Paul uses strong language when addressing the Corinthians facing a common situation — when a Christian marries a non-Christian. What does it mean to be unequally yoked? And why is this so serious?
What Does This Verse Say?
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)
The context of 2 Corinthians chapter 6 is crucial for understanding the content and themes of this passage. The book of 2 Corinthians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Corinth. It addresses issues of righteous living, separation from sinful influences, and the challenges faced in the ministry. The chapter emphasizes the urgency of responding to God's grace and maintaining a distinct and holy lifestyle in the midst of a challenging and sometimes hostile environment.
What Does it Mean to Be Yoked?
A yoke or zugos is “a heavy burden, comparable to the heavy yokes resting on the bullocks’ necks; a balance, pair of scales.” The Greek used in 2 Corinthians 6:14 is heterozugeó means “unequally yoked.”
Christ’s word zugos is found in Matthew 11:28-30 where he invites his listeners to “come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Paul is explaining that when one is “yoked” to a partner, this means that two people should equally share the burdens of life and the purpose of their calling in Christ to glorify God. Their work will be light even though there will still be toil because they will be striving to go in the same direction, joyfully burdened for Christ. Their burden will be light because their equal yoke will bring peace and rest.
The Meaning of 'Unequally Yoked' in Context
A yoke conveys the idea of two bulls joined to the task of pulling a plow, but they are not well matched. They are unable to pull the plow in a straight line. This is what it looks like when one partner follows Christ, and the other does not.
Many Christians want to apply 2 Corinthians 6:14 to a marriage relationship but Paul doesn't limit it to just the union of marriage. As Warren Wiersbe points out: "God’s desires for His people are seen in these words. He wants us to share with each other (fellowship) and have in common (communion) the blessings of the Christian life. He wants us to enjoy harmony and agreement as we live and work together. When we try to walk with the world and with the Lord at the same time, we break this spiritual fellowship and create discord and division. Paul saw believers and unbelievers in stark contrast to each other: righteousness—unrighteousness, light— darkness, Christ—Belial (Satan), belief—infidelity (unbelief), God’s temple—idols. How could you possibly bring these opposites together? The very nature of the Christian demands that he be separated from that which is unholy. When a saved person marries an unsaved partner, it sets up an impossible situation; and the same thing applies to business partnerships and religious “fellowship.”"
“It’s always important to ask ourselves — in every area of life — how a believer can have any kind of partnership with an unbeliever. This is particularly true in marriage. An unbeliever doesn’t follow the Lord [...] so everything else in their life is an idol. Including their spouse.”
When one decides to follow Christ, to the exclusion of anything and anyone else means that one’s spouse is not the center of his or her world. When one decides to follow Christ, he or she yields to Him first, and His Holy Spirit provides direction.
Generally, unbelievers prefer to follow their own directions. This can cause frustration, friction, anger, and resentment. “How can you follow a Master who demands absolute allegiance if you choose to become ‘one flesh’ (Genesis 2:24) with a person who ignores His truth?” (Ibid.). Whether it’s a romantic relationship, intimate friendship, or a business partnership, such compromise negatively affects your intimacy with God. When you become "unequally yoked" and align yourself with those whose beliefs and lives are far from God, you can distance yourself from God.
Possible Consequences of Being 'Unequally Yoked'
To be unequally yoked means two will be living life in opposite directions, so the plow cannot go in a straight line. There can be no peace, no rest. The work is hard as a result, and the yoke is heavy. Paul’s contrasts of light with dark and lawfulness with lawlessness evoke the painful division potentially inherent to a marriage like this one.
Marriage between a Christian and a non-Christian will probably lead to a fracture of some kind. The marriage might break up because the two parties live according to different worldviews. A ripple effect is set in motion affecting children, friends, and extended family. Alternatively, the influence of a non-believer could fracture the relationship between God and the believing spouse.
Paul also addressed the possibility that a believing spouse might influence the wife or husband to consider the gospel. Where one spouse was converted when they were already together, he said the two who are unequally yoked should stay together for “the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband” (1 Corinthians 7:14). There is a chance that a praying wife who lives with integrity in front of her husband (or the other way around) as a Christian could win him over for the Lord. More accurately, God would win over the spouse and invite the husband or wife to have a part in his saving work.
As mentioned previously, being unequally yoked can also happen in business settings. A Christian who enters into a business partnership with a non-believer can face problematic outcomes because differing world views and morals. The daily business decisions made within such a partnership will inevitably reflect the perspective of one partner over the other. In order for the partnership to function, either one of the partners would need to compromise their moral principles and align more closely with the other's worldview. Typically, it is the believer who feels pressured to compromise their Christian values for the sake of financial gain and business growth.
A Caveat about Yokes
Ensuring that two parties are equally yoked goes beyond establishing that each one is a church-goer. A Christian is one who follows Christ. Couples benefit from taking time to learn whether their boyfriend/girlfriend really follows Jesus or not. Business partners would benefit from taking time to get to know each others worldviews and morals - what character and integrity will they share?
Culture today features many individuals who would call themselves “Christian” who, in fact, believe all roads lead to God; that everyone is good; that God is a universal energy, not a person; that Jesus is not God’s Son; or that the Bible needs to be updated for the 21st century.
No person is perfect, but a person’s life should testify to his beliefs, not merely his words about himself. This is why one should never rush into marriage or simply follow his or her feelings to the altar.
Grace for the 'Unequally Yoked' in Marriage
If you are contemplating marriage with someone who does not know and love Jesus, then think very hard about what the future will hold. Allow God to reason with you. Speak to your pastor or church counselor.
You are both worth more than a hasty decision based upon feelings alone. If, however, you find yourself married to someone who does not believe in the resurrected Jesus Christ, remember that God is in control of this situation.
His love for you does not change; he is the one who redeems, whether he redeems and resurrects your spouse’s heart, or you find your own love and need for God growing stronger because of the difficulty you face. Trust him to bring about renewal, and trust that the form renewal takes will glorify him and be good for you, even if your spouse never gives his heart to Jesus.
For further reading:
What Is the Definition of a Biblical Marriage?
How Can I Pray for My Marriage?
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