“And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?”
The full verse · 2 Corinthians 6:15 · KJV
hath ? hath he that an ?
Asked by
Paul: the apostle appealing to the Corinthians as a father to his children (2 Corinthians 6:13)
Asked to
Corinthians: the church of God at Corinth, whom Paul addresses as his children and urges to open their hearts to him (2 Corinthians 6:11-13)
The Scene
Paul has just told the Corinthians, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers," and asked what fellowship righteousness has with unrighteousness, or light with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionPaul keeps building his case with more questions. This time he names the persons behind the two sides. Christ stands on one side and Belial on the other. Then he brings it down to people: the one who believes and the one who does not. The first question shows how deep the divide runs, all the way to Christ and the evil one. The second asks what share or portion a believer and an unbeliever can have in common at the deepest level. Gill explains that the believer's portion is God, Christ, and an eternal inheritance, something the unbeliever does not share.
The Response
What Scripture recordsThe answer is plain: there is no concord and no shared portion. Paul adds one more question about the temple of God and idols, then states the reason, "for ye are the temple of the living God" (2 Corinthians 6:16). He follows with God's call, "come out from among them, and be ye separate," and God's promise, "ye shall be my sons and daughters" (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
Historical Context
The world behind the words"Belial" comes from a Hebrew word, beliyaal, which Barnes says means "without profit; worthlessness; wickedness." Barnes adds, "It is here evidently applied to Satan." Some Greek copies spell the name Beliar, as Barnes and Gill both note. "Concord" translates symphonesis, a sounding together or harmony; Barnes compares it to musical instruments that only produce clashing sounds when played together. "Infidel" in the KJV simply means an unbeliever, the same Greek word used in 2 Corinthians 6:14.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis question shows that the line between belief and unbelief is not just a difference of opinion. It goes back to two lords. Matthew Henry writes that "Christ and Belial are contrary one to the other," with opposite interests and aims, so there can be no real agreement between them. A believer belongs to Christ, so a believer's deepest loyalties cannot be shared with what opposes Him.
The word "part" also points to what believers have been given. Gill says the believer's part is God, Christ, and an eternal inheritance. Paul's warning is not about looking down on others. It is about guarding the treasure God has given and not trading it for a partnership that has no share in it.
Look Closer
What reason does Paul give right after these questions?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Lord Jesus, I belong to You; where am I trying to share my heart with something that has no part in You?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- What does it mean to you that your "part" or portion is in Christ? How might that change the way you choose close partnerships?
- Talk about a friendship with someone outside the faith that stayed loving without pulling you away from Christ. What made that possible?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
You belong to Christ. That is the root of Paul's warning. Because your life is joined to Him, you cannot also give your deepest loyalty to what stands against Him.
When you weigh a close partnership, ask what each side truly shares. Common interests are good, but the deepest bond a believer has is with Christ.
This is not a reason to treat unbelievers as enemies. Paul's contrast is between Christ and Belial, not between you and your neighbor. Love people well, and keep your heart's allegiance with Christ. Scripture's own application: 2 Corinthians 7:1
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?”
“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?”
“How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?”
“Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?”