2 Corinthians 6:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} what {G5101} concord {G4857} hath Christ {G5547} with {G4314} Belial {G955}? or {G2228} what {G5101} part {G3310} hath he that believeth {G4103} with {G3326} an infidel {G571}?

Complete Jewish Bible

What harmony can there be between the Messiah and B’liya‘al? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

Berean Standard Bible

What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

American Standard Version

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Corinthians 6:15 poses a profound rhetorical question, challenging the Corinthian believers—and by extension, all Christians—to recognize the fundamental incompatibility between Christ and Belial, and between those who believe and those who do not. This verse, nestled within Paul's broader exhortation for spiritual separation, underscores the absolute antithesis between righteousness and unrighteousness, light and darkness, and calls believers to maintain a distinct identity and purity in their most significant relationships and allegiances, reflecting their consecration to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of Paul's impassioned appeal for the Corinthian church to live a life of holiness and separation from worldly defilement, specifically found in [2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1](/2_corinthians/6-14-7-1 "2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Exhortation to Purity and Separation"). The immediate preceding verse, [2 Corinthians 6:14](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14 - Warning Against Unequal Yokes"), directly warns against being "unequally yoked with unbelievers." Verse 15 then amplifies this warning through a series of five stark rhetorical questions, each presenting an irreconcilable contrast (righteousness vs. lawlessness, light vs. darkness, Christ vs. Belial, believer vs. unbeliever, temple of God vs. idols). This section serves as a strong ethical and theological foundation for Paul's subsequent call to "cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" ([2 Corinthians 7:1](/2_corinthians/7-1 "2 Corinthians 7:1 - Perfecting Holiness")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city, notorious for its moral laxity and religious syncretism. The city boasted numerous pagan temples, including a prominent temple to Aphrodite, where cultic prostitution was practiced. Christians in Corinth faced immense pressure to conform to prevailing social norms, which often involved participation in pagan feasts, idol worship, and various immoral practices. Paul's exhortation for separation was not a call for social isolation, but a vital warning against spiritual compromise that could dilute their faith and witness. The concept of "Belial" would have resonated with Jewish and Hellenistic audiences familiar with its association with evil and worthlessness, making the contrast with Christ particularly potent in such an environment.
* **Key Themes:** The verse profoundly contributes to several major theological themes within 2 Corinthians and the broader Pauline corpus. Primarily, it emphasizes **Spiritual Separation**, highlighting the fundamental incompatibility between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. It underscores the **Nature of Christ vs. Evil**, portraying Christ as the embodiment of divine righteousness and Belial as the personification of ultimate wickedness, thus establishing an absolute moral and spiritual divide. This leads to the theme of **Purity of Fellowship**, challenging believers to carefully discern and guard the nature of their deepest relationships and alliances, particularly those that involve shared values and life direction. The underlying call is to **Holiness and Consecration**, reminding believers that as the "temple of the living God" ([2 Corinthians 6:16](/2_corinthians/6-16 "2 Corinthians 6:16 - Believers as the Temple of God")), they are set apart for God and must live in a manner consistent with His holy nature, echoing the Old Testament call for Israel to be distinct from surrounding nations ([Leviticus 20:26](/leviticus/20-26 "Leviticus 20:26 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **concord (Greek, _symphṓnēsis'_):** From _symphōneō_, meaning "to sound together" or "to agree." It implies harmony, agreement, or a shared understanding. In this context, Paul uses it to question the possibility of any genuine, deep agreement or common ground between Christ and Belial, emphasizing their absolute opposition.
* **Belial (Greek, _Belíal'_):** A transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "worthlessness," "wickedness," or "scoundrel." In later Jewish literature, it became a proper name for Satan or a chief evil spirit, representing the epitome of evil and rebellion against God. Paul employs it here as a vivid personification of all that is antithetical to Christ.
* **infidel (Greek, _ápistos'_):** From _a_ (negative particle) and _pistós_ ("trustworthy," "believing"). It means "disbelieving," "without faith," or "unbelieving." It refers to someone who lacks saving faith in Christ, standing in stark contrast to "he that believeth" (_pistós_), who possesses faith and is therefore trustworthy in God's eyes.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And what concord hath Christ with Belial?":** This rhetorical question establishes the first, most absolute contrast. It highlights the utter impossibility of any harmony, agreement, or shared purpose between Christ, the embodiment of divine truth, righteousness, and light, and Belial, the personification of worthlessness, wickedness, and spiritual darkness. The question's implied answer is a resounding "None whatsoever," setting the spiritual standard.
* **"or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?":** This second rhetorical question parallels and extends the first, moving from the cosmic spiritual forces to the practical implications for individuals. It asks what common "part" or share—meaning participation, inheritance, or deep fellowship—can exist between a "believer" (one who has put their faith in Christ and is consecrated to God) and an "infidel" (one who lacks such faith). Just as Christ and Belial are irreconcilable, so too are the foundational allegiances and ultimate life purposes of those who follow Christ and those who do not.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs **Rhetorical Questions** throughout [2 Corinthians 6:14-16](/2_corinthians/6-14-16 "2 Corinthians 6:14-16 - Questions of Incompatibility") to drive home his point with undeniable force. By asking questions that demand an obvious negative answer, he compels the readers to acknowledge the inherent incompatibility of the juxtaposed elements. The verse is built upon profound **Antithesis**, presenting stark, irreconcilable opposites: Christ vs. Belial, and believer vs. infidel. This sharp contrast serves to emphasize the absolute spiritual divide. Furthermore, the use of "Belial" is a powerful instance of **Personification**, where an abstract concept of worthlessness and evil is given a personal identity, making the opposition to Christ even more vivid and concrete.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological weight of [2 Corinthians 6:15](/2_corinthians/6-15 "2 Corinthians 6:15 - Christ and Belial") lies in its affirmation of God's absolute holiness and the call for His people to reflect that holiness in their lives. It underscores the reality of two distinct spiritual kingdoms—the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness—and the impossibility of true allegiance to both. This verse does not advocate for social isolation from unbelievers, which Paul explicitly refutes elsewhere ([1 Corinthians 5:9-10](/1_corinthians/5-9-10 "1 Corinthians 5:9-10 - Not to Associate with Immoral People")), but rather warns against deep, binding partnerships or alliances that would compromise a believer's faith, values, and ultimate spiritual commitment. It speaks to the integrity of one's spiritual identity, asserting that a Christian's core being and purpose are fundamentally different from those who do not share faith in Christ.

