Question:
2 Corinthians 6:14 (Whole Chapter)
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
For the longest while I’ve understood that to mean:
a) don’t go into business with unbelievers
b) don’t marry someone who is not a Christian if you’re a Christian.
Lately there is an additional twist I’ve seen being added to that.
c) Do not marry someone who is not of the same denomination as you.
Is this correct?
Answer:
C is not correct and I don't know about A but if so then we're just about all screwed... B is the way i've always seen it... but I've also sometimes used the same analogy to say that people, in all walks of life, should pair themselves with somebody of equal skill in any endeavor...
Answer:
Unbeliever =/= someone of another denomination. Statement C is just wrong.
Nevertheless, there is a principle here that is important. If two people are going to be yoked together (in other words, stuck together and forced to move in the same direction all the time), they should agree on which direction they want to move. A Catholic who wants their children in Catholic schools and a Protestant who dislikes Catholic schools should probably not get married (unless they can compromise or unless they don't intend to have children).
The business aspect follows quite easily from the understanding of what a yoke is all about. When you go in to business with someone (this is different from being an employee of someone... somewhat), you are saying that you will both go in the same direction with the business and work together. If they want to make money by lying, cheating and stealing, you shouldn't go into business with them. It would be impossible for you to move in the same direction.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Thamar 2 Corinthians 6:14 (Whole Chapter)
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
For the longest while I’ve understood that to mean:
a) don’t go into business with unbelievers
b) don’t marry someone who is not a Christian if you’re a Christian.
Lately there is an additional twist I’ve seen being added to that.
c) Do not marry someone who is not of the same denomination as you.
Is this correct?
Might as well take a look at the context...right?
2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
2Co 6:16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
2Co 6:18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

Through his use of rhetorical questions, Paul explains what he means in verse 14.
Do not be yoked with unbelievers. Why?

For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? None.
Or what fellowship has light with darkness? None.
What accord has Christ with Belial? None.
Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? Nothing.
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? None.
BECAUSE:
...we [believers] are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people
THEREFORE:
go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
THEREFORE:
and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

This isn't just meant to be good advice to be considered...it is a command. We are not to partner with unbelievers in any way.
C doesn't apply unless that denomination is demonstrably un-Christian.
Chris
Answer:
Originally Posted by comitatus1
C doesn't apply unless that denomination is demonstrably un-Christian.
Chris
Originally Posted by bobthecockroach Unbeliever =/= someone of another denomination. Statement C is just wrong.
Nevertheless, there is a principle here that is important. If two people are going to be yoked together (in other words, stuck together and forced to move in the same direction all the time), they should agree on which direction they want to move. A Catholic who wants their children in Catholic schools and a Protestant who dislikes Catholic schools should probably not get married (unless they can compromise or unless they don't intend to have children).
I kind of agree with this statement. In making a decision I would also link this verse to the principle that in a marriage partnership the couple should be of one mind
Amos 3:3
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
It seems difficult for people in general to agree on a lot of things, even the simple things. People in the same denomination don't agree on every thing but should agree in principal on the fundamentals. It would be a troublesome thing to marry someone who is of another faith especially when you don't agree on the fundamentals, whatever they may be.
Originally Posted by BOBTHECOCKROACH The business aspect follows quite easily from the understanding of what a yoke is all about. When you go in to business with someone (this is different from being an employee of someone... somewhat), you are saying that you will both go in the same direction with the business and work together. If they want to make money by lying, cheating and stealing, you shouldn't go into business with them. It would be impossible for you to move in the same direction.
I agree with that. I don't think it means that I can't do business with them like buying and selling but it would mean I can't partner with an unbeliever.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Thamar In making a decision I would also link this verse to the principle that in a marriage partnership the couple should be of one mind
Amos 3:3
Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Yeah, that's basically what I was trying to say.
Answer:
A and B are right, but C can't be unless the person from the other denomination is a nonbeliever. And A is more like a business partner, like don't form a company with a nonbeliever etc. And never ever marry a nonbeliever.
Answer:
I have always thought that it was deeper than just being a Christian.
What I mean is lets say that you want to marry this girl (Specifically about B). If you believe every word in the Bible.. but she only believes in Genesis-Joshua, than you will be unequally yoked. While you are believing for a healing according to Isaiah or 1 Peter... She will not stand in prayer with you for it because she doesnt believe it will happen.... If that makes sense....
Think of it as litteral as possible. When two cattle are yoked together to pull a cart. If one trys to go left while the other trys to go right, they wont get anywhere.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Crandell I have always thought that it was deeper than just being a Christian.
What I mean is lets say that you want to marry this girl (Specifically about B). If you believe every word in the Bible.. but she only believes in Genesis-Joshua, than you will be unequally yoked. While you are believing for a healing according to Isaiah or 1 Peter... She will not stand in prayer with you for it because she doesnt believe it will happen.... If that makes sense....
Think of it as litteral as possible. When two cattle are yoked together to pull a cart. If one trys to go left while the other trys to go right, they wont get anywhere. I endorse this post, because I was about to post the same thing.
Even assuming that the two people being married are Christians (or that they are partnering in any way, regardless of the nature of that relationship, be it business-driven or perhaps just a close friendship), it's not just important that they be Christians. To say that is to say that I can go and pick any Christian girl and marry her, or form any kind of close bond, and we will automatically be equally yoked. However, just because you have two oxen in a yoke doesn't mean that they are equal. They're the same animal, but are they both strong enough? Is one significantly smaller? In the same way, is this Christian mature, strong, and able to call your bluff, "speaking the truth in love," and actually helping you to plod on and keep plowing? Or are they just going to plod beside you and do essentially nothing?
Even if the person is a Christian, that doesn't mean you will avoid being unevenly yoked.
Answer:
I agree with that. I've seen couples who are not the same in terms of their spiritual maturity and they get married thinking things will work out and this has caused lots of problems for them. Yet if it is a case like with Hosea who was asked, by God, to marry a Gomer then things will eventually work out. He will supply the strength, wisdom and patience to see you through.