2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Corinthians 6:17 mean?

2 Corinthians 6:17 calls believers to separate themselves from influences or practices that are considered spiritually impure, promising that God will welcome those who do so. The verse uses the image of leaving behind what is "unclean" as a way of urging a clear distinction between the community of faith and the surrounding culture’s values or behaviors that conflict with God’s standards.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, quoting from the Old Testament to encourage the Christians there to avoid close association with anything that would compromise their faith or moral integrity. The context is about maintaining spiritual distinctiveness in a city known for its many religious and moral challenges, and Paul emphasizes that God’s acceptance is connected to this call for separation.

The Greek behind 2 Corinthians 6:17

• ἐξέλθετε (exelthate, "come out"): This word means to leave or depart from a group or place. Here, it carries the sense of making a decisive break from certain people or practices.
• ἀφορίσθητε (aphoristhēte, "be separate"): This verb means to set apart or mark off by boundaries. Paul is urging the Corinthians to maintain a clear distinction in their way of life.
• ἁκαθάρτου (akathartou, "unclean thing"): This word refers to what is ritually or morally impure. The focus is not just on physical impurity but on anything that would spiritually defile.
• μὴ ἅπτεσθε (mē haptēsthe, "touch not"): The verb means to fasten oneself to or cling to. Paul is not only talking about physical contact but also about avoiding close involvement or participation.

Why 2 Corinthians 6:17 matters

• This verse clarifies that Paul is not advocating isolation from all non-believers, but rather a refusal to participate in practices or relationships that would compromise one’s faith.
• The emphasis on separation is about maintaining integrity and loyalty to God, especially in a context where cultural and religious pressures are strong.
• Understanding the original Greek terms helps reveal that Paul’s call is both about outward actions and inward commitments, highlighting the seriousness of spiritual purity in the Christian life.