“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 ESV).
To effectively communicate the idea of being “unequally yoked” to contemporary audiences, modern Biblical translations have sought to express this concept in a variety of ways…
“Do not keep company with those who have not faith…” (BBE).
“Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers…” (GW).
“Do not become partners with those who do not believe…” (NET).
“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers…” (NLT).
“Do not be mismatched with unbelievers…” (HCSB).
This portion of Scripture has served as a definitive guide for dating and marriage relationships for untold numbers of God’s people- and those who disregard this prohibition do so at great risk.
You see, a Christian who is “yoked” together with an unbeliever cannot expect to receive much (if any) spiritual support from his or her spouse. At best, their relationship will never reach its full potential. At worst, the two partners may find themselves pulling in different directions in regard to the choices, decisions, and activities of daily life. As many will attest, two people who are yoked together in such a marriage may find that relationship to be unsustainable.
However, two sources expand this idea beyond its traditional application to marriage…
“Paul urges believers to not ‘team up,’ that is, form partnerships with unbelievers because this might weaken their Christian commitment, integrity, or standards. It would be a mismatch. Earlier, Paul had explained that this did not mean isolating oneself from unbelievers (see 1Co_5:9-10). Paul even urges Christians to stay with their unbelieving spouses (1Co_7:12-13). He wanted believers to be active in their witness for Christ to unbelievers but not lock themselves into personal or business relationships that could cause them to compromise their faith. Believers should do everything in their power to avoid situations that could force them to divide their loyalties.” (1)
“The prohibition against being yoked together with unbelievers must be considered in situations where significant control over one’s actions would be willingly yielded to an unbeliever through a voluntary partnership or association. Neither Paul nor the rest of the NT tells us to have no association at all with unbelievers (Mark 2:15–17; 1 Cor. 5:9, 10; 7:12–16; 1 Pet. 3:1–6). But we are told not to be “yoked together” with them in such a way that they significantly influence the direction and outcome of our moral decisions and spiritual activities.” (2)
(1) Life Application Study Bible, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved. Life Application® is a registered trademark of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
(2) Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2015). The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (p. 2059). Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust.