2 Corinthians 6:17-18
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The surprising part here is that God doesn't just tell us to avoid the "unclean," He promises to welcome us as a direct result of that separation. This isn't about earning God's favor through isolation, but about experiencing His embrace more fully as we choose what aligns with Him.
Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is urging believers in Corinth to separate themselves from the corrupting influences of the pagan world around them. This call builds upon earlier warnings about the dangers of being unequally yoked with unbelievers, and it's a passionate plea to live a life set apart for God. The verse directly quotes Old Testament imagery to emphasize the radical nature of this separation and the promise of God's acceptance that awaits those who obey.
Ever feel like the world is pulling you in a million directions, asking you to compromise your values? This verse has a clear command for us.
Paul, quoting Isaiah, issues a powerful imperative: "go out from their midst, and be separate." This isn't about physically withdrawing from everyone, but about a distinct way of living. It's a call to disengage from the values, practices, and mindsets that are contrary to God's kingdom. Think of it as a spiritual 'social distancing' from anything that pollutes your walk with Him.
What does it truly mean to be 'unclean' in God's eyes, and why is avoiding it so crucial?
The command to 'touch no unclean thing' is intensely practical. 'Unclean' here refers to anything that defiles, corrupts, or separates us from God. This includes immoral actions, sinful attitudes, and potentially even associations that lead us astray. It’s about actively refusing to engage with what God finds offensive, preserving our spiritual purity so we can draw near to Him.
After all the effort of separating ourselves, what's the ultimate outcome? It's something truly worth striving for.
The promise at the end of the verse is the motivation for all the commands: 'then I will welcome you.' This isn't just a casual acceptance; it signifies God's intimate fellowship, His presence, and His favor. When we honor Him by living distinctly and avoiding what defiles, we open ourselves up to an even deeper, more profound relationship with our Heavenly Father. His welcome is the greatest reward.
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Understand the original words
exerchomai · Greek Verb
To move away, depart, or withdraw, specifically used in a moral or religious sense to indicate withdrawal from sinful associations, corruption, or compromise with the world.
aphorizo · Greek Verb
To be set apart, consecrated, or sanctified for God's use; this involves a distinct way of living that rejects moral pollution and aligns with God's holiness.
akathartos · Greek Adjective
Ritual or moral impurity that defiles a person's standing before a holy God; it necessitates avoidance to maintain one's consecrated status.
pater · Greek Noun
One who provides care, protection, instruction, and authority in a relationship, specifically used of God as the head of His covenant family.
hyios / thygater · Greek Noun
In a theological sense, this refers to those who have been adopted into God's family through faith, enjoying the privileges, intimacy, and inheritance of His children.
Pantokrator · Greek Noun
A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty, supreme authority, and boundless power over all creation and historical events.
Paul echoes ancient prophetic calls for God's people to maintain their distinct identity, urging believers in Corinth to separate themselves from the pervasive paganism and idolatry of the Greco-Roman world.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile many of the Judean elite. This marks a spiritual and national crisis, forcing a re-evaluation of Israel's covenant relationship with God.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Edict
Cyrus the Persian conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This ushers in the period of the Second Temple.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Under Nehemiah's leadership, the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt amidst significant opposition. This event emphasizes national and religious identity, and the need for separation from foreign influences that threaten it.
c. 3rd-2nd century BC
Rise of Hellenistic Influence
The Seleucid Empire imposes Greek culture and religion on Judea, leading to tension and conflict with those seeking to maintain Jewish distinctiveness and adherence to the Law.
c. 167-160 BC
Maccabean Revolt
A rebellion erupts against Antiochus IV Epiphanes' forced Hellenization, including the desecration of the Temple. This period highlights the struggle for religious purity and separation from pagan practices.
c. AD 50-65— this verse
Paul's Missionary Journeys
The Apostle Paul travels widely, establishing churches among both Jewish and Gentile populations. He consistently teaches believers to live distinctively holy lives, separate from the sinful practices of the surrounding culture.
This passage is a direct quote from Leviticus, commanding the Israelites to 'be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy,' setting the foundation for God's people being set apart from surrounding nations and their practices.
1 Peter 1:15-16Peter echoes this call to holiness, reminding believers that because God is holy, they too must be holy in all their conduct, reinforcing the idea of being set apart from the world's impurity.
Romans 12:1-2Paul urges believers not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewal of their minds, highlighting the internal and external separation required to live a life pleasing to God.
2 Corinthians 7:1This verse immediately follows chapter 6 and expands on the promise of God's welcome, encouraging believers to cleanse themselves from all defilement of body and spirit, thus 'making our perfection in the fear of God.'
The surprising part here is that God doesn't just tell us to avoid the "unclean," He promises to welcome us as a direct result of that separation. This isn't about earning God's favor through isolation, but about experiencing His embrace more fully as we choose what aligns with Him.
Paul is urging believers in Corinth to separate themselves from the corrupting influences of the pagan world around them. This call builds upon earlier warnings about the dangers of being unequally yoked with unbelievers, and it's a passionate plea to live a life set apart for God. The verse directly quotes Old Testament imagery to emphasize the radical nature of this separation and the promise of God's acceptance that awaits those who obey.
Paul is urging believers in Corinth to separate themselves from the corrupting influences of the pagan world around them. This call builds upon earlier warnings about the dangers of being unequally yoked with unbelievers, and it's a passionate plea to live a life set apart for God. The verse directly quotes Old Testament imagery to emphasize the radical nature of this separation and the promise of God's acceptance that awaits those who obey.
"Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, say…" — The surprising part here is that God doesn't just tell us to avoid the "unclean," He promises to welcome us as a direct result of that separation. This isn't about earning God's favor through isola…
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Last reviewed October 2026
