The Bible tells believers in 2 Corinthians 6:14(a), “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” However, they cannot comply with God’s command if they are unclear about its meaning.
So, what is a yoke?
A yoke is a farming apparatus used to join two animals together to accomplish a task like plowing or furrowing a field, moving logs, or hauling heavy equipment. A typical yoke consists of a wooden bar, frame, or beam attached to a harness around each animal’s head or neck—enabling them to work in tandem.
If two animals are unequally yoked, they will not accomplish the farming task required but will work against each other. For example, if a farmer yoked a shorter ox with a taller one to prepare his field for planting row crops, the trenches created would not be straight but curved or circular because of the animal’s different stride patterns.
Likewise, if a farmer yoked a stronger ox with a weaker one to haul logs off his property, the stronger ox would be overworked and tire quickly while the weaker one would underproduce. The same would be true if he yoked two different species that did not share the same stature, strength, or ability. Therefore, farmers must yoke their animals equally to accomplish various tasks.
In the same way, believers who yoke themselves to unbelievers in relationships that require shared beliefs, values, and morals to succeed are unequally yoked. These relationships include marriage, business partnerships, and close friendships. Paul stated in 2 Corinthians 6:14(b)-16, “For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God.” The implied answer to all these questions is, “Absolutely nothing.” Therefore, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:17, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.”
Unequally yoked relationships between believers and unbelievers cannot ultimately succeed because each member is governed by opposing belief systems, worldviews, and convictions. Therefore, they would work against each other, not together. Additionally, their core differences would result in discord, division, disputes, and even fractures or divorce, so God forbids it for His children. Perhaps Amos 3:3 summed up the incompatibility of unequally yoked individuals best when it states, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”
I hope this information helps you understand what unequally yoked means and assists you in helping others make wise and godly decisions with prominent relationships.
