Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ 2 Corinthians

[Representative]

What does “unequally yoked” mean?

[jimwalton]

He is thinking of close relationships in which, unless both parties are true Christians, Christian harmony cannot be expected to flourish and Christian consistency cannot fail to be compromised. It is the union of incongruous and uncongenial elements or persons that is forbidden.

2 Cor. 6.14 is not specifically addressing the subject of marriage, but of the incongruity of believers being paired with unbelievers, in any variety of situations. We are left to interpret the ways in which that takes place, but I believe that marriage is one of them because marriage is one of the primary "fellowships" and "in common" relationships we have. If a believer has nothing in common with an unbeliever (6.15), how can two become one if they are different in kind? And since our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, how can we unite with someone whose body is not? Isn't that the mixing of temples (2 Cor. 6.16)?

Paul’s issue is not in Christians doing business with non-Christians, and not only with those who might be pulling in a different direction, but instead with people who would rob the cross of Christ of its power, who would mangle our relationship with God, and who would compromise our witness in the world. We can never be a “team” with such people.

Pertaining to busines dealings, he is not forbidding Christians from doing business with non-Christians. Instead, he is talking about Christians participating in dishonest, abusive, oppressive, or unfair business practices that would compromise his Christian integrity or witness. Paul certainly bought tent fabric and thread from people who weren’t Christians, and sold them to people who weren’t Christians, so that is not what is in view here. Paul has also already approved buying meat in the market that has been offered to idols. He’s not talking about tastes, pursuits, ventures or projects. Rather, Paul’s contrasts show he is not just talking about business dealings, political associations, or relationships with any non-believers. There’s a vast difference between breaking bread (association) and breaking faith (participation). Instead, he’s specifically referring to any alliance that brings a righteous person to a place of wickedness is what is being condemned.

What Paul's main point seems to be is that our relationships have great spiritual import. He seems to be speaking personally, and not abstractly. We tend to become like the people we respect and spend time with. We shape our lives according to the influences we choose to surround ourselves with. A passage like this is instructive to teach us that in our relationships we have to make sure that we are salt and light, and not the victims seduced into apostasy—that we enlighten others rather than being darkened by them, that we infuse others with godliness rather than be infected by their ungodliness. Therefore we must be ultra-wise about our alliances and commitments, only engaging in what will lead ourselves and others toward holiness.