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SEPTEMBER 14

6:2 Paul emphasized his point by quoting 6:7 by the word of truth. The Scriptures, the
Isaiah 49:8. He was passionately concerned revealed Word of God (Col. 1:5; James 1:18).
that the Corinthians adhere to the truth During his entire ministry,Paul never operated
because it was God’s time to save and they beyond the boundaries of the direction and
were messengers for helping to spread that guidance of divine revelation. by the power
message. now is the day of salvation. Paul of God. Paul did not rely on his own strength
applied Isaiah’s words to the present situation. when he ministered (1 Cor. 1:18; 2:1–5; Rom.
There is a time in God’s economy when He lis- 1:16). by the armor of righteousness. Paul
tens to sinners and responds to those who are did not fight Satan’s kingdom with human
repentant—and it was and is that time (Prov. resources, but with spiritual virtue (10:3–5;
1:20–23;Is.55:6;Heb.3:7,8;4:7).However,there Eph. 6:10–18). the right hand…the left. Paul
will also be an end to that time (Gen.6:3; Prov. had both offensive tools, such as the sword of
1:24–33; John 9:4), which is why Paul’s exhor- the Spirit, and defensive tools, such as the
tation was so passionate. shield of faith and the helmet of salvation, at
his disposal.
yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoic-
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ing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having
nothing, and yet possessing all things. “I will dwell in them
11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to And walk among them.
you, our heart is wide open. You are not I will be their God,
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restricted by us, but you are restricted by your And they shall be My people.”
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own affections. Now in return for the same (I
17 Therefore
speak as to children), you also be open.
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with “Come out from among them
unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteous- And be separate, says the Lord.
ness with lawlessness? And what communion Do not touch what is unclean,
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has light with darkness? And what accord has And I will receive you.”
Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer 18 “I will be a Father to you,
with an unbeliever? And what agreement has And you shall be My sons and
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the temple of God with idols? For you are the daughters,
temple of the living God. As God has said: Says the LORD Almighty.”
DAY 14:What did Paul mean by warning believers to not become
“unequally yoked together with unbelievers”?
Paul’s use of this phrase in 2 Corinthians 6:14 is an illustration taken from Old Testament pro-
hibitions to Israel regarding the work-related joining together of two different kinds of livestock
(Deut. 22:10). By this analogy, Paul taught that it is not right to join together in common spiritual
enterprise with unbelievers—a relationship that would be detrimental to the Christian’s testimony
within the body of Christ.It is impossible under such an arrangement for things to be done to God’s
glory (1 Cor. 5:9–13; 6:15–18; 10:7–21; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15). This was especially important for the
Corinthians because of the threats from the false teachers and the surrounding pagan idolatry. But
this command does not mean believers should end all associations with unbelievers.That would defy
the purpose for which God saved believers and left them on earth (Matt.28:19,20; 1 Cor.9:19–23).
“And what accord has Christ with Belial?”(v. 15). An ancient name for Satan, the utterly worth-
less one (Deut. 13:13).This contrasts sharply with Jesus Christ, the worthy One with whom believers
are to be in fellowship.“And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?”(v. 16).The temple
of God (true Christianity) and idols (idolatrous,demonic false religions) are utterly incompatible.“You
are the temple of the living God.”Believers individually are spiritual houses (5:1) in which the Spirit
of Christ dwells. “As God has said.” Paul supported his statement by referring to a blend of Old
Testament texts (Lev. 26:11,12; Jer. 24:7; 31:33; Ezek. 37:26,27; Hos. 2:2,3).
Paul drew from Isaiah 52:11 and elaborated on the command to be spiritually separated. It is
not only irrational and sacrilegious but disobedient to be bound together with unbelievers.When
believers are saved, they are to disengage themselves from all forms of false religion and make a
clean break from all sinful habits and old idolatrous patterns.“Be separate.”This is a command for
believers to be as Christ was (Heb. 7:26).

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