2 Corinthians 6:15
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
Original Language Analysis
τίς
what
G5101
τίς
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
1 of 12
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
πρὸς
with
G4314
πρὸς
with
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
5 of 12
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τίς
what
G5101
τίς
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
8 of 12
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
μερὶς
part
G3310
μερὶς
part
Strong's:
G3310
Word #:
9 of 12
a portion, i.e., province, share or (abstractly) participation
πιστῷ
hath he that believeth
G4103
πιστῷ
hath he that believeth
Strong's:
G4103
Word #:
10 of 12
objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful
Historical Context
Belial appears in Jewish apocalyptic literature (Dead Sea Scrolls, Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs) as a leader of demonic forces opposing God. Paul uses this familiar Jewish concept to express absolute spiritual antithesis. The Corinthians' tolerance of pagan entanglements amounted to attempting harmony between Christ and Satan—spiritual adultery against their covenant Lord.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that unequal yoking attempts 'concord between Christ and Belial' help you see the spiritual stakes of compromising partnerships?
- In what areas of life might you be trying to maintain 'fellowship' between your faith and practices fundamentally opposed to Christ?
- How does the believer/unbeliever distinction affect your closest relationships, especially regarding marriage, business, or ministry partnerships?
Analysis & Commentary
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? (τίς δὲ συμφώνησις Χριστῷ πρὸς Βελίαρ; tis de symphōnēsis Christō pros Beliar?)—Symphōnēsis means harmony, agreement, or concord (root of 'symphony'). Beliar (Hebrew בְּלִיַּעַל, beliya'al, 'worthlessness' or 'wickedness') appears in the Old Testament for wicked or lawless people (Deut 13:13; Judg 19:22; 1 Sam 2:12). By New Testament times it became a name for Satan or demonic powers. Paul personifies ultimate spiritual antithesis: Christ versus Satan. The answer: zero concord, absolute incompatibility.
Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (ἢ τίς μερὶς πιστῷ μετὰ ἀπίστου; ē tis meris pistō meta apistou?)—Meris means share, portion, or part—what they have in common or can share together. Pistos (believer, faithful one) versus apistos (unbeliever, unfaithful one) represents the fundamental divide of humanity: those who trust Christ and those who don't. In ultimate spiritual realities, they have no common ground, no shared inheritance, no mutual spiritual life.
Paul escalates from abstract concepts (righteousness/unrighteousness, light/darkness) to personal embodiments (Christ/Satan, believer/unbeliever). This isn't merely philosophical incompatibility but personal, relational impossibility. Attempting to unite opposites doesn't create synthesis but compromise—the holy is polluted, not the profane sanctified, when wrongly mixed.