Unequally Yoked with Unbelievers?

Background Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6
Lesson Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ezra 9:10-14

Introduction

The title of this lesson is in question form, tacitly suggesting that we examine ourselves whether we might, in some way or other, be guilty. The New Testament principle prohibiting an unequal yoke is closely related to the doctrine of separation from the world and is a historic tenet of our faith. In times past, the unbelieving world’s intolerance of the true disciples of Jesus preempted any close association with them. Today it is different, with members of the church often enjoying high regard in the community. Due to this, the need for vigilance to keep oneself unspotted and unyoked from the world (James 1:27) is all the more necessary.

Key Verse

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (Titus 2:14).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Corinth, in the days of the apostle and the young church that he had planted there, was a prosperous and bustling regional seaport. The estimated population was around 200,000 free inhabitants and 500,000 slaves. The residents were of Greek, Roman, and Jewish ethnicity. 1 Trades of all sorts were in demand, powered by the area-wide shipping and transportation industry, so it is likely opportunities of many kinds presented themselves. In Corinth, as was common in idolatrous societies, the inclusion of immorality in their pagan worship was prevalent. In this setting, Paul spoke his warning to a transformed group of Christian believers about being unequally yoked with unbelievers.

Paul’s primary concern was that the Corinthian converts would maintain a clear break from associations, business and social, that would compromise their faith in Jesus in any way. He feared the pull that any close tie-ins with idolatrous people requiring the Christian’s acquiescence would have on their loyalty to Christ. His concern reflected the wise man’s question: “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?” (Prov. 6:27).

Two things are necessary to grasp the validity of Paul’s concern in this first portion of the lesson text. One is to keep in mind the clear record in the Gospels of Jesus’s teaching on separation. The Christian brotherhood is distinctly in contrast to the world’s friendship and company (John 15:19). They operate on different wavelengths in many spheres of life. Secondly, the tenor of the New Testament is that Christians must “come out from” the worldly realm if they are to be justified and sanctified. This “coming out from” is a matter of salvation, inherent to the straight and narrow way that Jesus taught. God’s promise of being our Father in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 is contingent on the believer’s deep-settled conviction for, and obedience to, his commands.

Looking at the exact wording of this passage, one could come to one of several viewpoints. Was Paul saying that every association with an unbeliever constituted an unequal yoke? Or that “yoking together” may be permissible in certain circumstances, provided that there is no compromising of gospel standards? Certainly, jeopardizing one’s loyalty to Christ should be carefully avoided and considered as sinful. Here is where believers must be spiritually minded, “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Cor. 2:13) in order to discern the propriety of any given proposition.

The text from Ezra contains the word affinity (v. 14). It means “an attraction to or liking for something; sympathy marked by community of interest.” 2 That definition certainly applies to our study. Ezra’s reasoning and pleading is clear. It was actually God begging for their understanding. After all that the Lord had done to and for his people, should those now returning from captivity by his favor again join in affinity with the ungodliness of the land? Would they again join themselves to the corrupted people and adopt their ways as being compatible to the worship of Jehovah?

Letting God say what the Word plainly says instead of postulating “what He meant to say” gives a good foundation for Christian doctrine. It is clear from Ezra’s words that having affinity or being unequally yoked with the world is sin. Ezra’s message from God was a call to repentance. Following our lesson’s text is the account of the people repenting for having taken unlawful wives. God’s people had, in effect, become unequally yoked with the heathen of the land, and it was a painful reckoning to break that yoke and put away their sin.

If we are guilty of transgressing God’s commandments, repentance is in order. Drawing from Ezra’s account that follows the lesson text, a pattern emerges even for today. A godly vision of how their separation had been compromised preceded their repentance and sorrow for transgressing God’s will. This was followed by the putting away of the worldliness among them. This restored a right relationship with God and broke their connection with the world. From this, it is seen that an unequal yoke can be annulled by the grace of God and obedience to Him.

Practical Truths for Today

Paul taught that members of the church of God should avoid apostate brothers or sisters in fellowship and temporal matters, even including not eating together, but he clarified his teaching that this shunning did not extend to the general people of the community on the everyday level, including interacting with the grossly ungodly (1 Cor. 5:10). Buying and selling and serving and being served in the course of everyday business presented no conflict with Christian doctrine. Such does not constitute an unequal yoke. Nevertheless, even in this setting, it is of paramount importance to keep the heart’s affection and interests free from being dominated by the worldly realm. Believers should never place themselves in a vulnerable position where they might be coerced into compromising the faith.

Momentarily laying aside the common assumption that an unequal yoke pertains to business partnerships with those who are not church members, let us consider other areas where this doctrine may apply. For example, what about a connection with the philosophies, ideas, and pursuits of the world to which one may have an affinity? When one’s friendship and camaraderie with the unregenerate and worldly minded is such that they expect a reciprocal response or favor that would be contrary to Christian principles, is there an unequal yoke?

There are community positions and services that are needful, and they might seem like opportunities for members of the church to contribute to the general welfare of society. Throughout the years, many brothers and sisters have filled such roles and have been appreciated. However, it is expedient to examine the various angles of involvement that the world might impose on those participating. What might be expected of a brother or sister in a community position should civil unrest get out of hand? Sometimes local organizations become involved in patriotic events, and the pressure may be for employees or volunteers to join in and help out. If unrest and protests were to occur, the nonresistant Christians will want to be careful to not be yoked to the secular kingdom.

Looking objectively at this subject, the concern is to avoid relationships of any nature that would infringe upon a Christian’s loyalty to Christ in any circumstances. These may not appear on the surface but lurk underneath just out of sight. It will take spiritual discernment to be able to identify that which could undermine our faith in remaining separate from the world. Three areas may be noted particularly: employment and business associations, extensive social interactions with the world, and community civic service. It should be remembered that public sentiment is fickle and can change in short order. What seems benign today may prove malignant tomorrow. The gospel that the apostle preached made the believer a free man in Christ Jesus. He is freed from the world and its rudiments (Col. 2:8, 20). In his teaching against an unequal yoke, Paul is saying that any unbecoming or potentially compromising association is perilous.

Illustration

In some developing countries, a yoke is still used to bind two oxen together to pull a load. Such animals have been observed with the yoke bound so tightly on the back of their heads and necks that neither could move without the other cooperating. Carefulness is taken to pair two animals of similar size. If one is smaller than the other it is an unequal yoke. There is also a problem if one creature is by nature less energetic and the other more aggressive.

During the Iraq War (2003-2011), a popular man hired on with a civilian company to truck fuel supplies within Iraq to the armed forces fighting there. In the course of his service, he was wounded, captured, and hid away for a length of time before escaping and being rescued. When he returned from abroad, the community naturally erupted in a patriotic outburst. A brother on the volunteer fire department that was heavily involved in the celebration found himself swept up in the activities. Such a situation is uncomfortable and serves as a caution to keep our garments unspotted from the world.

Questions

1. Is serving on jury duty a form of being unequally yoked?
2. Can church members accept community positions that might entail patriotic involvement?
3. Does separation from the world always mean nonparticipation? If so, are there ways that Christians can contribute to the community without being yoked with the world?
4. Are there times when a situation turns into an unequal yoke with the passing of time? What shall a disciple of the Lord do in that case?
5. 1 Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, pp. 308-309
6. 2 Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).