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“‘Go out from their midst;
separate yourselves;
don’t even touch what is unclean.
Then I myself will receive you.
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Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Corinthians 6:11–18. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
The apostle proceeds to address himself more particularly to the Corinthians, and cautions them against mingling with unbelievers. Here observe,
I.How the caution is introduced with a profession, in a very pathetic manner, of the most tender affection to them, even like that of a father to his children, Co2 6:11-13. Though the apostle was happy in a great fluency of expressions, yet he seemed to want words to express the warm affections he had for these Corinthians. As if he had said, "O ye Corinthians, to whom I am now writing, I would fain convince you how well I love you: we are desirous to promote the spiritual and eternal welfare of all to whom we preach, yet our mouth is open unto you, and our heart is enlarged unto you, in a special manner." And, because his heart was thus enlarged with love to them, therefore he opened his mouth so freely to them in kind admonitions and exhortations: "You are not," says he, "straitened in us; we would gladly do you all the service we can, and promote your comfort, as helpers of your faith and your joy; and, if it be otherwise, the fault is in yourselves; it is because you are straitened in yourselves, and fail in suitable returns to us, through some misapprehensions concerning us; and all we desire as a recompense is only that you would be proportionably affected towards us, as children should love their father." Note, It is desirable that there should be a mutual good affection between ministers and their people, and this would greatly tend to their mutual comfort and advantage.
II.The caution or exhortation itself, not to mingle with unbelievers, not to be unequally yoked with them, Co2 6:14. Either,
1.In stated relations. It is wrong for good people to join in affinity with the wicked and profane; these will draw different ways, and that will be galling and grievous. Those relations that are our choice must be chosen by rule; and it is good for those who are themselves the children of God to join with those who are so likewise; for there is more danger that the bad will damage the good than hope that the good will benefit the bad.
2.In common conversation. We should not yoke ourselves in friendship and acquaintance with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid seeing, and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never choose them for our bosom-friends.
3.Much less should we join in religious communion with them; we must not join with them in their idolatrous services, nor concur with them in their false worship, nor any abominations; we must not confound together the table of the Lord and the table of devils, the house of God and the house of Rimmon. The apostle gives several good reasons against this corrupt mixture.
(1.)It is a very great absurdity, Co2 6:14, Co2 6:15. It is an unequal yoking of things together that will not agree together; as bad as for the Jews to have ploughed with an ox and an ass or to have sown divers sorts of grain intermixed. What an absurdity is it to think of joining righteousness and unrighteousness, or mingling light and darkness, fire and water, together! Believers are, and should be, righteous; but unbelievers are unrighteous. Believers are made light in the Lord, but unbelievers are in darkness; and what comfortable communion can these have together? Christ and Belial are contrary one to the other; they have opposite interests and designs, so that it is impossible there should be any concord or agreement between them. It is absurd, therefore, to think of enlisting under both; and, if the believer has part with an infidel, he does what in him lies to bring Christ and Belial together.
(2.)It is a dishonour to the Christian's profession (Co2 6:16); for Christians are by profession, and should be in reality, the temples of the living God - dedicated to, and employed for, the service of God, who has promised to reside in them, to dwell and walk in them, to stand in a special relation to them, and take a special care of them, that he will be their God and they shall be his people. Now there can be no agreement between the temple of God and idols. Idols are rivals with God for his honour, and God is a jealous God, and will not give his glory to another.
(3.)There is a great deal of danger in communicating with unbelievers and idolators, danger of being defiled and of being rejected; therefore the exhortation is (Co2 6:17) to come out from among them, and keep at a due distance, to be separate, as one would avoid the society of those who have the leprosy or the plague, for fear of taking infection, and not to touch the unclean thing, lest we be defiled. Who can touch pitch, and not be defiled by it? We must take care not to defile ourselves by converse with those who defile themselves with sin; so is the will of God, as we ever hope to be received, and not rejected, by him.
(4.)It is base ingratitude to God for all the favours he has bestowed upon believers and promised to them, Co2 6:18. God has promised to be a Father to them, and that they shall be his sons and his daughters; and is there a greater honour or happiness than this? How ungrateful a thing then must it be if those who have this dignity and felicity should degrade and debase themselves by mingling with unbelievers! Do we thus requite the Lord, O foolish and unwise?
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
5 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
"Wherefore also go forth from the midst of them, and be separated, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be to you for a Father, and ye shall be my sons and daughters."
Again, "Go ye out from the midst of them; touch not the unclean thing; separate yourselves, ye that bear the vessels of the Lord." (The apostle says further: ) "Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess," -a precept which is suggested by the passage (of the prophet), where the seducers of the consecrated (Nazarites) to drunkenness are rebuked: "Ye gave wine to my holy ones to drink.
