The Pursuit of Holiness : Part 2
Paul begins this section with an emphatic command, “Stop becoming unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” The idea here is to become “mixed up” with them. Incidentally, the prohibition against using an ox and a donkey in the same yoke, Deuteronomy 22:10, is bookended by the prohibition of mixing seeds in the garden and two different fibers in a garment. I think that helps us understand better the idea of becoming too “mixed” with unbelievers. In the context of what was happening at Corinth, there were the factions in the church as well as the surrounding pagan idolatry.
To illustrate further what he means, Paul asks several rhetorical questions. Rhetorical questions are often used in the context of persuasive arguments in order to confront people and make them think. And they are often asked in such a way that the answer is clearly known, and the questioner isn’t really asking for a verbal response.
The first one is “what fellowship [or participation] does righteousness have with lawlessness?” Or we could ask it this way, “what do righteousness and lawlessness have in common?” They are opposites, they have nothing in common. The nature of Christ, which we have as His followers, is righteousness. The nature of Satan and unbelievers is lawlessness.
Next, “what communion does light have with darkness?” Or “what do light, and darkness have in common?” Here, the word is koinonia. This same word is used in First Corinthians 10:16 in the context of “the communion of the blood of Christ.” It is a sharing, a fellowship, a partnership. Light and darkness share no mutual characteristics.
And “what accord does Christ have with Belial?” The question is what harmony (symphonesis) exists between Christ and Belial? Belial is the transliteration of the Hebrew word for worthlessness and is applied to Satan. They have nothing in common, they can’t be harmonized. They are the heads of opposing forces and kingdoms.
Further, “what part does a believer have with an unbeliever?” What portion or share does a believer have with someone who actively disbelieves? A disbeliever attaches no value to Christ. An unbeliever may see Jesus as a good man, a teacher, and a moral model. Not so with a disbeliever, he is antagonistic toward Christ.
And finally, “what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” The idea here is a unity of composition, being made up of similar things. Of course, that’s ridiculous, the temple of God and idols have nothing in common!
You and I, as followers of Christ, are the temple of the living God! Paul cites Leviticus 26:11 and 12, “I will set Mytabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you.I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.” Remember, in the context of the old covenant God lived and walked among His people.
Now, God’s Holy Spirit resides in the heart of every believer. This is one of the major differences that resulted from Jesus’ fulfillment of the new covenant. And this reality of the Spirit dwelling in us is prominent in all of Paul’s writings.
Perhaps you noticed as we worked through this list of questions that they’re all very similar. They are, but there are subtle shades of difference in the meanings. Remember, I said earlier that rhetorical questions are designed to pique people’s curiosity and intellect, to make them think. The ability to think i...
