King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 6:17 Mean?

2 Corinthians 6:17 in the King James Version says “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will rece... — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2 Corinthians 6:17 · KJV


Context

15

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord (διὸ ἐξέλθατε ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν καὶ ἀφορίσθητε, λέγει κύριος, dio exelthate ek mesou autōn kai aphoristhēte, legei kyrios)—Dio ('wherefore, therefore') grounds this command in the preceding identity: because you are God's temple. Exelthate (aorist imperative of exerchomai) commands decisive departure—'come out!' Aphoristhēte (aorist passive imperative of aphorizō, 'separate, set apart') recalls Israel's call to be a holy nation (Lev 20:24-26). This isn't social isolation but spiritual distinctiveness—refusing partnerships and practices that compromise covenant loyalty.

And touch not the unclean thing (καὶ ἀκαθάρτου μὴ ἅπτεσθε, kai akathartou mē haptesthe)—Akathartos (unclean) evokes Levitical purity laws (Lev 5:2; 11:8; Isa 52:11). Haptomai (touch, handle, cling to) suggests intimate contact. Paul applies ceremonial uncleanness metaphorically to moral and spiritual defilement—primarily idolatry and its associated immorality. The present imperative with means 'stop touching' or 'do not continue touching.'

And I will receive you (κἀγὼ εἰσδέξομαι ὑμᾶς, kagō eisdexomai hymas)—Eisdechomai means to receive favorably, welcome, accept. The future tense promises God's responsive reception when His people obey the call to separation. This echoes God's acceptance of Israel after they separated from Egypt (Ex 19:5-6) and anticipates eschatological acceptance into God's presence. Separation from the world is the pathway to intimacy with God—we cannot embrace both simultaneously.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul quotes loosely from Isaiah 52:11 (LXX), originally commanding exiles to leave Babylon ceremonially clean as they carried temple vessels back to Jerusalem. Paul applies this exodus/exile typology to Christians: we are to 'come out' from spiritual Babylon (worldliness, idolatry, compromise) and maintain covenant purity as we journey to the heavenly city (cf. Rev 18:4).

Reflection Questions

  1. From what specific entanglements is God calling you to 'come out' and 'be separate' in order to maintain covenant purity?
  2. How do you discern the difference between biblical separation (maintaining spiritual distinctiveness) and sinful separatism (Pharisaic isolationism)?
  3. What promise of divine reception motivates your willingness to accept the cost and loneliness that sometimes accompanies separation from worldliness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
διὸ1 of 16

Wherefore

G1352

through which thing, i.e., consequently

Ἐξέλθετε2 of 16

come out

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

ἐκ3 of 16

from

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

μέσου4 of 16

among

G3319

middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)

αὐτῶν5 of 16

them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ6 of 16

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀφορίσθητε7 of 16

be ye separate

G873

to set off by boundary, i.e., (figuratively) limit, exclude, appoint, etc

λέγει8 of 16

saith

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

κύριος9 of 16

the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

καὶ10 of 16

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀκαθάρτου11 of 16

the unclean

G169

impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specially, (demonic))

μὴ12 of 16

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἅπτεσθε·13 of 16

touch

G680

properly, to attach oneself to, i.e., to touch (in many implied relations)

κἀγὼ14 of 16

thing and

G2504

so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.

εἰσδέξομαι15 of 16

I will receive

G1523

to take into one's favor

ὑμᾶς16 of 16

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 6:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 6:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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