Be ye not unequally yoked

Be ye not unequally yoked

When Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers,” he uses an image drawn from farming. Two animals yoked together must be of the same kind and strength, or the work will be hindered. Spiritually, the lesson is that believers must not bind themselves in partnerships, alliances, or commitments that compromise their faith or obedience to Christ. The yoke speaks of shared direction and shared burden, and if one is walking in truth while the other is walking in darkness, the result is conflict and compromise.

It is important to see that this command does not mean believers must cut off all contact with unbelievers. Paul himself clarifies in 1 Corinthians 5:9-10 that to avoid unbelievers entirely would mean leaving the world altogether. The issue is not ordinary relationships but binding partnerships that demand shared spiritual commitments. When a believer enters into marriage, business, or ministry alliances with those who reject the truth, he is unequally yoked, and his walk with Christ is endangered. The warning is against compromise, not against contact.

This distinction is also applicable when considering family and friends who are unbelievers. Having unbelieving family members or friends is not a violation of this verse. In fact, Scripture calls us to love them, live peaceably with them, and be a witness of the gospel in their presence (Romans 12:18; 1 Corinthians 7:12-16). These relationships are part of the believer’s testimony in the world. They are not “yokes” in the biblical sense unless they demand shared spiritual commitments that pull the believer away from Christ. We are called to be salt and light, not to isolate ourselves from those who need the gospel.

The question also extends to those who profess Christianity but trust in a false gospel, particularly a gospel of works. Galatians 1:6-9 makes clear that trusting in works for salvation is “another gospel” and not saving faith at all. Though such individuals may claim the name of Christ, they are not resting in His finished work, and therefore they remain “unbelievers” in the sense Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 6:14. This means that believers must exercise caution. Outreach to them is right and necessary, but spiritual fellowship or ministry partnership that affirms their error is forbidden. To join hands in ministry with those who preach another gospel is to compromise the truth.

The balance, then, is clear. Believers are called to separate from partnerships that compromise truth, but they are also called to remain present in relationships where God has placed them, bearing witness to the gospel. We are not commanded to isolation, but to faithful testimony. The principle of being “not unequally yoked” is about guarding the purity of our walk and our witness, while still living in the world as ambassadors for Christ. Separation from error and compromise must be firm, but love and presence among unbelievers must remain, so that the light of the gospel shines clearly.

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Thank you, Dennis, for an excellent question.

As grace believers, what is our primary objective? (Part 3)

As grace believers, what is our primary objective? (Part 3)

Start this series of posts with: Part 1

No knowledge, no understanding, no foundation

The key verse in this series confirms that after we come to salvation, it is God’s will that we come to a knowledge of the truth, 1Tim.2:4. Isn’t it interesting that God’s one desire for us, having been saved, is not to get busy with any activities, no matter how spiritual or noble they might appear to be, but to sit down, to quiet our minds, and to study His Word.

2Tim.2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

Why is this so?

The Stages of Christ's Ascension and Return (Part 3)

As mentioned in Part 2 of this multi-post topic, it is important to look at the ascension of Jesus, and the stages that it occurred in, in order to fully understand the stages of Christ's return. We'll continue therefore, in this part, to look at the details of the second stage of Christ's ascension, and later, when we look at Jesus' whole second coming, we will see how this part will mirror the same stage of His multi-part return. There are some very interesting things to learn from these stages and the events that tie into them.

The second stage of Christ's ascension into a new position and glory.