What is Being Unevenly Yoked?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?”
2 Corinthians 6:14

Introduction

The Bible instructs us not to be “unevenly yoked” to unbelievers, that is, those who are not in the faith. In this we are told that righteousness does not have partnership, or fellowship with wickedness.

But how do we apply this in our lives?

Some groups of Christians have elected to opt for what many would consider “extreme methods”, such as isolating their members from the world entirely, be that through living monastic lives, or completely cutting themselves off socially from unbelievers around them in the world. Such a mentality often creates irrational fear of unbelievers, or judgement and prejudice, things that are in fact unchristian in nature.

Examining the Context of the Scriptures

The principle of what Apostle Paul speaks of in his letter to the Corinthians, can be found throughout the scriptures, where we are warned that if we are not wary, we can be influenced by the people we choose to have company with:

• “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil conversation corrupts good character'”. – 1 Corinthians 15:33
• “Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices”. – Exodus 34:15

Does this mean then that as Christians, we cannot interact or have non-Christian friends whatsoever? If we examine further Paul’s letter on fellowship, we will see the full context:

• “What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you'”. – 2 Corinthians 6:16-17

We see, that Paul was speaking of “touching unclean things”, such as idols. The context here, then, was that some Christians were being drawn into false religious worship by their non-Christian associations, and therefore they would be wise to cease interacting with them. But does this then mean that Paul is saying all unbelievers are unclean and are to be avoided at all costs? Examination of other scriptures tells us the answer:

• “If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat anything set before you without raising questions of conscience“. – 1 Corinthians 10:27
• “I wrote you in my letter not to intimately associate with sexually immoral people. I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world“. – 1 Corinthians 5:9-10
• “Then it happened that as Yeshua was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Yeshua and his disciples“. – Matthew 9:10
• “And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?”. – Matthew 5:47

As we can see, we have more than enough support in scripture to tell us that we are not required to isolate ourselves, on the contrary, we are even encouraged by both Yeshua and the Apostles to not only speak with, but also spend time, and even dine with unbelievers.

The Meaning of Being Unevenly Yoked

Since we have seen clearly that the scriptures are not telling us to isolate ourselves, or that we can’t have non-Christian friends or acquaintances, what is the true meaning of being “unevenly yoked”?

If we examine the phrase “yoked”, what is referred to here, is an “animal yoke”. This phrase can be seen throughout scripture, one famous example are the words about “not ploughing an ox with a donkey” under one yoke (Deuteronomy 22:10).

Animal yokes are used to attach items such as luggage, carts or farming tools for them to carry or drag. When two animals of differing sizes share a yoke, the smaller animal will be dragged along, or trampled by the larger one.

In our case, then, being “unevenly yoked” is to be more influenced by an unbeliever, than we influence them. In this sense, they are ‘spiritually’ dragging us in their direction or trampling us under foot.

We see this if we further examine Paul’s letter on going to meals with unbelievers, in that whilst there is nothing wrong with it, that they should not attend or take part if those unbelievers then begin to try and involve you in unchristian conduct.

• “…But if someone says to you, ‘This has been offered in sacrifice’, then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience”. – 1 Corinthians 10:28

However, we should pay attention to the fact that we are told, not to “unyoke” ourselves, or not to be yoked whatsoever to unbelievers, but rather, not to be “unevenly” yoked. Therefore, the practical application for us here, is that whilst we can have unbelieving friends, we merely need be wary of their influence upon us in our lives, and that they do not cause us to stumble in our faith, whether that be letting them lead us into disobedience to God, immoral conduct, or otherwise.

Therefore, we need not be paranoid about the world of unbelievers, nor do we need to be unsocial, but only do we need be wary that we are not negatively influenced.

There is nothing wrong with friends or associations of the world. In fact, our friendships can even grant us the opportunity to share our faith with them, be that through direct or indirect methods, such as a confession of faith, or on a practical scale, such sharing our love or concern with them, doing good to them, just as Paul and Peter both recommended to those who were married to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 7:16, 1 Peter 3:1-2).

Hence, just as Paul said, the next time you are invited to a meal by an unbeliever, do not be shy about going! Only be aware that your faith and moral standings remain strongly rooted, and that you not be led into immoral conduct.