41. “Come Out From Among Them” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
“What communion [koinonia] hath light with
darkness?... Therefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing” (vv. 14,17).
This passage has always been popular with separatists, but it
is even more sorely misapplied than are some of the others we have considered.
The context clearly speaks of a life of unrighteousness. From such a worldly
outlook and way of life the believers are certainly prohibited, since such a
joining is an “unequal yoking with unbelievers”. But it is a
peculiar wresting of Scripture which would take this passage and wield it in
cutting off believers for some minor deviation, real or
imagined!
The entire passage is much richer and more detailed than one
would ever imagine from a cursory reading. Each phrase is fully expounded in a
series of articles by Brother David Parry — in which practical
applications are precisely drawn (The Testimony, Vol. 46, pp. 218-220,
270-272,311-314, 341-344, 427-429, and 452-455; Vol. 47, pp. 70-74). These
exhortational conclusions reveal once and for all the moral force of the
passage, in contrast to the mere legalistic approach in “withholding
fellowship” at the breaking of bread. We have certainly come to see by
now, if we had not realized it already, that “fellowship” is a much
broader and more meaningful concept for believers than the question of whom we
exclude from “our” table (which is not even ours, but
Christ’s). Fellowship with God is a way of life that permeates all
corners of our lives, and calls us constantly upward to a fuller appreciation of
life lived always in the presence, and in the household, of our Heavenly Father.
Those who convince themselves that their duty in the way of
“separation” is accomplished when they ruthlessly exclude some or
many of their brethren from their “fellowship” have simply not
understood as yet what “fellowship” is all about! And it just may be
that, in giving undue attention to one area of responsibility, they are on their
way to ignoring other, more far-reaching duties!
We shall briefly summarize the passage:
1. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers
(v. 14): Only two can wear a yoke, and they must agree together in the
direction they are traveling. We are commanded to be yoked with Christ (Matt.
11:28,29), and we can be yoked with no other at the same time.
“The call of Christ is to a complete way of life —
it is all-sufficient. Failure to realize that when Christ spoke of two ways, he
meant two and no more, has led men to try and walk in both, looking for a third.
For the Christian partnership to work, the believer must at all times try to
match the example of his Master. The only incentive is to think deeply of the
work being performed together. Unless positive reasons for a life in Christ are
understood, the yoke of Christ will chafe and the discipline be irksome”
(Ibid., p. 220).
2. What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
(v. 14): This word “fellowship” might best be translated
“partnership”, a joint partaking in something. Righteousness
describes the ethical standard by which God offers men salvation. It is the
pattern of life in Christ. It is impossible that there should be any partnership
between this way of living and its exact opposite — unrighteousness, or
lawlessness.
3. What communion hath light with darkness? (v. 14):
This word “communion” is the common word for
“fellowship” — koinonia. To think of fellowship
between light and darkness is to consider an impossibility, for the two cannot
in any way exist side by side. Those who say they fellowship light and yet
walk in darkness are liars (1 John 1:5-7). Correct beliefs are necessary,
but our fellowship in light must be proven by the actions of a
new life (1 John 2:29; 3:7; John 3:19-21; 8:39; 10:37). The Bible definition of
walking in darkness is not holding false doctrine, but hating one’s
brother (1 John 2:11)!
4. What concord hath Christ with Belial? (v. 15):
“Concord”, relating to the English word “symphony”,
expresses the idea of harmony in singing or other verbal expression. In
Christ’s life the “symphony” has already been composed. Each
performer and each instrument should be controlled by that original plan. We as
the players bring our individual talents to bear upon the composer’s
score. But we cannot “play our own tune”, or else there will be
discord and not concord in the finished product. Trying to follow both Christ
and Belial (idols) is like singing two songs at once. How much easier to follow
the example set by Christ, so that there be true harmony in our lives!
5. What part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
(v. 15): Here is the idea of sharing, or having a portion or an inheritance,
which may be understood against the Old Testament background of the promised
possession of the land.
“Believers and unbelievers have nothing in common which
they can share. The believer cannot take part in activities and associations
which are not controlled by God. The believer cannot share his inheritance, nor
allow it to be taken away by unholy men. He can, and must, seek to share his
inheritance by converting the unbeliever; but he must take care that this work
is the one that God has described in His Word. The Lord is the portion, the Hope
of Israel, the founder of the New Jerusalem. It is His inheritance, His kingdom,
His memorial” (Ibid., p. 429).
6. What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
(v. 16): This question involves the idea of putting together, or a joint
deposit, particularly of votes. The ecclesia is the temple of God (1 Cor. 6:19);
its members must cast in their “votes”, and their hopes and
aspirations, with their brethren — not with the “idols”, crude
or sophisticated, religious or secular, around them. The temptation to cast in
one’s lot and find apparent satisfaction with the godless of today is a
strong one to the modern saint. The only real antidote is not knowledge alone
but application to the example of Christ.
“Therefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you” (v. 17):
“The teaching of these words as highlighted by Paul
involves an equal determination on the part of a Christian to become holy
through separation from unrighteousness, darkness, Belial, unbelievers, and
idols. The far-reaching implications of these words are now obvious and it
behoves those who would apply them in very limited circumstances to take care
that in casting the first stone they are not condemning themselves”
(Ibid., p. 72).