Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

In my opinion, married Christians cannot be unequally yoked in the sense that Paul is using the term in the passage being referred to in the question (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Christian couples may have their differences and disagreements, but the fundamental framework of their shared belief in Christ, and the common perspective of life that they should hold because of being Christian, should enable them (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to work through or resolve those disagreements in a spirit of love and forgiveness.

By contrast, marriages where one partner is Christian and the other is not would provide no common source of reference or belief to draw on that would be strong enough to keep them committed to each other when serious difficulties arise.

The contrast between marriages where both partners are Christians, and marriages where one partner is Christian and the other is not, is so great that Paul describes a Christian being married to a non-Christian in terms such as light having fellowship with darkness; righteousness with unrighteousness; Christ with Satan; or God with idols.

However, Paul's words are directed to unmarried Christians. If a person becomes a Christian after having already married a non-Christian spouse, the Christian should not separate from or divorce the non-Christian spouse for that reason (1 Corinthians 7:12-16).

February 12 2016 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

Is it possible for married Christians to be unequally yoked?

First, what does it mean for anyone to be unequally yoked? We got that slogan from Paul's instructions to the church at Corinth. They were told, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers..." (2 Corinthians 6:14) He went on to give them examples of what he meant by 'unequally yoked.' Light and darkness; the temple of God with idols; Christ with Belial; and this one - here it is - a believer with an unbeliever. 

COMPLETE OPPOSITES is what he was talking about. Oil and water.. 

God wants us to know our value in Christ! We are altogether and comprehensively different from unbelievers. 

Paul is concerned about the ministry; THE CHURCH! He wants them to know that there are people who are poison to unity and love, the two main ingredients of fellowship. They are idolaters; they worship their own bellies (Philippians 3:19). They are the people for which Paul cautions the church to be on the lookout! Why? Because believers are the temple of the Living God, and the temple of God has no agreement with idols. Again, unbelievers are idol worshippers. (they worship themselves)

Are Christians always equally yoked? Yes, in prayer; yes, in baptism; yes, in Christian ministry. In marriage? It depends on their personalities. 

The man might want 5 children, and his wife only wants one. She might have said she wanted more until she had a couple. She might want a house in the country and he likes the urban area. They might have agreed on where to live during the early stage of the relationship; but people can change their mind when life progresses. (It’s called 'growing apart'). 

Some of us have 'theological tunnel vision.' We struggle to think outside the theological box. When we hear 'unequally yoked for marriage,' we think 'Sinful person living with someone trying to live the holy life dedicated to Jesus.' That's not the usual problem of a deacon and his wife; or a preacher and his wife. Their martial problems are usually very similar to everyone else's. Two people who are surrendered to Jesus who struggle to do the same to each other. SURRENDER! 

But here it is: a woman doesn't want three children more than the two she wants. And a man doesn't want to be denied the 4 sons he's spent his whole life planning to raise! It matters not how they handle the discrepancy; (one of the two might surrender their right to choose for themselves.) They are very much unequally yoked! They want lives that are essentially in opposition. They might both love God! They can reconcile their opposing opinions and feelings. It's a beautiful thing when they do! But yes, they are unequally yoked together. 

There's a need to know how to handle being unequally yoked to another believer in marriage. Here it is:

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them (Colossians 3:18,19).

The only issue now is, what 'submission' looks like when the man wants 3 children more than the woman wants to birth and raise? And also, how does the man avoid being 'bitter' about the three children that he wants and can't have without his wife agreeing? (If she submits and gives birth to more children than she wants, SHE MIGHT become bitter! The chances are better than good that she will!) 

Paul told the Ephesian Church. "Husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself" (Ephesians 5:28).

There's the answer: good leadership!

7 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report