2Cor 6:14-7:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Cor 6:14-7:1: 6:14–7:1 The connection between 6:13 and 7:2 has led many scholars to conclude that 6:14–7:1 is an inserted fragment from another letter (perhaps the one mentioned in 1 Cor 5:9 ). However, this section might just as well be a digression in Paul’s writing, a suitable challenge to the Corinthians to forsake their opposition to Paul and his message. Paul was anxious to see relationships restored; here, Paul draws a picture of believers in Christ forming a holy temple. Believers’ identity as the temple of God motivates the need for harmony among them as well as separation from the impurity of unbelieving attitudes and behaviors. Paul therefore draws the contrast between Christian and pagan morality with quotations from the Old Testament. 6:14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers: This instruction alludes to the Jewish prohibition of certain mixtures (Lev 19:19 ; Deut 22:10 ). Paul was probably referring to how the Corinthians had been involving themselves in idolatrous practices (see 1 Cor 8

Summary for 2Cor 6:14-7:1: 6:14–7:1 ^a The connection between 6:13 ^b and 7:2 ^c has led many scholars to conclude that 6:14–7:1 ^d is an inserted fragment from another letter (perhaps the one mentioned in 1 Cor 5:9 ^e). However, this section might just as well be a digression in Paul’s writing, a suitable challenge to the Corinthians to forsake their opposition to Paul and his message. Paul was anxious to see relationships restored; here, Paul draws a picture of believers in Christ forming a holy temple. Believers’ identity as the temple of God motivates the need for harmony among them as well as separation from the impurity of unbelieving attitudes and behaviors. Paul therefore draws the contrast between Christian and pagan morality with quotations from the Old Testament. 6:14 ^f Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers: This instruction alludes to the Jewish prohibition of certain mixtures (Lev 19:19 ^g; Deut 22:10 ^h). Paul was probably referring to how the Corinthians had been involving themselves in idolatrous practices (see 1 Cor 8–10 ⁱ; cp. 1 Cor 10:14-22 ^j).
6:15 ^k the devil: Greek Beliar. This Hebrew word means “worthless, good-for-nothing”; in the intertestamental period it came to be used as a name for Satan.
6:16 ^l Believers together are the temple of the living God, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and thus holy (1 Cor 3:16 ^m; 1 Pet 2:1-10 ⁿ).
6:18 ^o This quotation is from 2 Sam 7:14 ^p, though Paul adds and daughters (cp. Isa 43:6 ^q).

‏ 2 Corinthians 7:1

7:1 ^r Paul wanted the church to be a holy people, filled with God’s presence.

• because we fear God: We should be reverent in the presence of a holy God (see study note on 5:11).