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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>How does Paul’s appeal in 2 Corinthians 6 conflict with other biblical commands to interact with non-believers (e.g., Luke 7:34, Acts 10)?</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/2_corinthians/6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmq/2_corinthians/6-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="index.html">Questions</a> > Home</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/berean/menu.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="is_belial_in_2_cor_6_15_historical_or_tradition.htm" title="Is Belial in 2 Cor 6:15 historical or tradition?">◄</a> How does 2 Cor 6 conflict with Luke 7, Acts 10? <a href="do_non-biblical_texts_confirm_2_cor_6_4-5.htm" title="Do non-Biblical texts confirm 2 Cor 6:4–5?">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="chap"><div class="vheading">How does Paul’s appeal in 2 Corinthians 6 conflict with other biblical commands to interact with non-believers (e.g., Luke 7:34, Acts 10)?</div><p class="que"><b>Overview of the Issue</b><p>Paul’s words in <a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/6.htm">2 Corinthians 6</a> have sometimes been interpreted as teaching complete separation from those who do not share the same faith. Yet the New Testament contains other passages—such as <a href="/luke/7-34.htm">Luke 7:34</a> and <a href="/bsb/acts/10.htm">Acts 10</a>—that describe believers’ engagement with people outside the faith. This entry explores Paul’s appeal in <a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/6.htm">2 Corinthians 6</a> and examines how it aligns with, rather than contradicts, Jesus’ actions and other biblical directives.<p><hr><p><b>Paul’s Call for Separation in <a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/6.htm">2 Corinthians 6</a></b><p>In <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14</a>, Paul writes: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” This phrase captures his exhortation that believers be mindful of the nature of their close partnerships. The immediate context focuses on spiritual and moral cooperation. Paul warns the Corinthian church against adopting the practices, worship, or values of those who reject the gospel.<p>Just a few verses later, Paul references the holiness of God’s people: “Come out from among them and be separate” (<a href="/2_corinthians/6-17.htm">2 Corinthians 6:17</a>). The emphasis is on preserving the integrity of faith, avoiding shared participation in sinful activities, and maintaining fidelity to God’s covenant.<p><hr><p><b>Jesus’ Association with Outsiders (<a href="/luke/7-34.htm">Luke 7:34</a>)</b><p>In <a href="/luke/7-34.htm">Luke 7:34</a>, Jesus is described as a friend of “tax collectors and sinners.” This passage highlights that He interacted with and even dined alongside those labeled as social or religious outcasts. He did so with a mission: to offer redemption and to call them to repentance.<p>The key difference between Jesus’ approach in Scripture and the scenario Paul addresses in <a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/6.htm">2 Corinthians 6</a> is the direction of influence. Jesus enters the lives of those outside the faith to encourage transformation, never compromising His message of truth. In contrast, Paul cautions against strong alliances or partnerships that would pull believers away from faithful devotion and moral purity.<p><hr><p><b>Peter’s Revelation in <a href="/bsb/acts/10.htm">Acts 10</a></b><p><a href="/bsb/acts/10.htm">Acts 10</a> recounts Peter’s vision and subsequent interaction with the Gentile Cornelius. Peter learns that “God does not show favoritism” (<a href="/acts/10-34.htm">Acts 10:34</a>) and that the gospel is meant for all peoples. This account led to the expansion of the early church’s mission beyond a strictly Jewish context.<p>Peter’s willingness to break previous social barriers does not undermine Paul’s call in <a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/6.htm">2 Corinthians 6</a>. While Peter crosses cultural and religious boundaries to share the gospel, Paul remains concerned with the spiritual ramifications of binding oneself to an unbeliever’s worldview. Both passages affirm outreach and evangelism but insist that believers remain faithful to God’s commands.<p><hr><p><b>Apparent Tension and Harmonization</b><p>1. <b>Purpose of Interaction</b>: Jesus and Peter demonstrate that believers are called to share the good news with those who are far from God. This purposeful engagement seeks redemptive transformation, not assimilation into ungodly practices.<p>2. <b>Nature of the Relationship</b>: Paul’s concern about being “unequally yoked” focuses on deep covenant-like partnerships (such as marriage, idolatrous worship, or binding agreements that compromise Christian convictions). This does not negate hospitality, friendship, or evangelism; instead, it warns against alliances that erode one’s fidelity to God.<p>3. <b>Influence vs. Compromise</b>: Scripture distinguishes between healthy influence (where believers remain strong and offer the truth) and detrimental compromise (where believers weaken principles to accommodate sin). Jesus models engagement with sinners without compromising truth, whereas Paul warns against entanglements that could lead believers astray.<p><hr><p><b>Practical Applications</b><p>1. <b>Evangelistic Relationships</b>: Believers can follow Jesus’ example of compassion, friendship, and hospitality toward all people. The goal is to welcome others while remaining clear in biblical convictions.<p>2. <b>Boundaries in Close Partnerships</b>: When considering long-term or binding relationships (business ventures, marriage, etc.), believers are cautioned to seek connections that honor God’s standards. This ensures one’s devotion to the Lord remains intact and uncorrupted.<p>3. <b>Christlike Influence</b>: Following Jesus’ model in <a href="/luke/7-34.htm">Luke 7:34</a> means believers go into the world to reach the lost. Yet following Paul’s caution in <a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14</a> ensures that this endeavor avoids embracing patterns that contradict the faith.<p><hr><p><b>Conclusion</b><p>Paul’s appeal in <a href="/bsb/2_corinthians/6.htm">2 Corinthians 6</a> underscores the importance of preserving spiritual integrity and holiness. His teachings do not negate the biblical encouragement to reach out to non-believers; rather, they define the boundaries that safeguard believers from the corrupting power of idolatry or immoral practices. <a href="/luke/7-34.htm">Luke 7:34</a> and <a href="/bsb/acts/10.htm">Acts 10</a> remind us that Christians are called to engage with those who do not share their faith, offering the hope of redemption. Harmonizing these passages reveals a consistent biblical thread: believers love, serve, and evangelize all people while remaining wholly devoted to God’s righteousness.</div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><br><br><a href="index.html">Bible Hub Questions and Answers</a><br><span class="p"><br /><br /></span></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="is_belial_in_2_cor_6_15_historical_or_tradition.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Is Belial in 2 Cor 6:15 historical or tradition?"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Is Belial in 2 Cor 6:15 historical or tradition?" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="do_non-biblical_texts_confirm_2_cor_6_4-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Do non-Biblical texts confirm 2 Cor 6:4–5?"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Do non-Biblical texts confirm 2 Cor 6:4–5?" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhchapnoad.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>