2 Corinthians6v14to7v1: BE NOT YOKED WITH UNBELIEVERS

Introduction. (Read the reference)

Many commentators consider that this is a strange passage to find at this juncture in Paul's letter. It seems to disrupt Paul's plea of 2Cor6v13: Open wide your hearts also that continues in 2Cor7v2: Make room for us in your hearts.

But we need to remember that Paul did not just face opposition from the legalistic "super-apostles" from Jerusalem but also from the liberals in Corinth who failed to break completely from paganism. Whereas one faction didn't believe Paul went far enough in persuading the Gentile converts to change their dietary habits another faction thought the apostle was being illiberal and legalistic for insisting on non-attendance at parties in pagan temples.

So at this point in his plea for acceptance and affection Paul addresses the issue that divided him from the liberal, permissive element in the Corinthian church. Consequentially it is entirely relevant to his plea for warmth and fellowship.

(B) The danger of misinterpreting the passage.

There are grave dangers inherent in the passage if it is taken out of context. This is true of so much of Paul's writing. Indeed many who understood the context of Paul's letters still managed to get the wrong end of the stick. Paul was NOT teaching when he made statements like: Therefore come out from them and be separate and: Let us purify ourselves, that:

(1) We should have nothing to do with non-Christians.

This is the attitude of the Exclusive Brethren who wont eat with unbelievers and some ultra-strict Protestants who insist on home schooling for their children.

One of the more unlovely characteristics of the Jews by the time of Christ was their unwillingness to got into a Gentile's house let alone eat with a Gentile. They certainly took seriously Isaiah's instruction: Therefore come out from them and be separate. Is52v11. Even Peter needed a heavenly vision before he was prepared to answer the call of Cornelius. See Acts10.

Paul had no qualms about mixing and eating with Gentile unbelievers. He was all things to all men to win some. In this he followed the example of his Master who socialised with enemy collaborators(publicans) and miscellaneous sinners.

(2) We should have nothing to do with Christians who differ from us in doctrine.

This is very much the attitude of many strict Protestant groups who glory in rallying to the call to be separate. I had a disagreement recently with an Australian lady over a matter of doctrine. She emailed to say that our Theological differences meant she would no longer be in contact. I replied: We could remain united in Christ. Her response: The only true unity is in the truth. The fact is 'The Truth' divides. So many different Protestant groups - hundreds and thousands of them - think they have 'The Truth'. It is the distinctive, unique 'Truth' of these denominations and factions that divides. If Christian cannot be united in Christ nothing will unite them and they will continue divided in disobedience to Jesus.

If Paul expected us to have no fellowship with Christians who differ from us he would have had nothing to do with the Corinthians. The differences between Paul and some of the members at Corinth were greater than those between Roman Catholics and Grace Baptists.

(3) We should show off our holiness by abstaining from 'worldly things'.

There are still legalistic Protestant groups who believe holiness consists of NOT smoking, drinking alcohol, gambling, swearing, wearing make-up, wearing revealing clothes, going to the cinema or theatre, possessing a TV or computer, playing games on Sunday and, if you are a Wee Free Presbyterian, singing hymns. If that is what it takes to be holy it would be pretty easy! I wouldn't like to be without my computer but as for the rest it would not be a great sacrifice to comply.

Equating holiness to compliance with a whole set of prohibitions gives rise to a nasty kind of legalism and a 21st century Phariseeism. The New Testament equates holiness with virtues like: honesty, courage, kindness, humility, helpfulness, generosity, gentleness, integrity and self-control. See exposition on Luke11v37to54.

(C) What Paul was warning against.

Paul was warning the Corinthians against making any concessions to pagan or worldly values that conflicted with Christian principles. The Corinthians should not stand shoulder to shoulder with pagans and thereby give credibility to their beliefs and practices. It would be as unlikely and unproductive partnership as an ox and an ass yoked together.

