A Yoke Shared With An Unbeliever

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Preface I have some inherent bias for this letter due to the fact that the interpretation of this scripture may affect my personal relationships. However, noting this, I believe objectivity only strengthens my argument and anything less would weaken my argument. As such I have incentive to be as objective and clear as possible so as not to pollute my argument and my findings. Also, if I were to be caught trying to twist the perspective of these scriptures it would be costly, in that it may tarnish my personal trustworthiness and honor. As such I will attempt to remain as objective as possible during this writing and highlight only relevant scriptures and their associated relevant interpretations. Introduction There are two crucial polarities to keep in mind throughout this analysis. The first concerns the interpretation of unequal. The latter concerns the interpretation of yoke. Reading the scripture, one interpretation is that believers should not be yoked with unbelievers that this yoke is unequal. However, there is another popular understanding which is that one should not yoke with unbelievers in a manner that is unequal. In the former interpretation, being yoked to an unbeliever is inadvisable due to its unequal nature, yet in the latter perspective there is only an issue if the yoke itself is unequally shared, such as the case of an unequal burden. In addition to the question of equality, the second concern is what Paul meant by yoke and unequal yoke. This portion I delve into with great detail below. Yoked Together The scripture that this discussion references is 2 Corinthians 6:14, which reads: KJV: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? The significant phrase here is the Hebrew "heterozugeo". KJV indicates that it means "unequally yoked". To yoke up differently. Hetero meaning different and zugeo meaning yoke. Some believe Leviticus 19 to be relevant to Pauls words to the saints of Corinth. Leviticus 19:19 states that: KJV: Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.

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It should be noted that this scripture in Leviticus is to be taken literally and not symbolically. For example, those that observe the laws of Leviticus are not to wear garments composed of multiple materials or allow their livestock to mingle with other species. Some believe that Pauls use of yoke references this scripture of Leviticus. Many believe that these scriptures refer to breeding, and thus marriage. Some interpret this yoke as a symbol of the bond of marriage and procreation. However, a different perspective is that the figure in Leviticus 19:19 is not sexual. Instead of a bond, the yoke may represent a burden. Similarly, this may also be the case in 1 Corinthians. It may forbid adjoining different animals of different strength in such a way that they are unable to carry a burden. If this interpretation is adopted, the law fits better with Deuteronomy 22:10: KJV: Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together. This scripture is also intended to be taken literally in its original context, however the point is that Paul may be referencing this scripture when referring to unequal yoking. LXX (The Septuagint, the earliest Greek translation) uses the word "yoke" in this verse. The NIV reads, "Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together." Such an "unequal yoking" of two animals would not be of equal strength, height or ability, thus the plowing would be more difficult. Additionally, LXX Leviticus 19:19 can be interpreted as: You shall not hold down your animals with an unequal yoke. The word 'hold down' is sometimes translated here sexually by some, but its derivatives usually refer to 'restraint' in general. The Greek word heterozugos ('unequal yoke') is used in the LXX only here. Using this interpretation, Leviticus 19:19 reads Do not make your animals fall down with an unequal yoke". From this perspective, it is clear that the focus is the burden, rather than the joining. Some believe that the scripture indicates that one should share no burden and commit no bonding with non-Christians. However, some take this a step further and believe that one shouldnt associate with nonbelievers to any degree, but especially to those degrees in which the Christian will be under any authority or obligation from the nonbeliever (a loan, a lease, rent, a work relationship, business partnership, government law, etc.). However, Paul somewhat clarifies this matter of Christians associating with non-Christians in 1 Cor. 5:9-10, which reads: KJV: I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. Here Paul is explaining the difficulty in completely disassociating with sinners. However, one should note the clear contrast that this case has to the example of the life of Jesus, who frequently held company with sinners. Those Already Bound by Marriage

A Yoke Shared With An Unbeliever

In addition to these scriptures, readers should put emphasis on the words of Paul in 1 Cor. 7 which speaks at great length specifically about marriage. Whether the unequally yoked scripture refers to marriage is up for debate, however 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 clearly states that: KJV: But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and 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. Here Paul encourages that those which are married to unbelievers should stay with them. However perhaps more importantly, Paul says that the unbelieving spouse is sanctified by this joining. Many theologians disagree in what Paul actually means by sanctified, however in other scriptures the word sanctified is used to mean holy and set apart. It appears to mean that the individual is cut off from the godless influence of the world. Some believe that this means that there is an increased chance that the unbeliever will be won to Christ. It does not conflict with scripture to assume that the natural union receives a spiritual influence holding the possibility of conversion. Additionally, the apostle Peter also encourages wives of unbelievers to work to win their husbands to the Lord, as can be seen in 1 Peter 2 and 1 Peter 3, which reads: NIV: 1 Peter 2:23-25, 1 Peter 3:1-2 : When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. (Words in quotations cite Isaiah 53) So, although some may interpret that Paul is indicating that believers should not be unequally yoked as to refer to marriage, Paul and Peter both state in very clear terms that if there is such a bond, it should be maintained. Conclusion There are a number of potential perspectives concerning these scriptures, and many theologians disagree on the intent of this verse. It is likely that Paul is referencing earlier scripture, but it is not completely clear whether he is referencing Leviticus or Deuteronomy, or perhaps some other scripture all together. In addition, the interpretation of the initial scripture which Paul may or may not be referencing is not entirely clear. Given the thoroughness of the insight outlined above, the burden lies on the readers comprehension.