Come Out From Among Them: What Does 2 Corinthians 6:17 Mean?

2 Corinthians 6:17 reads, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” King James Version (KJV)

Translation2 Corinthians 6:17
ESVTherefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
NASB“Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
NIVTherefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
NLTTherefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Also, see the meaning of Flee From Sexual Immorality in the Bible.

Come Out From Among Them: Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

6:11-18 It is wrong for believers to join with the wicked and profane. The word unbeliever applies to all destitute of true faith. True pastors will caution their beloved children in the gospel, not to be unequally yoked.

The fatal effects of neglecting Scripture precepts as to marriages clearly appear. Instead of a help meet, the union brings a snare.

Those whose cross it is to be unequally united, without their wilful fault, may expect consolation under it; but when believers enter into such unions, against the express warnings of God’s word, they must expect must distress.

The caution also extends to common conversation. We should not join in friendship and acquaintance with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid seeing and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never choose them for friends.

We must not defile ourselves by converse with those who defile themselves with sin.

Come out from the workers of iniquity, and separate from their vain and sinful pleasures and pursuits; from all conformity to the corruptions of this present evil world.

If it be an envied privilege to be the son or daughter of an earthly prince, who can express the dignity and happiness of being sons and daughters of the Almighty?

Also, see the meaning of Overcome Evil With Good in the Bible.

2 Corinthians 6:17 | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Quoted from Isa 52:11, with the freedom of one inspired, who gives variations sanctioned by the Holy Spirit.
be ye separate—”be separated” (Ho 4:17).

touch not the unclean thing—rather, “anything unclean” (2Co 7:1; Mic 2:10). Touching is more polluting, as implying participation, than seeing.

receive you—The Greek implies, “to myself”; as persons heretofore out of doors, but now admitted within (2Co 5:1-10). With this accords the clause, “Come out from among them,” namely, so as to be received to me. So Eze 20:41, “I will accept you”; and Zep 3:19, “gather her that was driven out.”

“The intercourse of believers with the world should resemble that of angels, who, when they have been sent a message from heaven, discharge their office with the utmost promptness, and joyfully fly back home to the presence of God” (1Co 7:31; 5:9, 10).

Also, see the meaning of No One Has Seen God in the Bible.

Daniel Isaiah Joseph

Daniel's seminary degree is in Exegetical Theology. He was a pastor for 10 years. As a professor, he has taught Bible and theology courses at two Christian universities. Please see his About page for details.

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