Paul is quoting from a collection of verses in the Old Testament Scriptures to make the connection between God's relationship with and expectations for His people Israel under the Old Covenant and all who are His through Christ under the new covenant.

God had redeemed Israel from slavery and commanded the Israelites to live separate from other nations. That meant keeping themselves pure from sin, including the worship of other nations' gods. God has redeemed those who are in Christ from slavery to the law and to their own sinfulness. Now Paul is urging believers to separate themselves from any connections to the worship of idols or ongoing participation in sin.

Paul references Isaiah 43:6 to finally establish that a believer's relationship with God through faith in Christ is that of a child to a Father. God calls Christians His sons and daughters. His commands to separate from the worship of idols and ongoing sin is not about religious rule following for its own sake. It is about being in a loyal and loving relationship with our Father, who is God.

Second Corinthians 6:14—7:1 begins with Paul's command to the Corinthians not to be ''unequally yoked'' with unbelievers. Light and darkness cannot be in fellowship. Christ and Satan cannot work together. Christians are God's temples on earth since His Spirit lives in them. That's why they must separate themselves from any kind of formal, binding relationship with unbelievers. Paul references several Old Testament Scriptures to show that believers in Jesus must separate themselves from being ''yoked'' to unbelievers since God is their Father and lives among them.

This passage appeals to the Corinthians not to miss the day of salvation. Paul insists that he and those who work with him have done nothing to keep anyone from believing in Christ. He points to the evidence that he has been a true apostle and representative of Christ and asks the Corinthians to open their hearts to him again. He commands them not to harness themselves to unbelievers since Christ can have nothing to do with Satan or darkness. God lives in them through the Holy Spirit, so they must separate from everything that is opposed to God.

Second Corinthians 6 is set up by the message of God's grace for sinners as spelled it out in the previous chapter. Paul begs the Corinthians not to receive it in vain. He declares that he and his team have done nothing to keep them from believing in Christ. Parallel to this, he commands the Corinthians not to be harnessed to unbelievers. This leads into a passionate discussion of affliction and comfort in chapter 7.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.

Accessed 5/6/2024 7:08:45 AM

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