2 Corinthians 6:17
What does 2 Corinthians 6:17 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 6:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 6:17 means
Because believers are God’s temple, the Lord commands them to come out from among the unclean and be separate. Separation here is moral and spiritual, especially from idolatry and practices that defile worship and conscience. God pledges, “I will receive you,” promising communion and favor to those who heed His call. This is not salvation by withdrawal but fellowship safeguarded by consecration. When God’s people refuse compromise, they experience the sweetness of His nearness. The imperative and the promise go together: holiness keeps open the door of intimate fellowship with the living God, who welcomes those who prize His presence over unclean alliances.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For which cause, Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and let no unclean thing come near you; and I will take you for myself,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862wherefore, come ye forth out of the midst of them, and be separated, saith the Lord, and an unclean thing do not touch, and I--I will receive you,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wherefore: Go out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Wherefore come out from the midst of them, and be separated, saith [the] Lord, and touch not [what is] unclean, and I will receive you;
Context
This verse applies the identity of verse 16 with a concrete command and a gracious promise. It draws from covenant language to show continuity with God’s dealings across history. The momentum carries into verse 18, which heightens the relational promise—God as Father, believers as sons and daughters. Thus the chapter’s close weds separation to adoption, presenting holiness as the pathway to deeper communion, not a barren legalism.
v.16And what agreement hath a temple of God with idols? for we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
v.17This passage
v.18And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 16:26
And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.
- Psalms 1:1
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers:
- Acts 2:40
And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- John 6:37
All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
- Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and save every man his life; be not cut off in her iniquity: for it is the time of Jehovah’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense.
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