Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Concept:The concept of "being separate" in the Bible refers to the call for believers to distinguish themselves from worldly practices, values, and influences that are contrary to God's will. This separation is not merely physical but spiritual and moral, emphasizing holiness, purity, and dedication to God.
Old Testament Foundations:The idea of separation is rooted in the Old Testament, where God called Israel to be a distinct nation, set apart for His purposes. In
Leviticus 20:26, God commands, "You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own." This separation involved adherence to the Law, which included dietary restrictions, ceremonial practices, and moral codes that distinguished Israel from surrounding nations.
New Testament Teachings:In the New Testament, the call to be separate is reiterated for believers in Christ. The Apostle Paul writes in
2 Corinthians 6:17, "Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." This passage emphasizes the need for Christians to avoid partnerships and associations that compromise their faith and witness.
Spiritual Separation:Being separate involves a spiritual distinction from the world.
Romans 12:2 instructs believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation is achieved through the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to live according to God's will rather than worldly patterns.
Moral and Ethical Separation:The call to separation also includes moral and ethical dimensions.
Ephesians 5:11 advises, "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." Christians are urged to live lives of integrity, avoiding sinful behaviors and practices that are prevalent in society.
Community and Fellowship:While being separate, Christians are also called to be part of a community of believers.
Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another." This fellowship provides support and accountability, helping believers maintain their distinctiveness in a secular world.
Purpose of Separation:The ultimate purpose of being separate is to glorify God and to be a witness to His holiness and love.
1 Peter 2:9 declares, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This separation is not isolation but a means to reflect God's character and to draw others to Him.
Challenges and Balance:Christians face the challenge of maintaining separation while engaging with the world to fulfill the Great Commission. Jesus Himself prayed for His disciples in
John 17:15-16, saying, "My prayer is not that You take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world." Believers are called to be in the world but not of it, striking a balance between separation and engagement.
Topical Bible Verses
2 Corinthians 6:17Why come out from among them, and be you separate, said the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
Topicalbible.orgRomans 8:29
For 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 brothers.
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Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
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Ezra 10:11
Now therefore make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
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Greek
2673. katargeo -- to render inoperative, abolish... b) I discharge, sever,
separate from. 2673 (from 2596 , " to a point," intensifying
691 , "inactive, idle") -- properly, idle , (" inoperative"); ie
being of
...Library
Souls Can be Recognised in theSeparate State, and are Immortal...
... us that by the participation of life the soul became alive; so that the soul, and
the life which it possesses, must be understood asbeing separate existences....
In what Sense we are to Leave the World
... Of our not coming out from among unholy men? Of notbeing separate from them,
but contracting or continuing a familiar intercourse with them?...
Concerning the Holy Trinity.
... universe, occupying [1489] all essences intact [1490] and extending beyond all things,
andbeing separate from all essence asbeing super-essential [1491] and...
Our Forefathers have Handed Down to us the Tradition, That, after...
... The Apostles therefore, as we have said,being about toseparate in order to preach
the Gospel, settled upon this sign or token of their agreement in the faith...
Psalm XLIII.
... Him deliver us from the deceitful and unjust man," let himseparate the wheat... Let
them not congratulate themselves [1290] onbeing heard; the devils were heard...
Proofs from the Plain Testimony of Moses, and of the Other...
... from the dead; understanding Christ as a distinctbeing, who continued as if He
were impassible, and Jesus, who suffered, asbeing altogetherseparate [from Him...
Argument. Saturus, in a vision, and PerpetuaBeing Carried by...
... Andbeing clothed, we entered and saw the boundless light, and heard the united... and
Aspasius the presbyter, a teacher, [9000] at the left hand,separate and sad...
The Title "Word" is to be Interpreted by the Same Method as the...
... And such an animated Word, notbeing aseparate entity from the Father,
and accordingly as it, having no subsistence. is not a Son...
The Attributes of Goodness and Justice Should not be Separated...
... determine the separation of your two Gods, regarding in theirseparate condition
one... goodness, the author [2855] of all things,"worthy ofbeing herself, too...
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit which we Receive Prepare us for...
... receive prepare us for incorruption, render us spiritual, andseparate us from... tending
towards perfection, and preparing us for incorruption,being little by...
Resources
What does the Bible say about being nosey? | GotQuestions.orgIs being gay a sin? Is it a sin to be gay? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the implications of God being infinite, unlimited, and unmeasurable? | GotQuestions.orgBeing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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