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They "separate themselves" from sound faith by following corrupted speculations. They "separate themselves" from good works, inasmuch as they quit that faith which is the only genuine source of these works, and go astray after the miserable delusions of licentious indulgences. And in thus abandoning equally the right belief and the right conduct, they virtually "separate themselves" from the true Church. However they may still wear the name of Christian, they have no communion with Christ. In a word, they are "separatists" owing to their being "sensualists." They love the indulgence of evil passions; and hence they hate the sacred influence that would restrain them. They are attached by habits or carelessness, of folly, or of sordid pursuits, to a life of irreligion; and hence they remain at a distance from the holy power that would out down all such ties, and introduce them to the habits of a new course. The faith of the gospel is too pure for them to adopt; and therefore if they assume the profession of its name, they must hold its principles under some corrupted form. The practice of the gospel is too pure for them to follow; and therefore if they still pretend to a compliance with its requirements, they comply under many abatements; and in fact do it under those mitigations to the strictness of duty, which actually amount to a dereliction of the Christian life. They "separate themselves" from the faith; because in practice they are "sensual." The root of all the evil, however, is their "not having the Spirit."

(W. Muir, D. D.)

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KJV: These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

WEB: These are they who cause divisions, and are sensual, not having the Spirit.