2 Corinthians 6 18

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 verses

2 Corinthians 6 18 Meaning

This verse declares the profound and intimate covenant relationship that God establishes with His people: He promises to be a loving Father to them, and they, in turn, will be His cherished sons and daughters. It is a divine assurance of adoption into God's family, offering identity, protection, provision, and the deepest form of belonging to those who have separated themselves from ungodliness and idolatry.

2 Corinthians 6 18 Context

This verse is the culminating promise within a pivotal passage in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor 6:14-18). Following intense personal suffering (2 Cor 6:4-10) and an earnest appeal for the Corinthians to open their hearts to him (2 Cor 6:11-13), Paul exhorts them to cease being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers. He contrasts light and darkness, Christ and Belial, righteous and unrighteousness, temple of God and idols, highlighting the incompatibility of serving God while being intimately connected to the ungodly practices prevalent in pagan Corinth. Drawing from Old Testament covenantal language concerning God dwelling among His people and their requirement for holiness, Paul asserts that the Corinthians, as believers, are the temple of the living God. The preceding verses (2 Cor 6:14-17) issue a direct call to "come out from among them and be separate... and touch no unclean thing," acting as a precondition. Verse 18 then presents the glorious divine promise of adoption that awaits those who heed this call for distinction and dedication to God. It highlights that the unique, familial relationship with God is intrinsically linked to a life of purity and separation from the defilement of the world, positioning this adoption not just as a gift, but as a consequence of choosing God.

2 Corinthians 6 18 Word analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): This conjunction acts as a connecting bridge, linking the glorious promise in this verse directly to the preceding exhortation for holy separation. It signifies "and then," implying that the promise of divine fatherhood and sonship is contingent upon, or flows from, the believer's response to the call for purity in verses 14-17.
• I will be (ἔσομαι - esomai): This is a strong future tense verb, indicating an absolute divine commitment and an act that God Himself will certainly perform. It conveys an unwavering promise and a definite state of being that God will assume for His people.
• a Father (εἰς πατέρα - eis patera): The use of the preposition eis (into) here denotes not merely similarity ("like a father") but a transformation into a defined role, a full establishment of the paternal relationship. It speaks to intimacy, protection, authority, provision, guidance, and disciplined love. God will truly become their Father.
• to you (ὑμῖν - hymin): A dative plural pronoun, emphasizing that this promise is directly and personally extended to the entire community of Corinthian believers, and by extension, all who share their faith and obedience. It highlights the direct and inclusive nature of God's embrace.
• and you (καὶ ὑμεῖς - kai hymeis): Introduces the reciprocal aspect of the covenant. God acts, and in response, a new identity and status are conferred upon them. The emphatic "you" underscores their privileged position and changed status.
• shall be (ἔσεσθέ - esesthé): Also a future tense, parallel to God's "I will be," confirming that their status as God's children is a certain, divinely appointed reality for those in covenant with Him. It's a statement of assured identity.
• sons and daughters (εἰς υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας - eis huios kai thugateras): Explicitly includes both genders, removing any ambiguity about who benefits from this familial adoption. While "sons of God" is a general biblical term, this specific phrase underscores full inclusivity and equal status within God's family, offering belonging, inheritance, and identity to all believers regardless of gender.
• to Me (μοι - moi): A dative singular pronoun, stressing the personal and direct allegiance and relationship the adopted children will have to God Himself. Their belonging is specifically to Him.
• says (λέγει - legei): Present tense, signifying that this declaration is an ongoing, authoritative utterance. It is a live, active pronouncement from a powerful source.
• the Lord (Κύριος - Kyrios): This is the Greek equivalent for the divine name YHWH (Yahweh) in the Septuagint. It signifies the speaker's supreme divine authority, sovereignty, and faithfulness as the covenant-making and covenant-keeping God.
• Almighty (Παντοκράτωρ - Pantokratōr): A majestic and potent divine title. Predominantly used in the Septuagint for Hebrew "El Shaddai" (God Almighty) and "YHWH Sebaoth" (Lord of Hosts). It signifies God's absolute power, limitless sovereignty, and capacity to perfectly execute His will and promises. Its inclusion here anchors the profound intimacy of the father-child relationship in the awesome and undeniable power of the Creator God, ensuring that this promise is not merely a loving sentiment but an unshakeable certainty.
• "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me": This phrase encapsulates the essence of divine adoption and covenant partnership. It expresses a bilateral, deeply intimate relationship—God as the authoritative yet loving parent, and believers as His beloved and rightful heirs. This identity bestows upon believers unmatched status and security.
• "says the Lord Almighty": This conclusive statement functions as an unbreakable guarantee. It establishes the unimpeachable source and the formidable power behind the preceding promise. By invoking "the Lord" (sovereign God) and "Almighty" (omnipotent Ruler of all), the text affirms that the One making this promise possesses both the right and the absolute ability to fulfill it completely, rendering it utterly dependable.

2 Corinthians 6 18 Bonus section

Paul’s citation in 2 Corinthians 6:18, like the previous verse, is a composite quote, drawing upon the spirit and themes of several Old Testament passages rather than any single direct verse (notably 2 Sam 7:14; Isa 43:6; Jer 31:9). This weaving together of distinct prophecies emphasizes a continuous, overarching redemptive narrative in God's plan, linking ancient covenant promises to their New Testament fulfillment in Christ. The explicit mention of "daughters" is particularly noteworthy, given that Old Testament covenant language often focused on "sons" or generic "children of Israel." Its inclusion here ensures complete inclusivity of all genders within the new covenant family. Furthermore, the use of Pantokratōr ("Almighty") is a significant and rare occurrence in Paul's writings (it appears predominantly in Revelation in the New Testament), adding immense weight to the promise. This particular epithet was typically used in Greek-speaking Judaism for God's overwhelming power and dominion, providing a robust contrast to the impotence of the Corinthian idols and pagan deities, and lending irrefutable authority and certainty to God's promise of intimate familial relationship.

2 Corinthians 6 18 Commentary

2 Corinthians 6:18 culminates Paul's urgent appeal for holiness, unveiling the ultimate privilege granted to those who separate themselves for God: divine adoption. It is a profound, two-way covenant: God definitively pledges to become an intimately involved, loving, and sovereign Father, while believers are exalted to the esteemed status of His own sons and daughters. This promise encompasses full identity, security, provision, and inheritance within God's eternal family. The solemn affirmation, "says the Lord Almighty," ensures the absolute veracity and formidable power behind this astonishing commitment. It's not a mere spiritual metaphor but a living reality guaranteed by the all-powerful God, solidifying the New Covenant believer's status as a rightful child of the omnipotent Creator. This promise calls for a life of obedient consecration commensurate with such a magnificent relationship.

• Example: When faced with societal pressures to conform to ungodly standards, remembering "I am a son/daughter of the Lord Almighty" empowers a believer to stand firm in holiness, knowing their true belonging is with their heavenly Father, not the world. It provides deep comfort and security during trials, reminding them that an all-powerful Father is watching over His children.