If you think this said about a heathen, at all events about believers you have already heard (it said) through Isaiah: "Go out from the midst of them, and be separate, and touch not the impure." You have at the very outset of the Psalms, "Blessed the man who hath not gone astray in the counsel of the impious, nor stood in the way of sinners, and sat in the state-chair of pestilence; " whose voice, withal, (is heard) subsequently: "I have not sat with the conclave of vanity; and with them who act iniquitously will I not enter"-this (has to do with "the church" of such as act ill-"and with the impious will I not sit; " and, "I will wash with the innocent mine hands, and Thine altar will I surround, Lord" -as being" a host in himself"-inasmuch as indeed "With an holy (man), holy Thou wilt be; and with an innocent man, innocent Thou wilt be; and with an elect, elect Thou wilt be; and with a perverse, perverse Thou wilt be.
And again: "Depart from the midst of them, and separate yourselves, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you."
"Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, and touch no unclean thing; and I will receive you, saith the Lord."
And He said not, 'Do not unclean things'; but, requiring greater strictness, 'do not even touch,' saith he, 'nor go near them.' But what is filthiness of the flesh? Adultery, fornication, lasciviousness of every kind. And what of the soul? Unclean thoughts, as gazing with unchaste eyes, malice, deceits, and whatsoever such things there be. He wishes then that they should be clean in both. Seest thou how great the prize? To be delivered from what is evil, to be made one with God.
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Summary
Second Corinthians 6:17 issues a divine imperative for believers to intentionally separate themselves from the defiling influences of the world, particularly in their intimate associations and practices. This call to spiritual and moral distinction, rooted in Old Testament principles of holiness, promises divine reception and intimate fellowship to those who obey, underscoring God's desire for a pure and set-apart people.
Context
Literary Context
This verse serves as the climactic command within a broader exhortation (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) where Paul passionately warns the Corinthian believers against forming "unequal yokes" with unbelievers. The preceding verses establish a stark contrast between righteousness and lawlessness, light and darkness, Christ and Belial, and the temple of God and idols (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Paul argues that such fundamental incompatibilities preclude deep, binding partnerships. Verse 17, therefore, is the logical conclusion to this argument, providing the divine command to physically and spiritually withdraw from practices and relationships that compromise their identity as God's people. The subsequent verse, 2 Corinthians 6:18, then articulates the profound covenantal blessings that accompany such obedience, solidifying the promise of intimate divine relationship.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Corinthian church was situated in a bustling, cosmopolitan city known for its diverse religious cults, rampant immorality, and strong pagan influences, including temple prostitution and idol worship. Believers in Corinth would have faced constant pressure to conform to prevailing cultural norms, which often involved participation in pagan feasts, social gatherings tied to idolatry, or business dealings that necessitated compromise with ungodly practices. Paul's exhortation to "come out" and "be separate" directly echoes Old Testament calls for Israel to maintain their distinct identity amidst surrounding idolatrous nations, such as the command to depart from Babylon in Isaiah 52:11 and Jeremiah 51:45. This historical precedent underscores that God's people, whether ancient Israel or the New Testament church, are called to a unique standard of holiness in a world often hostile to divine purity.
Key Themes
The central theme of 2 Corinthians 6 and particularly this verse is Separation and Holiness. God's people are called to be set apart, not merely in location but in character, values, and practices, reflecting His own holy nature. This leads to the theme of Purity, as the command "touch not the unclean thing" emphasizes abstaining from anything that defiles morally, spiritually, or even ritually in a symbolic sense, reminiscent of the clean/unclean distinctions in the Old Testament Law. The ultimate motivation for this separation is the theme of Divine Reception and Intimacy. The promise "and I will receive you" highlights God's desire for a deep, covenantal relationship with His people, a relationship contingent upon their faithfulness and purity, as further elaborated in the subsequent promise of God being their Father and they His sons and daughters in 2 Corinthians 6:18.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From ἐκ (ek, "out of") and ἔρχομαι (érchomai, "to come/go"), this verb means "to issue forth," "to depart," or "to go out." In this context, it is an imperative, demanding a decisive and active withdrawal from the midst of unholy associations or influences. It implies a physical and spiritual disengagement from that which is contrary to God's will.
Derived from ἀπό (apó, "from") and ὁρίζω (horízō, "to set a boundary"), this term literally means "to set off by boundary," "to mark off," or "to distinguish." It conveys the idea of being distinctly marked or set apart for a specific purpose. Here, it signifies a divine act of consecration and a human act of choosing to live distinctly from the world, establishing clear boundaries against defilement.
Formed from the negative particle α (a) and a presumed root meaning "cleansed," this adjective denotes something "impure," "defiled," or "unclean." This impurity can be ceremonial (as in Old Testament law), moral (referring to lewdness or sin), or even spiritual (associated with demonic influence). In 2 Corinthians 6:17, it broadly encompasses anything that is morally or spiritually defiling in God's sight, particularly in the context of pagan practices and worldly compromise.
Verse Breakdown
"Wherefore come out from among them"
This phrase serves as a logical conclusion ("Wherefore") to Paul's preceding argument against unequal yokes. It is a direct and urgent command, an imperative for believers to physically and spiritually withdraw from deep, compromising entanglements with unbelievers or ungodly systems. It implies a decisive break from associations that could dilute their faith or defile their spiritual integrity.
