2 Corinthians 6:17

2 Corinthians 6:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
• New International Version (NIV)Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

Context of 2 Corinthians 6:17

15What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial (Satan)? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said: “I will dwell among them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. So come out from among unbelievers and be separate,” says the Lord, “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor], 18And I will be a Father to you, And you will be My sons and daughters,” Says the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:17 word by word

Διὸ ἐξέλθατε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει κύριος, καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε· κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
• come outἐξέρχομαιexerchomai · to go outG1831
• fromἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• amongμέσοςmesos · midstG3319
• themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• be ye separateἀφορίζωaphorizō · to separateG873
• saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• touchἅπτωhaptomai · to touchG680
• notμήmē · notG3361
• the uncleanἀκάθαρτοςakathartos · uncleanG169
• and Iκἀγώkagō kamoi kame · and IG2504
• will receiveεἰσδέχομαιeisdechomai · to receiveG1523
• youσύsu · youG4771

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 6:17

• 2 Corinthians 7:1Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God.
• Numbers 16:21“Separate yourselves from among this congregation, so that I may consume them immediately.”
• Ezra 6:21The Passover was eaten by the sons (descendants) of Israel (Jacob) who returned from exile and by all those who had separated themselves from the [ceremonial] uncleanness of the nations of the land to join them, in order to seek the Lord God of Israel.
• Ezra 10:11So now, make confession to the Lord God of your fathers and do His will. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from [your] foreign wives.”
• Psalms 1:1Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked [following their advice and example], Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit [down to rest] in the seat of scoffers (ridiculers).
• Proverbs 9:6Leave [behind] your foolishness [and the foolish] and live, And walk in the way of insight and understanding.”
• Isaiah 52:11Depart, depart, go out from there (the lands of exile), Touch no unclean thing; Go out of the midst of her (Babylon), purify yourselves, You who carry the articles of the Lord [on your journey from there].
• Jeremiah 51:6Flee out of Babylon, Let every one of you save his life! Do not be destroyed in her punishment, For this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; He is going to pay her what she has earned.
• Acts 2:40And Peter solemnly testified and continued to admonish and urge them with many more words, saying, “Be saved from this crooked and unjust generation!”
• Revelation 18:4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not be a partner in her sins and receive her plagues;
• John 6:37All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me].
• Romans 15:7Therefore, [continue to] accept and welcome one another, just as Christ has accepted and welcomed us to the glory of [our great] God.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 6:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Wherefore come out from among them - Is it not plain from this and the following verse that God would be their God only on the ground of their taking him for such, and that this depended on their being separated from the works and workers of iniquity? for God could not inhabit in them if they had concord with Belial, a portion with infidels; etc. Those who will have the promises of God fulfilled to them must come under the conditions of these promises: if…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Wherefore - Since you are a special people. Since God, the holy and blessed God, dwells with you and among you. Come out from among them - That is, from among idolaters and unbelievers; from a frivolous and vicious world. These words are taken, by a slight change, from Isaiah 3:11. They are there applied to the Jews in Babylon, and are a solemn call which God makes on them to leave the place of their exile, to come out from among the idolaters of that…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-18Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-18The connection between 6:13 and 7:2 has led many scholars to think that 6:14–7:1 might be an inserted fragment from another letter, possibly the one mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:9. However, this section could also be a digression in Paul's writing, challenging the Corinthians to stop opposing him and his message. Paul wanted to restore relationships, and here he describes believers in Christ as forming a holy temple. Believers' identity as the temple of…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. Quoted from Is 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; Mi 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…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 6:17

• Adoption
• Communion
• Company
• Fellowship
• Holiness
• Quotations and Allusions
• Salvation

In the dictionaries

• Agreement
• Care
• Cause
• Communion
• Concord
• Corinthians, Second Epistle to the
• Unequally
• Unrighteousness
• Church
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings