Whats it mean to be unequally yoked?
Q: Whats it mean to be unequally yoked?
A: First let's Read 2 Corinthians 6:
And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— for He says,
“At a favorable time I listened to you,
And on a day of salvation I helped you.”
Behold, now is “a favorable time,” behold, now is “a day of salvation”— giving no reason for taking offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants/ministers of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in [b]mob attacks, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 7 in the word of truth, and in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; 9 as unknown and yet well known, as dying and yet behold, we are alive; as [c]punished and yet not put to death, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing and yet possessing all things.
11 Our mouth [d]has spoken freely to you, you Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. 12 You are not restrained [e]by us, but you are restrained in your own [f]affections. 13 Now in the same way in exchange—I am speaking as to children—open wide your hearts to us, you as well.
14 Do not be [g]mismatched with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? 15 Or what harmony does Christ have with [h]Belial, or [i]what does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
“I will dwell among them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
17 Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord.
“And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
18 And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
Footnotes
2 Corinthians 6:9 Or disciplined
2 Corinthians 6:11 Lit is open to you
2 Corinthians 6:12 Or in us
2 Corinthians 6:12 Lit inward parts
2 Corinthians 6:14 Lit unevenly yoked
2 Corinthians 6:15 Gr Beliar; a name of the devil and the antichrist
2 Corinthians 6:15 Lit what part has a believer with an unbeliever
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Let’s first analyze what this even means. This refers to a team of oxen where one is stronger and taller than the other, and the weaker or shorter ox walks more slowly. This causes the load to go in circles, and the oxen are unable to work together. Meaning they can’t preform their task or purpose.
Scripturally this also refers to partnerships between believers and unbelievers, such as in marriage, friendships or business. The idea is that believers are already equally yoked with Christ, and that adding someone who doesn't follow Christ will lead to serious conflict (and not result in a life of peace and joy).
Paul’s admonition in 2 Corinthians 6:14 is part of a larger discourse to the church at Corinth on the Christian life. He discouraged them from being in an unequal partnership with unbelievers because believers and unbelievers are opposites, just as light and darkness are opposites. They simply have nothing in common, just as Christ has nothing in common with Satan. The idea is that the pagan, wicked, unbelieving world is governed by the principles of Satan and that Christians are separated from the wicked, just as Christ was separate from all the methods, purposes, and plans of Satan and evil. He had no participation in them; He formed no union with them nor would, and so it should be with the followers of the one in relation to the followers of the other. Attempting to live a Christian life with a non-Christian foras an ally in any way will only cause us misery and greatly damage the cause of Christ (in our lives, and those who witness it from the outside).
This metaphor refers to the practice of yoking two animals together to pull a plow or cart. If the animals are of different sizes or strengths, the yoke becomes uneven, causing difficulty in working together effectively.
Do not enter into close relationships with those who do not share the same faith and values. Paul argues that such relationships can lead to conflicts and compromise, as the differing worldviews and priorities can create significant friction. He contrasts righteousness and lawlessness, light and darkness, to illustrate the fundamental differences between believers and unbelievers.
That is Not the only portion of Scripture that warns us of the rebellion and disaster of unequally yokeness. God through Scripture "commands us" to Not be unequally yoked to unbelievers. This also includes ensuring the ones who profess to be a believer "actually" is one by deeply vetting the person/people to ensure their life is producing the Fruit that proves theyre saved; which takes time and active examination.
If you are in one, you must immediately exit it. Unless you are already married to a person of the opposite birth sex than yours. You are stuck in that one and must show and live a life of grace towards the unbeliever because you are in a lifelong covenant marriage to that person (unless there is legitimate biblical authorization to divorce, tho God also hates divorce, so tread with caution - and professional biblical counseling - before proceeding).
Got Questions explains
Here is what a reputable pastor (America's Pastor) shared about this topic.
To be unequally yoked is to openly rebel in God's face [wickedly], and shows you do not know, love or obey Him. You need to get your life right if you profess to be a believer yet run after someone who is not a vetted solid believer.
Besides that or in clarity- you are sinning and desiring to live in sin. Sin is an assault on God. A crime against God. No true believer would disregard Scripture, God's Word and its authority over the life of a believer.
James 4:17
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
This is true of relationships of friendships, folk you date/court/marry, and business partnerships.
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Related
Unequally Yoked resources