Paul considered that very significant differences should exist between Christians and pagans. He underlines his point by making a series of contrasts:

(1) What do righteousness and wickedness have in common? v14. A Christian is committed to righteousness and not wickedness. So Christians cannot participate in fraud, sharp business practice, policies motivated by greed and the excessive commitment to profit at all costs. I read a good and challenging instance of a Christian making a stand against popular culture:

Sometimes your convictions may have a positive effect on others. Sue and I knew a man in Chicago who worked for one of the early video game companies. He was a member of the church we attended there. You may recall the video game Pacman. He was one of the designers. Later his company came up with a proposal for a new game that was violent and they called him in to ask his advice. He told them that if they decided to produce it, he would have to resign. They respected his position and his expertise so much, they turned in a different direction. He knew that he could not use the talents God had given him to produce something that devalued life. That would be a mismatch. He knew he was the temple of the living God and that he was separated unto him.

(2) What fellowship can light have with darkness? There are limits on the friendship a Christian can have with a non-Christian. A believer has come into the light. He or she understands the Scriptures, loves Jesus, worships and serves him. The unbeliever remains in darkness about God's providential care, Jesus' saving work and the Holy Spirit's advocacy. There is so much the Christian cannot share with a non-Christian.

(3) What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? There will be disharmony between the Christian in the family of God and the unbeliever in the kingdom of Satan. From time to time very sharp differences occur. There are frequent conflicts of interest between a Christian wife and non-Christian husband. The husband might want to spend Sunday visiting family whereas the wife wants to attend her local church. The husband wants to take numerous weekend breaks while the wife wants to continue her work as a Sunday school teacher.

(4) What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? Now it must be confessed I have quite a lot in common with my non-Christian friends - a shared sense of humour, family loyalty, a love of nature, a love of sport, a competitive attitude to sport, cynicism, playfulness, an affectionate disposition ...... and so on. Where I differ from my non-Chrisitian friends is in my priorities. My priority is to serve Christ. I want to be of some use to him. This involves: self-denial, discipline, enduring hardships, putting others first and the like. The main priority of many unbelievers is personal freedom and happiness. Their own - or their families - interests come first.

(5) What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols. There is no agreement between the Christian and non-Christians about what should be worshipped. The Christian puts God first and worships Jesus. His is the name we love to hear and long to tell its worth! Non-Christians have other idols: wealth, possessions, a hobby, the family. Sadly a lot of people worship their favourite professional football team. An object less worthy of worship would be hard to find. In the 21st century the hardcore, fanatical fans of Liverpool, Newcastle and Man United are the true pagans.

(D) Practical implications for the Christian.

William Barclay deals with the costs to early Christians remaining true to the Faith and distinct from pagans in his commentary on Corinthians 1 and 2. We also need to be aware of some of the consequences for us today. So let us look at the implications for:

(1) Family life.

Paul made it clear that if two pagans were married and one converted to Christianity the marriage should continue unless the pagan partner deserted. Christianity did, however, cause problems in families:

    (a) A pagan husband might leave a Christian wife.

    (b) Pagan parents might disown children who converted to Christianity.

    (c) Above all, ill-will would arise when a Christian refused to attend family celebrations - like a wedding - in a pagan temple.

These all still apply for Christians who live in a society dominated by another religion - Islam, Hinduism or Buddhism.

Many situations arise in supposedly Christian countries where non-Christian children, for example, cause problems for Christian parents.

  • They organise family get-togethers on Sunday.

  • They visit on Sundays.

  • A son brings his girl friend home and wants to sleep with her.

  • A son is mad keen on sport and most fixtures are on Sunday.

It is dangerous to compromise! It should be possible to accommodate the family and still go to church somewhere twice on Sunday. A son should be told that your commitment to marriage means you cannot allow him to sleep with his girl friend in your home. He should know that! Most sports fixtures might be on Sunday - but there are still some on Saturdays - or other days of the week.

(2) Social and recreational life.

In the time of Paul a feast in a pagan temple was a social occasion. It was a jolly get-together of friends, family and neighbours. If you didn't attend you were the odd one out and missed out. The trouble was these feasts began and ended with the pouring of a libation - a cup of wine - to the gods. How could a Christian share in that?

I have missed out by not playing village cricket or veteran's hockey on a Sunday. They are very sociable occasions. When I gave up playing for my cricket club's first team on a Saturday I would love to have played for the Sunday side. But this would have conflicted with church worship - so I didn't.

The existence of so much sport on Sundays does mean that there is a conflict for the Christian between worshipping God and enjoying the social occasion of playing or watching a game. Some Christians enjoy the best of both worlds by going to church for a 9am service and spending the rest of Sunday as they see fit. I rather fear that spending the rest of Sunday as they see fit takes priority. On Sunday the main priority for believers should be Christian fellowship. The early church met together EVERY day!!

(3) Occupational life.

In the 1st century conversion to Christianity might limit the work a man did. Could a mason build a heathen shrine? Could a tailor make vestments for a pagan priest? Could a silversmith make images of a pagan god? Could a caterer provide a feast in a pagan temple? Could a merchant supply olive oil to pagan temples? Where do you draw the line?

A Christian craftsman would also miss out if he did not attend the feasts held in pagan temples for the guild he belonged to. Perhaps he would be expelled from his guild and lose its protection and benefits.

Today Christians in Britain are in great danger of losing their livelihoods if unwilling to:

    (a) Promote homosexuality as normal and acceptable. Some marriage registrars, sex therapists and foster parents have all lost their jobs already. Schoolteachers who feel unable to peddle the government line on gay sex might be the next to suffer discrimination.

    (b) Work on Sunday in order to attend church. It is very difficult to be a professional cricketer or footballer and put Christ first. It must be extremely difficult to be a chef, publican, retailer and put Christ first. I realise some jobs have to be done on Sunday - but many don't. The huge increase in Sunday working makes life very difficult for Christians.

    (c) Put the company or profession first.

    (d) Lie and cover up a mistake.

(E) The reward of living by Christian values.

God makes two linked promises to those who do not conform to the world but live to please him.

(1) People who honour God belong to him.

I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. v16. See Lev26v1and2.

There are some pupils a good teacher will be proud of - they do his teaching more than justice. Those pupils will feel honoured to have had a great teacher. There is a reciprocity of respect.

It is something when God says proudly of a man or women: he/she is one of MY people. There is little doubt that those whom God honours will also honour him. This truth is clearly seen in Leviticus where God is quoted as saying: "I broke the bars of your yoke, and enabled you to walk with heads held high." Lev26v13.

We also do well to remember the converse summarised by Jesus: "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." Mk8v38.

(2) God will be our father if we stand apart from unbelievers.

"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters," says the Lord Almighty. v18.

This is a rather inexact version of 2Sam7v14! The passage in Samuel is a prophesy about the coming Messiah: I will be his father and he shall be my son."

Jesus certainly showed his relationship to God by his obedience to him. So if we exhibit our allegiance to Jesus God will be our Father too.

It is wonderful to have God as our Father; to be able to rely on him for protection, provision and power.

(F) Conclusion.

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2Cor7v1.

Christians should be very strongly motivated - because of the people they are - to avoid compromising their witness and contaminating their lives by eschewing worldly values and practices.

One of the best examples I have come across of a man who perfected holiness out of reverence for God is Corrie ten Boon's father, the Haarlem watch mender. The life of this godly man makes reading Corrie ten Boon's book, 'In My Father's House,' an uplifting and challenging experience. Here is just one short extract:

The workshop opened every morning with prayer and Bible reading. If there were problems, we prayed over them together. Father practised what Paul advised: ' .... whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the gospel of Christ. Phil1:27. Philip's translation. See my exposition on Phil1v27.

ANY COMMENTS FOR JOHN REED: E-mail jfmreed@talktalk.net

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