Unequally Yoked
2 Corinthians 6 

 “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial (ancient name of Satan meaning worthless one) or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols. For we are the temple of God…”  

This passage is fairly straightforward. However, I’m struggling this morning with fitting it into the context of this chapter. In other words, it seems to come out of nowhere without being easily connected with the previous verses. When this happens, I believe it is best to take it at its simplest meaning without forcing it too much into the context. 

Avoid the monk lifestyle  

Soooooo, we know it doesn’t mean to separate ourselves from unbelievers in a monastic type of lifestyle because a few verses earlier, Paul tells us we are ambassadors for Christ and God’s purpose for us is to make appeals to unbelievers on His behalf. We need to be present here in the world, living among unbelievers and using our influence to appeal to them. Therefore, these verses under consideration can’t be about physical separation from the people of this world.  

Relationships 

I believe the passage is teaching us about relationships, not total separation. These verses give guidance for the types of relationships that should be avoided. The descriptive relational words are:

• to be bound  
• to be in partnership,
• intimate fellowship,  
• intimate harmony 
• formal or legal agreements.

Intimate 

These descriptive words imply intimate relationships; partnerships in critical endeavors; relationships of the heart; and formal (or legal) agreements or contracts. So, when this passage is quoted to support some kind of monastic living or communal living to keep oneself completely separate from the world, it is being used incorrectly. But instead, it seems to refer to partnership endeavors of formal projects, full-scale missions, business formation, real estate or investment transactions, exclusive dating & marriage, etc.  

Yoked 

The term “not being bound together” is a picture of two separate animals pulling the same cart. A cow and a horse in an open field doesn’t cause conflict. But a cow and a horse being yoked together to pull the same cart is going to be trouble. This is unequally yoked. 

Walking balance beam 

Interact, love and care for unbelievers every day and always without arrogance or condescension. Show abundant care, kindness, grace and sacrificial love to all. But choose to enter into formal agreements of intimacy or business with like-minded believers only. This I believe is the application of this passage. Pretty thought provoking, isn’t it. 

Speech seasoned with grace 

Lord, give us grace and wisdom to determine what level of relationships we develop with those who don’t share our faith. Help us walk the delicate balance of caring and loving all with grace and humility versus having intimate and contractual relationships. Help us to follow Paul’s guidance in Colossian 4:5.  

“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Amen!