* [1 Corinthians 10:21](/1_corinthians/10-21 "1 Corinthians 10:21 - Cannot Drink Cup of the Lord and of Demons")
* [Ephesians 5:8-11](/ephesians/5-8-11 "Ephesians 5:8-11 - Walk as Children of Light")
* [James 4:4](/james/4-4 "James 4:4 - Friendship with the World is Enmity with God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
2 Corinthians 6:15 serves as a timeless principle for believers navigating a world with conflicting values and allegiances. It compels us to critically evaluate the nature of our most significant relationships, particularly those involving shared life direction, values, and ultimate purpose, such as marriage, business partnerships, or deeply influential friendships. The core message is not about avoiding all interaction with unbelievers, but about safeguarding our spiritual integrity and ensuring that our closest associations do not compromise our devotion to Christ or hinder our spiritual growth. This principle calls for wisdom in discerning which "yokes" are truly unequal, leading to spiritual compromise, and which interactions are opportunities for witness and light, without sacrificing our distinct identity in Christ. Our lives, as temples of the Holy Spirit, are to manifest God's holiness in a world that desperately needs to see it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be forming "unequal yokes" that compromise my commitment to Christ?**
* **How can I maintain a distinct Christian identity while still engaging lovingly and redemptively with unbelievers?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my closest relationships align with my spiritual values and purpose?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean Christians should not have any interaction with unbelievers?**

Answer: No, this verse does not advocate for complete social isolation from unbelievers. Paul himself clarifies this in [1 Corinthians 5:9-10](/1_corinthians/5-9-10 "1 Corinthians 5:9-10 - Not to Associate with Immoral People"), stating that to avoid all contact with immoral people of this world would require leaving the world entirely. The warning in [2 Corinthians 6:15](/2_corinthians/6-15 "2 Corinthians 6:15 - Christ and Belial") is against forming deep, binding alliances or partnerships—especially those that involve shared spiritual or life-defining purposes—that could compromise a believer's faith, values, or allegiance to Christ. This includes marriage, business partnerships, or close friendships where the fundamental spiritual foundation is absent, leading to potential spiritual harm or compromise of one's witness. It's about discerning between redemptive engagement and compromising entanglement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
2 Corinthians 6:15 finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of righteousness, light, and truth, having no "concord" or "part" with Belial, the personification of evil. Christ's life, death, and resurrection represent the decisive victory over the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), establishing an unbridgeable chasm between His kingdom and that of evil. Through His atoning sacrifice, believers are delivered from the dominion of darkness and transferred into His glorious kingdom ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness to Kingdom of Light")), becoming "light in the Lord" ([Ephesians 5:8](/ephesians/5-8 "Ephesians 5:8 - Walk as Children of Light")). Our identity as those who "believe" is entirely derived from our union with Christ, who has cleansed us from sin and made us holy ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). Thus, the call to separation is not a legalistic burden but a joyful recognition of our new nature in Christ, who has already separated us from the power and influence of Belial and all unrighteousness, empowering us to live lives that reflect His purity and light ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Son of God Appeared to Destroy Works of the Devil")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 18:21

¶ And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

1 Corinthians 10:20

But [I say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

1 Corinthians 10:21

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

1 John 5:11

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1 John 5:13

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1 Samuel 5:2

When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon.

1 Samuel 5:4

And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon [was] fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands [were] cut off upon the threshold; only [the stump of] Dagon was left to him.