11 We have spoken openly[a] to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide. 12 You are not limited by us, but you are limited by your own affections. 13 I speak as to my children. As a proper response, you should also be open to us.

Separation to God

14 Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness?(A) Or what fellowship does light(B) have with darkness?(C) 15 What agreement does Christ have with Belial?[b] Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement does God’s sanctuary have with idols?(D) For we[c] are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said:

I will dwell among them(E)
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,(F)
and they will be My people.(G)[d]
17 Therefore, come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord;
do not touch any unclean thing,
and I will welcome you.(H)[e]
18 I will be a Father(I) to you,
and you will be sons(J) and daughters to Me,
says the Lord Almighty.(K)[f]

Therefore, dear friends, since we have such promises,(L) let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit,(M) completing our sanctification[g] in the fear of God.(N)

Joy and Repentance

Accept us.[h] We have wronged no one, corrupted(O) no one, defrauded no one. I don’t say this to condemn you, for I have already said that you are in our hearts, to live together and to die together. I have great confidence in you; I have great pride in you. I am filled with encouragement; I am overcome with joy in all our afflictions.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Lit Our mouths have been open
  2. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Or Beliar, a name for the Devil or antichrist in extra-biblical Jewish writings
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Other mss read you
  4. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lv 26:12; Jr 31:33; 32:38; Ezk 37:26
  5. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Is 52:11
  6. 2 Corinthians 6:18 2Sm 7:14; Is 43:6; 49:22; 60:4; Hs 1:10
  7. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Or spirit, perfecting holiness
  8. 2 Corinthians 7:2 Lit Make room for us

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you.(A) 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children(B)—open wide your hearts(C) also.

Warning Against Idolatry

14 Do not be yoked together(D) with unbelievers.(E) For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?(F) 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[a]?(G) Or what does a believer(H) have in common with an unbeliever?(I) 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?(J) For we are the temple(K) of the living God.(L) As God has said:

“I will live with them
    and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.”[b](M)

17 Therefore,

“Come out from them(N)
    and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
    and I will receive you.”[c](O)

18 And,

“I will be a Father to you,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,(P)
says the Lord Almighty.”[d](Q)

Therefore, since we have these promises,(R) dear friends,(S) let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness(T) out of reverence for God.

Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance

Make room for us in your hearts.(U) We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts(V) that we would live or die with you. I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you.(W) I am greatly encouraged;(X) in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.(Y)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar, a variant of Belial
  2. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev. 26:12; Jer. 32:38; Ezek. 37:27
  3. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isaiah 52:11; Ezek. 20:34,41
  4. 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8