2 Corinthians 6:14
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” This is one of the most quoted Pauline admonitions. Paul’s metaphor of yoking implies shared life, labor, and decision-making. Unequal yokes can create tension between two incompatible commitments—righteous living in Christ and unbelieving partnership in daily life, especially in marriages or business ventures. The context includes a church wrestling with compromises and relationships that threaten fidelity to the gospel. While some interpret as prohibiting all friendship with non-Christians, Paul’s broader aim is to urge discernment in partnerships that shape values, loyalties, and life choices, ensuring that such unions do not compromise the gospel or lead believers away from Christ.
Theologically, this is a call to holiness and covenant faithfulness. It recognizes the spiritual influence of close associations and cautions against alliances that undermine the believer’s vocation. It also points to the wider biblical theme of separation from pagan worship and moral compromise without cutting off from the world.
- Before entering marriage, business, or close partnership, assess shared values and goals.
- Seek partnerships that support and enhance your faith, not push you toward compromise.
- If currently yoked with someone who opposes core Christian convictions, seek wise counsel, boundaries, and, if needed, redirection.
- Practice discernment in social and professional circles to maintain a clear witness.
Cross-References: Amos 3:3; 2 Corinthians 6:17; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Thessalonians 3:6