2 Corinthians 6:18
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
G1519
εἰς
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
πατέρα
a Father
G3962
πατέρα
a Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
5 of 16
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰς
G1519
εἰς
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
10 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
υἱοὺς
sons
G5207
υἱοὺς
sons
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
11 of 16
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
θυγατέρας
daughters
G2364
θυγατέρας
daughters
Strong's:
G2364
Word #:
13 of 16
a female child, or (by hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant)
λέγει
saith
G3004
λέγει
saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Cross References
Revelation 21:7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.John 1:12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:2 Samuel 7:14I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:Jeremiah 31:9They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.Romans 8:29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.Galatians 3:26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.Revelation 1:8I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.Isaiah 43:6I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;Ephesians 1:5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,Genesis 17:1And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Historical Context
Ancient Greco-Roman society was organized around patron-client relationships and household loyalties. Paul reframes Christian identity using family language: believers are adopted into God's household as sons and daughters of the Almighty. This provided both comfort (the omnipotent God is our Father) and challenge (family loyalty requires separation from competing allegiances).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise of being God's son or daughter motivate your willingness to separate from worldly entanglements?
- In what practical ways can you live as a child of 'the Lord Almighty'—trusting His power, honoring His name, enjoying His presence?
- How should your identity as God's adopted child affect your daily priorities, relationships, and decisions?
Analysis & Commentary
And will be a Father unto you (καὶ ἔσομαι ὑμῖν εἰς πατέρα, kai esomai hymin eis patera)—Patēr (father) represents the most intimate covenant relationship. God promises not merely to be sovereign Lord or distant Creator but tender Father. This fulfills messianic promises (2 Sam 7:14; Isa 43:6) and anticipates Jesus's teaching on the fatherhood of God (Matt 6:9; John 20:17). The future tense indicates the ongoing reality of this relationship for those who obey the call to separation.
And ye shall be my sons and daughters (καὶ ὑμεῖς ἔσεσθέ μοι εἰς υἱοὺς καὶ θυγατέρας, kai hymeis esesthe moi eis huious kai thygateras)—Huios (sons) and thygatēr (daughters) emphasizes the full inclusion of both genders in God's family—unusual in ancient patriarchal cultures that often emphasized sons exclusively. This equality recalls Galatians 3:28: in Christ there is neither male nor female. All believers enjoy full adoption rights and inheritance as God's children (Rom 8:14-17; Gal 4:4-7).
Saith the Lord Almighty (λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ, legei kyrios pantokratōr)—Pantokratōr means 'all-powerful, almighty, ruler of all' (used frequently in Revelation: 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22). This title, translating Hebrew יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת (Yahweh Tseva'ot, 'LORD of hosts'), emphasizes God's sovereign power to fulfill His promises and protect His children. The One commanding separation has both the authority to demand it and the power to sustain those who obey.
This climactic verse transforms the call to separation from negative prohibition into positive promise: separation from the world results in adoption into God's family. We leave lesser loves and false securities to gain the infinite privilege of being God's beloved children, with all the intimacy, provision, protection, and inheritance that entails.