Useful Bible Studies > 2 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 6
God is present in the lives of his people. That is not just an idea, but an absolute reality. He has made their spirits his home; he lives in them.
That is an astonishing statement. This is the same God who created heaven and earth by the power of his word. His home is higher than the heavens; but also with his humble people*. They are the people who truly respect God; with willing hearts, they obey him.
If that were merely Paul’s idea, we could not believe it. So, Paul reminds us of God’s promises about this matter*. We know that we can trust all of God’s promises completely*.
In these verses, Paul does not simply repeat God’s words from elsewhere in the Bible. Rather, these words match what God has said in the rest of the Bible. Some of these words clearly come from particular Bible passages. It may be that God gave some of the words to Paul in a prophecy (a message from God). Paul understood the importance of prophecies*. There were occasions in Paul’s life when God spoke directly to him*.
2 Corinthians 6:16 is similar to Leviticus 26:11-12. That passage gives promises to God’s people, Israel, if they obey God. God will place his home among them and he will walk among them. He will be their God, and they will truly be his people. Most of Corinth’s Christians were not from Israel; but God had joined them with his loyal people from Israel*. Therefore, the promise was for them, too. Because of Christ’s death, they now had the reality of this promise in their lives*.
God’s house is holy. Therefore God’s people, in whom he lives, are holy*. So, they should always live in a manner that pleases God*.
Next part: How God’s people should separate themselves (6.17)
* See complete article for these Bible references.
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© 2016, Keith Simons.