Question 198: What is it to be “Unequally Yoked”?

Answer:

The passage in 2 Corinthians 6:14 may have a wide interpretation. "Unequally yoked" may mean bound together with one who is alien in spirit, although it might also mean that the disparity in culture or possessions, the difference in race or in religious belief, are to be regarded as insurmountable barriers. In early Israelite times, marriages with heathen were forbidden; so, in disciple’s times, unions of believers and infidels or unbelievers in any form, were to be avoided. Righteousness and wickedness cannot pull in the same harness and as our first duty is to YHVH, we should put away from us all avoidable contact that would hinder its performance. Paul in the passage in question clearly had in mind the union of believers with unbelievers.