"and be ye separate, saith the Lord"
This is a reinforcing command, emphasizing the nature of the required withdrawal. It's not just a physical departure but a setting apart, a consecration to God. The phrase "saith the Lord" lends divine authority and weight to the command, indicating that this is not merely Paul's advice but a direct word from God, echoing His covenantal call for Israel to be a holy nation.
"and touch not the unclean [thing];"
This further clarifies the practical outworking of separation. "Touch not" implies abstaining from participation in, or close association with, anything that is morally or spiritually defiling. The "unclean thing" refers broadly to anything impure in God's eyes, including idolatry, immorality, or any practice that compromises Christian purity and witness. It's a call to active avoidance of defilement.
"and I will receive you,"
This clause presents the glorious divine promise contingent upon obedience to the preceding commands. "Receive" here signifies acceptance, welcome, and the establishment of a close, intimate relationship. It is God's pledge to embrace as His own those who prioritize holiness and separation, leading directly into the covenantal promises of 2 Corinthians 6:18.
Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in 2 Corinthians 6:17 to convey his urgent message. The dominant device is Imperative Mood, seen in "come out," "be ye separate," and "touch not," which conveys direct commands from a position of authority, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of God's call to holiness. There is a strong element of Allusion to Old Testament passages, particularly the prophetic calls for Israel to separate from idolatrous nations (e.g., Isaiah 52:11), which grounds the New Testament command in a long-standing biblical tradition of divine separation. The phrase "the unclean [thing]" functions as a Metonymy or Synecdoche, where a part (the unclean thing) stands for the whole concept of spiritual defilement, encompassing all forms of sin and idolatry. Finally, the verse concludes with a clear Conditional Promise: if believers obey the commands to separate and remain pure, then God will "receive" them, highlighting the blessings of covenantal relationship that flow from obedience.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse profoundly articulates the theological principle of divine holiness and humanity's call to reflect it. God, as the perfectly holy one, cannot commune intimately with impurity. Therefore, His people are commanded to be "set apart" (holy) for Him, echoing the foundational covenantal relationship established with Israel at Sinai (Leviticus 11:44-45). This separation is not merely external but involves an internal transformation that rejects the values and practices of a fallen world. The promise of "I will receive you" underscores God's unwavering desire for a deep, reciprocal relationship with His children, a relationship made possible by their commitment to purity and His gracious invitation. This reception is a foretaste of the full communion believers will experience in His presence.
Reflection and Application
Second Corinthians 6:17 remains a vital call to spiritual integrity for believers today, challenging us to critically examine the influences we allow into our lives. This command to "come out" and "be separate" is not a call to monastic isolation from society, but rather to a radical distinction in our values, ethics, and priorities. It compels us to evaluate our closest relationships, our entertainment choices, our business practices, and even our thought patterns, asking whether they align with God's holiness or compromise our witness and spiritual purity. True separation means cultivating a heart that is set apart for God, actively choosing to abstain from anything that defiles the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19). By embracing this call, we not only honor God but also position ourselves to experience the profound blessing of His intimate presence and reception, living out our identity as His beloved children in a world desperately in need of light.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "come out from among them" mean Christians should avoid all contact with non-Christians?
No, the command to "come out from among them" in 2 Corinthians 6:17 does not advocate for complete physical isolation from non-believers. Jesus Himself interacted with sinners and tax collectors (Matthew 9:10-13), and Paul encourages believers to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). The separation called for is primarily spiritual and moral. It means avoiding deep, binding partnerships (like marriage or business ventures) or intimate associations that could compromise one's faith, dilute one's spiritual convictions, or lead to participation in ungodly practices. It's about maintaining a distinct identity and purity of heart, not about abandoning the mission to share the gospel with the world.
What exactly does "touch not the unclean thing" refer to?
In 2 Corinthians 6:17, "touch not the unclean thing" refers to abstaining from anything that is morally or spiritually defiling in God's sight. This concept draws from Old Testament purity laws, where "unclean" could refer to ceremonial impurity, but in the New Testament, it extends primarily to moral and spiritual defilement. Given the Corinthian context, it likely includes participation in idolatrous feasts, sexual immorality, pagan worship practices, and any behavior that compromises Christian ethics or the sanctity of the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). It's a broad call to avoid anything that would contaminate one's spiritual walk or violate God's holy character.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Second Corinthians 6:17 finds its ultimate fulfillment and power in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of perfect holiness and the one through whom God "receives" us. We are called to "come out from among them" because Christ Himself was utterly separate from sin, though He entered our sinful world to redeem it (Hebrews 4:15). He touched the "unclean" (lepers, sinners) not to be defiled, but to make them clean, bearing our uncleanness on the cross so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the means by which we are cleansed from all impurity, enabling us to be truly "separate" and holy unto God. Our ability to obey this command is not by our own strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit, who indwells us as a result of Christ's work, transforming us into His likeness (Romans 8:9-11). Thus, the divine reception promised in this verse is ultimately a reception into the family of God through adoption in Christ (Galatians 4:4-7), making us co-heirs with Him and enabling us to live as God's holy children, set apart for His glory.