Unequally Yoked

The archaic word yoke appears sixty times in the scriptures and refers to a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals, usually oxen, and attached to a plow or cart they are to pull together. Christ gives a positive emphasis when He tells us to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him, because His yoke is easy, and His burden light. (See Matthew 6:8.) When the animals are yoked together, they need to be of similar strength and size to work effectively. If one animal is significantly stronger or larger than the other, the yoke becomes unequal, making it difficult for them to pull the load evenly and work harmoniously. In a metaphorical sense, being unequally yoked refers to entering into a close relationship, with someone who does not share the same beliefs, values, or commitments.

“So, let’s take this to another level and look at something that the apostle Paul wrote, talking about marriage—in two passages, written to the same audience in two different letters: one in First Corinthians; the other in Second Corinthians. The one in First Corinthians says: If any brother has a wife that believes not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not divorce her. And the woman who has a husband that believes not, if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean, but now are they holy (1 Corinthians 1:26). Keep that in mind while we read from Second Corinthians: Be not [equally] yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he that believes with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? (2 Corinthians 1:21 RE). I would suggest that the correct way to read the second one is in light of the first one—that the first one was the foundation; the second one is the next part. And I would say that being unequally yoked is not talking about the problems; it’s talking about the commitment to marriage. If a man is committed to his marriage and the wife is committed to the marriage, then it doesn’t matter if there are religious differences between them. They’re equally yoked so long as they both are committed to their marriage. And there’s no reason why you can’t be happy with the spouse you chose if that spouse is committed to the marriage, and you are as well.”¹ See also MARRIAGE.