Die sosiale en praktiese implikasies van 2 Korintiërs 6:14 vir Christene in Suid-Afrika

Abstract

The social and practical implications of 2 Corinthians 6:14 for Christians in South Africa

The prohibition in 1 Corinthians not to be mismated with unbelievers is part of the metaphoric language by which Paul explains a principle for relations between believers and unbelievers. Evidence drawn from a grammatical and thought-structure analysis of the text as well as evidence drawn from its socio-historical context makes it clear that this prohibition is applicable to a variety of relations, especially marriage relations, labour and business relations, religious relations and even political relations. The prohibition should not lead Christians into an ascetic lifestyle, but should rather exhort them to establish such relationships with unbelievers that their own holiness as body of Christ will remain untouched. In all relations believers should refrain from taking any other yoke upon themselves than the yoke of our Lord Jesus. Finally, all relations with unbelievers should be upheld with the missionary purpose of bringing such unbelievers to the faith of the Lord.