2 Corinthians 6:18

2 Corinthians 6:18 (KJV) concludes a powerful passage on the believer's relationship with God and the world, offering a profound promise of divine intimacy and identity.

Context

This verse serves as the culmination of Paul's urgent exhortation in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 against being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers. The apostle emphasizes the incompatibility of righteousness with unrighteousness, light with darkness, and Christ with Belial. Paul draws heavily on Old Testament themes of God's dwelling among His people and their call to separation and holiness (e.g., Leviticus 26:12, Isaiah 52:11). Verse 18 is presented as the glorious promise that accompanies obedience to this call for purity and distinction from the world.

Key Themes

• Divine Adoption and Sonship: The core message is God's gracious promise to receive believers into His own family. We are not merely servants or subjects, but are granted the privileged status of sons and daughters of God. This promise underscores a deep, personal, and loving relationship, establishing our identity in Christ.
• God's Faithfulness and Omnipotence: The title "saith the Lord Almighty" (Greek: Kyrios Pantokrator) is profoundly significant. Pantokrator means "all-ruling" or "omnipotent." This title, often found in the Old Testament and prominently in the Book of Revelation, emphasizes God's absolute power and authority, guaranteeing His ability to fulfill this grand promise of relationship and protection.
• Covenant Blessings: This verse echoes the covenant language of the Old Testament, where God promised to be Israel's God and they His people. Through Christ, this covenant relationship is extended to all who believe, offering profound spiritual blessings conditioned on a life of separation and holiness, as outlined in the preceding verses.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the Lord Almighty" translates the Greek Kyrios Pantokrator (Κύριος Παντοκράτωρ). The term Pantokrator literally means "all-powerful" or "all-sovereign." It is a majestic title for God, frequently used in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) and prominently featured in the Book of Revelation (e.g., Revelation 1:8). Its inclusion here underlines the absolute certainty and divine authority behind the promise of adoption and fellowship, emphasizing that the God who makes this promise is fully capable of bringing it to pass.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Corinthians 6:18 offers immense comfort and a clear call to action:

• Assurance of Identity: We are not orphans in the world but cherished children of God. This truth provides a secure foundation for our identity and worth, knowing we are loved and adopted by the King of the universe (1 John 3:1).
• Motivation for Holy Living: The promise of being God's sons and daughters is tied directly to the call for purity and separation from worldly defilement. This elevated status should inspire us to live lives worthy of our divine parentage, seeking to honor Him in all we do (2 Corinthians 7:1).
• Confidence in Prayer: Knowing God is our Father empowers us to approach Him with confidence, knowing He cares for us and hears our prayers (Matthew 6:9).

This verse reassures us that our commitment to walk apart from the world is met with the unparalleled blessing of an intimate, eternal relationship with the all-powerful God.