Unequally Yoked
December 17th, 2007
(By John MacArthur)
Like our post on Friday, the following is adapted from a Q&A session at Grace Church.
Question: Some people have told me that being unequally yoked is talking exclusively about marriage. Others have said that it applies also to business partnerships and other situations. Could you please expand on this? What does it mean to be unequally yoked and what type of a guideline should I have if it is okay for me to have a business partnership with a non-believer?
Answer
Well, this is a very important question. Second Corinthians, chapter 6, is what you’re asking about. The concept of “yoke” gives you the key. A yoke was something that was put over two animals in a common enterprise.
In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul says, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? And what fellowship has light with darkness? And what harmony has Christ with Belial? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?”
The point is that if you are in the same yoke, pulling the same plow down the same furrow — that is, if you are working side by side in the same enterprise, partnering together with an unbeliever – you’ve got a problem.
Truly, that would refer to marriage because there’s no firmer, stronger, more binding yoke than marriage, right? If you go beyond that and ask, “What about a business partnership?” it would depend upon the nature of that partnership. If, for example, there’s a limited partnership involving a group of investors and you’re one of those investors, that’s one thing. A person might put money in a bank; that’s also a form of partnership with other people. I don’t think that’s the issue here.
The issue here is linking up with an unbeliever, side by side, under the same yoke, pulling the same furrow, in the same direction, with the same goals and objectives. Now, that might mean a partnership in a common business — if it is likely that the nature of your partnership will lead to compromising situations down the road when your worldviews collide.
Beyond all that, however, the primary application of 2 Corinthians 6 is with regard to spiritual enterprise. The primary warning is to never link up with an unbeliever in spiritual pursuits.
So the obvious thing, first of all, is to avoid any common spiritual enterprise with an unbeliever (including things like marriage or religious ecumenism). And then secondarily, to be very careful in other areas of life (like business) if you’re pulling the same yoke with an unbeliever, because it’s inevitable that there will be conflict – since the standard by which you operate is inherently different.
Practically speaking, you will have to make the judgment as to what a particular partnership involves and whether you can be part of it – based on biblical principles, prayer, and godly counsel. The Spirit of God will lead you in that.
Very good!
I appreciate this web site, Pulpit Magazine is a great source of truth applied to situations in life.
I am also thankful for John and the ministry that the Lord gave him.
Have a Christ filled Christmas and blessed New Year.
Peter
This is helpful food for thought in such decisions. Thank you.
Let me add to this a question for consideration. I think that the Pastor has given a sound biblical argument for consideration in making these decisions, however, what about casual and even more intamate friendships, not even partnerships, with lost people that does not have the gospel and evangelism at the root. I think that the well thought out beleiver thinks about this but do the people in the pew think about who and how they encounter and respond to the people around them? I think that these and other passages are clear about what our behavior should be but what about John Q. Pew Sitter? With Rob Bell and others trying to make the church, the pulpit, the gospel, so doctrine free and theology free this issue seems to be more and more a question that the post-modern culture is answering than the pages of scripture. People often listen to the loudest voice crying not the voice that speaks for God and His will.
Very insighful and stimulating post.
John Prentice
This is a very interesting angle. I think as Christians we think only of the more binding yoke of marriage. This post really made me think differently about our involvement with the world as followers of Christ. Thanks you for sharing this.
I just would like to honor and show my appreciation for God’s Grace in people like John Macarthur. I wish there were more pastors and people who hungered for truth the way Macarthur does, and I also appreciate all the wonderful wisdom and truth at team pyro. Dr. Macarthur has help bring spiritual maturity in the areas of Bible interpretation, sound judgement and discernment and applying truth. I can’t get enough of your books. So thank you and God Bless,
Zach
P.S. I was watching clips of Dr.Macarthur on the Larry King show and I think he did great job in the way he handled himself, and defended Christianity.
Could you touch on this principle of being unequally yoked and apply it to those Christian young people who are trying to make wise decisions regarding making a vow/oath with the armed services?
SDC
Ok, so what ax do you have to grind? A closer reading of the article seems appropriate as it is dealing primarily with a spiritual yoke. The purpose of an armed force is, if necessary, to kill people and to break things, and the Scriptures are clear regarding the responsibility of government and the duty of its citizens to, if necessary, take up arms to defend its existence.
Dear Dr. MacArthur:
What about working with unbelievers (Catholic bishops) in distributing Bibles throughout the world, such as the American Bible Society, International Bible Society, Philippine Bible Society, etc. The Philippine Bible Society, for example, has several Roman Catholic Bishops sitting on their board.
Theirs is a spiritual pursuit–distributing both Catholic and Protestant Bibles. Yet theirs is also a model of working together. It is a model of “religious ecumenism” that Paul appears to prohibit.
Sincerely,
Pastor Henry Trocino Jr.
Philippines
I am already married to a man who does not practice the things of Christ. I was warned by God before marrying this man that he was not going to be a partner in the Christian walk.
But I am married to him for nearly 45 years. In all the troubles that such a marriage brings, I have had to learn many things. I have walked with the Lord and have learned many things about how to live with an ungodly man.
I do not believe that I should leave this man for the sake of not being unequally yoked together. I am faithful to my marriage. Because of the storms that come often in our home, I have depended more on our Father for His guidance and help.
When we have made an important decision that is not of God’s will, we must learn by living with it in a way that teaches us how to live in adversity. This is a hard way to live, but it is much better to learn in the midst of the storms than to separate in a divorce that would affect our children and grandchildren. So, I remain faithful to my spouse, granting him the right of a man being the head of the household. But if he tries to keep me from doing the Father’s will, I have to make a choice to follow God.