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The Call to Holy Separation in Christian Living

The Christian call to holy separation is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing a distinct way of life for believers in contrast to the surrounding world. This separation is not merely physical but primarily spiritual and moral, rooted in God's sanctifying work [9].

The concept of separation is explicitly stated in 2 Corinthians 6:17, which exhorts believers to "COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," and "DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN" [2, 5]. This passage, drawing from Isaiah 52:11, implies a divine promise of reception for those who heed this call [15]. The Torrey's Topical Textbook defines sanctification itself as "separation to the service of God" [9]. This separation is effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and it is achieved through Christ's atonement and the Word of God [9].

This separation manifests in various aspects of Christian living. For instance, believers are called to abstain from practices associated with idolatry and immorality, as instructed in Acts 15:29, which lists abstaining from things sacrificed to idols, blood, things strangled, and sexual immorality [6]. Matthew Henry, commenting on 2 Peter 3:11, connects the knowledge of Christ's second coming to an exhortation for purity and godliness, urging believers to depart from sin [13].

The apostle Paul addresses the practical implications of separation within marriage in 1 Corinthians 7. He clarifies that if an unbelieving spouse chooses to depart because of the believing spouse's faith, the Christian is not "under bondage" in such cases [1, 3]. John Gill interprets this as the unbelieving party separating "on account of religion, and in hatred to it," and if they insist on departure unless Christ is denied, the believer is not bound to hold them [16]. Similarly, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown explain that the believer is not bound to renounce their faith to retain an unbelieving spouse, nor are they bound not to separate if the unbeliever insists [14]. This guidance highlights that while Christians are called to peace, their commitment to Christ takes precedence over maintaining a marriage at the cost of their faith [1, 3].

Calvin emphasizes that believers, whose "conversation is in heaven," ought to lead a "heavenly life in this world" and be "separated" from those who "mind earthly things" [10]. He acknowledges that believers are "intermingled here with unbelievers and hypocrites," but this does not negate the call to spiritual distinctiveness [10]. The idea of being "set apart" is also seen in the calling of individuals like Paul, whom God separated for His purposes, as noted by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 1:15 [11]. This interpretation draws a contrast with the Hebrew term "pharash," from which "Pharisee" is derived, suggesting a separation by divine election rather than self-righteousness [11].

However, the concept of separation is not without nuance. John Gill, in his commentary on Jude 1:19, distinguishes between a commendable separation from "sinners openly profane" and a blameworthy separation "from the saints and people of God" [12]. While a child of God might temporarily leave the fellowship of saints, a total forsaking of them is not in line with the will of God [12]. The "communion of saints" is described as being with God, with saints in heaven, and with each other, marked by mutual prayer, exhortation, comfort, and sympathy [7]. This communion is maintained by faith, abiding in Christ, and obeying Him [4].

The Old Testament also contains imagery of separation, such as the "water of separation" used for ceremonial cleansing of those defiled by contact with a dead body (Numbers 19) [8]. This ritual foreshadows the spiritual cleansing and separation that believers experience through Christ. The call to holy separation, therefore, is a continuous process of being set apart for God's service, marked by purity, distinct moral conduct, and a heavenly orientation, even while living amidst the world [9, 10, 13].

