The question asked by the reader is very practical because how one lives the Christian life is affected by all relationships one has, especially the relationship with one’s spouse. It seems the relationships the Christians in Corinth were developing caused Paul to be concerned. To properly answer the reader’s question, look at the full context.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17 Paul reminded them that those who were in Christ become “a new creature; the old things passed away behold, new things have come.” He went on to explain, “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (5:18). Beginning with the sixth chapter he urged them, “And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (v1). The grace God gave them would be in vain if they entangled themselves with sinful relationships, which he is going to discuss at the end of chapter six. He uses himself as an example of his dedication to God to motivate them to be dedicated God (vs. 2-13). He pleads with them “as to children – open wide to us also” (v. 13).
Examining Our Text in Several Versions: “Do not be bound together with unbelievers, for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14 NASB95). Notice the phrase, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers.” That forbids Christians from being bound to unbelievers (non-Christians) in any relationship. The NIV says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.” The same message as is conveyed in the NASB.
It is believed by this writer that both of those versions do not accurately translate 6:14 from the Greek language. The Greek word which is being translated “bound together” or “yoked together” is heterozugountes – zugous means “yoke” and heteros means “other of a different kind.” Hence, the meaning is “don’t be yoked with a different kind” (of believer) or you will be “unequally yoked.” Several translations verify this writer’s translation by using the phrase, “unequally yoked” (KJV, NKJV, ASV, ESV).
There is a big difference in “not being yoked” and “not being unequally yoked.” “Not being yoked” means that one cannot enter into any kind of relationship with an unbeliever, whether it is marriage or business or even social and service clubs. “Not being unequally yoked” means that you can enter into a relationship as long as the believer is not hindered or limited in his or her responsibilities to Christ. Therefore, the conclusion is, this verse does not forbid a Christian from marrying a non-Christian, unless that relationship prevents the Christian from fulfilling his or her responsibilities to Christ.
The language Paul uses about being unequally yoke comes from the Old Testament where God forbade unequal yoking. “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together” (Deuteronomy 22:10). Similar teaching is also found in Leviticus 19:19.
Other Biblical Texts Dealing with Marriage Between a Christian and a Non-Christian
Paul, the same writer of Second Corinthians, also spoke about marriages between Christians and non-Christians in the first letter written to them. He said, “If any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away” (7:12-13). Here are two examples, one a Christian man and one a Christian woman, married to non-Christians. They are told to continue in that marriage relationship.
Peter also addresses a marriage between a Christian and a non-Christian. In his message he is dealing with a woman who is a Christian, married to a non-Christian. He said, “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives” (I Peter 3:1). The message is that a Christian woman may convert her husband, not by nagging but by her godly life.
Both Peter and Paul speak of Christians who are married to non-Christians. Some who argue against this may say, “they were married before they were converted.” That may be true, but the text does not say that.
The danger in any relationship is that the non-Christian may influence the Christian, but the opposite may also be true. Many years ago in the church in Hereford, Texas, where Weezie’s father was an elder, they had six elders. None of them were Christians when they married those Christian ladies, but through the years, all were converted. It may not be wise for a Christian to marry a non-Christian, but just because something is unwise, does not mean that it is a sin.
Back to the Text
Another reason for not believing that our text is talking about normal marriages are found in three commands given in verse seventeen. Quoting the Old Testament, Paul commanded these Corinthian brethren: (1) “Come out from their midst,” (2) “Be separate,” (3) “Do not touch what is unclean.” All three of these statements are commands – the Christian has no choice, but to leave. Jesus’ command is for Christians to remain with the non-Christian (I Corinthians 7:12-13).
Conclusion
The text of our study does not teach that it is a sin for a Christian to marry a non-Christian. A Christian marrying a non-Christian may not be wise but that in itself is not sin. The Christian must realize the danger that his or her spouse, may lead the believer into an unfaithful life-style. The marriage is a violation of the text only if the believer is in an “unequal yoke.”
— Wayne Burger
