11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide to you. 12 Our affection for you is not restricted, but you are restricted in your affections for us. 13 Now as a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts to us also.

14 Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar? Or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? 16 And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, “I will live in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 Therefore “come out from their midst, and be separate,” says the Lord, “and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the All-Powerful Lord.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Mercy Saw

This passage reminds me of our focus on holiness throughout this year. Before Paul cautions the Corinthians, he reminds them that he cares deeply for them. His exhortation to holiness flows out of his love for them, and holiness is always a response to God’s grace shown to us.

Verse 14 is often used to discourage intimate relationships like marriage between Christians and non-Christians. But reading the verse in context, it is a broader call for Christians to be holy. In verses 16-18, Paul draws on the Old Testament image of God’s people in exile in Babylon being called to leave – not just to come out from Babylon physically, but to leave behind the ungodly, worldly life of Babylon, to be God’s distinct people. Christian believers have the same high calling. We have been made the ‘temple of the living God’ (v16), so God calls us to separate from any unclean thing. It's humbling that the 'All-Powerful Lord' himself would choose us to be his sons and daughters. Paul reminds the Corinthians to live out that reality of who they now are – people of righteousness, of light, and belonging to Christ.

I find it hard to be ‘in the world but not of the world’ – to find the balance between being distinct and separate from sin, and still engaging with non-Christian friends and colleagues. As much as I’d wish otherwise, there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ rule with such relationships. It requires ongoing prayer and discernment, including inviting wisdom from other Christians. One helpful guide may be to consider the NIV’s translation of ‘partners’ in verse 14 as ‘yoked together with unbelievers.’ It’s the image of two oxen joined together at the neck and moving in the same direction. A question I’ve often asked myself is whether the relationships I’ve formed are ones where I am leading them towards Christ, or whether I’m being pulled the other way towards sin. There have been moments where I’ve chosen to pull back from friendships when I’ve noticed myself being overly influenced by worldly values or desensitised and drawn towards sin. Sometimes making that decision may even have financial consequences, if we realise a business partnership will make us compromise our obedience to Christ.

Finally, holiness is a team effort. As God’s people, let’s keep reminding each other to grow to be who we are – the holy temple of the living God.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mercy is a member of our Fairfield Morning congregation.