Sources

  1. 1 Corinthians “Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace. -- 1 Corinthians 7:15”
  2. 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 6:17 (NASB) — "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.”
  3. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 7:15 (LITV) — But if the unbelieving one separates, let them be separated; the brother or the sister is not in bondage in such matters; but God has called us in peace.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Union With Christ — As Head of the Church -- Eph 1:22,23; 4:15,16; Col 1:18. Christ prayed that all saints might have -- Joh 17:21,23. Described as Christ being in us. -- Eph 3:17; Col 1:27. Our being in Christ. -- 2Co 12:2; 1Jo 5:20. Includes union with the Father -- Joh 17:21; 1Jo 2:24. Is of God -- 1Co 1:30. Maintained by Faith. -- Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17. Abiding in him. -- Joh 15:4,7. His word abiding in us. -- Joh 15:7; 1Jo 2:24; 2Jo 1:9. Feeding on him. -- Joh 6:56. Obeying him. -- 1Jo 3:24. The Holy Spirit witnesses -- 1Jo 3:24. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an ev”
  5. II Corinthians “II Corinthians 6:17 (LITV) — Because of this, "come out from among them" "and be separated," says the Lord, "and do not touch the unclean thing," and I will receive you. Isa. 52:11”
  6. Acts “that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.” -- Acts 15:29”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion of Saints — According to the prayer of Christ -- Joh 17:20,21. Is with God. -- 1Jo 1:3. Saints in heaven. -- Heb 12:22-24. Each other. -- Ga 2:9; 1Jo 1:3,7. God marks, with his approval -- Mal 3:16. Christ is present in -- Mt 18:20. In public and social worship -- Ps 34:3; 55:14; Ac 1:14; Heb 10:25. In the Lord's supper -- 1Co 10:17. In holy conversation -- Mal 3:16. In prayer for each other -- 2Co 1:11; Eph 6:18. In exhortation -- Col 3:16; Heb 10:25. In mutual comfort and edification -- 1Th 4:18; 5:11. In mutual sympathy and kindness -- Ro 12:15; Eph 4:32”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Water of separation — Used along with the ashes of a red heifer for the ceremonial cleansing of persons defiled by contact with a dead body (Num. 19).”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
  10. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 18.4: ought to lead a heavenly life in this world. “They mind earthly things: it is therefore befitting that we, whose conversation is in heaven, should be separated from them.” 202 202 “ Que nous soyons diuisez et separez d’auec eux ;” — “That we be divided and separated from them.” We are, it is true, intermingled here with unbelievers and hypocrites; nay more, the chaff has more of appearance in the granary of the Lord than wheat. Farther, we are exposed to the common inconveniences of this earthly life; we require, a”
  11. Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 1:15: separated--"set me apart": in the purposes of His electing love (compare Act 9:15; Act 22:14), in order to show in me His "pleasure," which is the farthest point that any can reach in inquiring the causes of his salvation. The actual "separating" or "setting apart" to the work marked out for him, is mentioned in Act 13:2; Rom 1:1. There is an allusion, perhaps, in the way of contrast, to the derivation of Pharisee from Hebrew, "pharash," "separated." I was once a so-called Pharisee or Separatist, but God had separated me to something far better. f”
  12. Jude (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jude 1:18: How that they told you that there should be mockers in the last time,.... See Gill on Pe2 3:3. . Jude 1:19 jde 1:19 jde 1:19 jde 1:19These be they who separate themselves,.... Not from sinners openly profane; such a separation is commendable, being according to the will and word of God, to the mind and practice of Christ, and which tends to the good of men, and to the glory of God; but from the saints and people of God; it is possible that a child of God may for a time leave the fellowship of the saints, but an entire and total forsaking of them, and of assembling wi”
  13. 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 3:11: The apostle, having instructed them in the doctrine of Christ's second coming, I. Takes occasion thence to exhort them to purity and godliness in their whole conversation: all the truths which are revealed in scripture should be improved for our advancement in practical godliness: this is the effect that knowledge must produce, or we are never the better for it. If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. Seeing all these things must be dissolved, how holy should we be, that are assured of it, departing from and dying to sin, that has so corrupted and”
  14. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 7:15: if . . . depart--that is, wishes for separation. Translate, "separateth himself": offended with her Christianity, and refusing to live with her unless she renounce it. brother or a sister is not under bondage--is not bound to renounce the faith for the sake of retaining her unbelieving husband [HAMMOND]. So Deu 13:6; Mat 10:35-37; Luk 14:26. The believer does not lie under the same obligation in the case of a union with an unbeliever, as in the case of one with a believer. In the former case he is not bound not to separate, if the unbeliever s”
  15. 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 6:17: Quoted from Isa 52:11, with the freedom of one inspired, who gives variations sanctioned by the Holy Spirit. be ye separate--"be separated" (Hos 4:17). touch not the unclean thing--rather, "anything unclean" (Co2 7:1; Mic 2:10). Touching is more polluting, as implying participation, than seeing. receive you--The Greek implies, "to myself"; as persons heretofore out of doors, but now admitted within (Co2 5:1-10). With this accords the clause, "Come out from among them," namely, so as to be received to me. So Eze 20:41, "I will accept you"; ”
  16. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 7:15: But if the unbelieving depart,.... If the unbelieving party, man or woman, separate themselves from the believing party on account of religion, and in hatred to it, and will not live with the believer unless Christ is denied, his Gospel abjured, and his ordinances and worship relinquished: let him depart; he or she, though not without making use of all proper means to retain them; but if, after all, they will go, unless such things are complied with as are unreasonable and sinful, they are not to be held, but let go; and the deserted person may sit down conte”
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