2 Corinthians 6:18
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:18
This verse completes the prophet-like promise imagery with a familial, intimate dimension: God as Father. The Ps–like declaration that God will be a Father to those who belong to Him emphasizes His care, authority, and protective relationship. In a culture where many gods were distant, conditional, or transactional, Paul grounds God’s relation to believers in a personal, inclusive, nurturing fatherhood. The language of adoption and family identity would have resonated: to be God’s people is to be under His fatherly care, with all the privileges and responsibilities that implies. This also reassures a community feeling of belonging amidst the pressures of the surrounding culture. It reaffirms the continuity of God’s faithful promises from the Old Covenant into the New Covenant. The overarching motif is intimate relationship: God not only saves but also embraces, disciplines, and provisions as Father.
Key theological themes include the fatherhood of God, divine adoption, and communal identity as kin in Christ. It anchors soteriology (salvation) in relational terms: belonging to God means entering into a family relationship marked by steadfast love and covenant faithfulness. It also shapes ecclesiology: believers together form a family under God’s leadership, with God as Father who knows and provides for His children. The verse highlights God’s initiative in drawing people to Himself and shaping their identity through that relationship.
Practically, reflect on your sense of belonging: do you experience God as Father who cares for you daily? If you’re a parent, model a God-centered fathering or mothering, showing unconditional love, correction, and provision. If you’re struggling with abandonment or fear, lean into this truth: you have a Father who sees you, hears you, and will never leave you. In community life, cultivate a family atmosphere within the church where people are known, cherished, and held to accountability in love. Let this Father-daughter/son language shape your prayer life: address God with intimacy, trust His guidance, and imitate His unrelenting faithfulness in your relationships.
Cross-References: Romans 8:14-16; Galatians 4:6-7; Psalm 103:13; Ephesians 3:14-15; Hebrews 12:7-11