To Be Unequally Yoked

[LadyKay]

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

 

Is this really about marriage? I have been thinking again. I have not done any research into it but weren't most marriages back in Bible times arranged marriages? Like I said I have not researched it but from my understand is that women were looked upon as property. And they had no real choice in whom they were going to marry. It was all done by the family. If that is the case I am wondering about the meaning of this verse and just whom it is addressing. Just a thought??

[Guest]

That verse doesn't just apply to marriage, as I see it. Its a good principle to following in other areas of life also.

 

Does that mean having nothing to do with the lost at all? No. It just means not getting into business, marriage, and other relationships (where the believer is seeking advice and influence) with the lost that will ultimately tear the believer down. I've had lost room mates, and they are not conducive to living the Christian life! One of them almost got me tossed in jail when they got busted. I'm not about to go anywhere near dating or marrying a lost person -- the room mate was bad enough. I've also heard testimony from others about getting involved with business partnerships with a lost person, only have them start being dishonest, etc. The believer always looses in such cases in either money, time, a blown witness, or all of the above. In short: business or other intimate relationships with the lost are not a good idea for a believer. There has to be common ground for a deep relationship and that is not present when one person is lost and the other saved, they are going to pull in different directions.

 

We should have friends and aquaintances among the lost also because that's how the gospel is spread. Those friendships are of a different kind, or level might be a better term, than a friendship between two believers.

[missmuffet]

I agree with walla.We should not be unevenly yolked in all aspects of our lives.Marriage,friendships,business partners.

[LadyKay]

 Still though I am not sure if marriages back then were arranged. I suppose I will have to do some digging into that when I have the time to find the answer.

[WIP]

I agree with walla.We should not be unevenly yolked in all aspects of our lives.Marriage,friendships,business partners.

 

Me too.

[Micheal Westin]

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

 

Is this really about marriage? I have been thinking again. I have not done any research into it but weren't most marriages back in Bible times arranged marriages? Like I said I have not researched it but from my understand is that women were looked upon as property. And they had no real choice in whom they were going to marry. It was all done by the family. If that is the case I am wondering about the meaning of this verse and just whom it is addressing. Just a thought??

you make a good point, I find the bible seems to make strong stand for who you choose as close friends is just as important as who you marry

[Fez]

 

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

 

Is this really about marriage? I have been thinking again. I have not done any research into it but weren't most marriages back in Bible times arranged marriages? Like I said I have not researched it but from my understand is that women were looked upon as property. And they had no real choice in whom they were going to marry. It was all done by the family. If that is the case I am wondering about the meaning of this verse and just whom it is addressing. Just a thought??

you make a good point, I find the bible seems to make strong stand for who you choose as close friends is just as important as who you marry

 

"Yoked" would seem to suggest pulling in the same direction with the same end goal. To associate with unbelievers in order to witness to them is a different thing. The same I think goes towards marriage, in which we should be pulling in the same direction with the same end goal. To be unequally yoked would mean we would pull in an ever decreasing circle....

[Guest DRS81]

I agree with OP. It is hard finding a husband or wife, but to find a born again husband or wife is that much harder. Prayer is necessary.

[Willa]

I believe Paul was writing to the Corinthians, who were Greek. I don't think Greek or Roman marriages were always arranged among the gentiles. Perhaps it occurred sometimes among the upper classes so as to make alliances. My memory is dim about this. All I remember is from studying Latan and reading historical novels. But even the arranged marriages of the Jews gave the woman the option of declining the relationship. It would be an interesting study.

I did a short bit of digging and you are right, they were arranged. The family looked for a mate for their pre teen girl or post teen boy that would increase social status. At least in Rome, again the 2 intended must agree to live together.

Perhaps this was advice to the families as to how to choose a mate for their children. They would become betrothed with doweries etc, and not become married till they were of age in early teens and mid twenties. The Greeks had stricter laws about marriage than the Romans.

[LadyKay]

Very interesting Willamina thank you.