2 Corinthians 6:15

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Corinthians 6:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever?
2 Corinthians 6:15 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Corinthians 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever?

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And what concord hath Christ with Belial? etc..] The word “Belial” is an Hebrew word, and is only used in this place in the New Testament, but often in the Old; this word is differently read and pronounced, some copies read it “Beliar”, and accordingly in the Ethiopic version it is “Belhor”, and by Jerom read f57 Belvir”; but he observes, that it is more rightly called Belial”: in some copies it is “Belias”, and so Tertullian f58 read it; and Jerom f59 says, that most corruptly read it “Belias”, for “Belial”: some derive it from ylb, “Beli”, and hl[, “Alah”, and signifies “without ascent”; one in a very low condition, of low life, that never rises up, and comes to any thing; to which…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Belial--Hebrew, "worthlessness, unprofitableness, wickedness." As Satan is opposed to God, and Antichrist to Christ; Belial being here opposed to Christ, must denounce all manner of Antichristian uncleanness [BENGEL]. he that believeth with an infidel--Translate, "a believer with an unbeliever."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And what concord - (συμφώνησις sumphōnēsis). Sympathy, unison. This word refers properly to the unison or harmony produced by musical instruments, where there is a chord. What accordance, what unison is there; what strings are there which being struck will produce a chord or harmony? The idea is, then, there is as much that is discordant between Christ and Belial as there is between instruments of music that produce only discordant and jarring sounds. Hath Christ - What is there in common between Christ and Belial, implying that Christians are governed by the principles, and that they follow the example of Christ. Belial - Βελίαλ Belial or Βελίαρ Beliar, as as it is found in some of the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“What concord hath Christ - Whom ye serve. With Belial - To whom they belong. 2 Corinthians 6:16”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:15 the devil: Greek Beliar. This Hebrew word means “worthless, good-for-nothing”; in the intertestamental period it came to be used as a name for Satan.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“what concord: Sa1 5:2-4; Kg1 18:21; Co1 10:20, Co1 10:21 or: Ezr 4:3; Mar 16:16; Act 8:20; Jo1 5:11-13 an: Ti1 5:8 2 Corinthians 6:16”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification