is foundational to experiencing God’s fullest blessing and paternal care.
Practical Application:
- Actively review and adjust associations that may compromise one's faith.
- Consciously abstain from ungodly entertainment, literature, or practices that promote impurity.
- Embrace a lifestyle of obedience, understanding it as a response to God's fatherly love and a desire to be pleasing to Him.
- Cultivate a deep trust in God's provision and protection, knowing He is your Father.