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Bro. Turner:
 What
is meant by unwillingly yoked” in 2 Cor, 6:14? Does this refer
to the marriage
relation? H.T.
Reply:
“Unequally
yoked” is translated from heterodzugeo — the latter
part of that word meaning “yoke” and the former part
(hetero) meaning “different” with some hint of “difference
that is for the worse.” (Trench, Sym. of N.T. has a fine
discussion of this.)
The
“yoked” is figurative, and does not refer to intercourse or
the marriage relation. (In Lev. 19:19 the word is used (LXX) re.
mixed breeding of cattle, but is translated “diverse kind”;
and another word altogether is used for “gender with.”)
A
“yoke” is the bar placed across the necks of draft animals,
binding them, so that they may be worked together. They are “yoked”
for the accomplishment of the job — pulling stumps, plowing,
or whatever. To yoke an oxen to some smaller, weaker, or
cantankerous animal would hinder the accomplishment of the task.
But if both animals would work toward the same goal, the yoke
would assist them in working as a team, and contribute to the
desired end.
Now
the end or goal under consideration in 2 Cor. 6: is the
fellowship and service of God. Christians are reminded that
it is possible to fail — to receive God’s grace “in vain.”
The goal requires patience, sacrifice, pureness, etc. (vs.
1-13). Paul says, “Do not accept, as a yoke-fellow, one who
has a different goal – who will
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not pull with you to the same end — who will hinder your
efforts to serve and have true fellowship with God.”
As
already noted, the “yoke” does not refer to marriage of
itself; it refers to any “teaming up with.” Any “sharing
relationship” which keeps one from serving God faithfully must
be abandoned. “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate,” (v. 17). The marriage itself is not the “yoke”
under consideration, for a believer is told to remain with an
unbeliever (1 Cor. 7:10, 13), accepting separation only when the
unbeliever departs. However, marriage can be an “unequal
yoking.” If a choice must be made between a marriage relation
and God, true disciples will “love God more —” (Lu.
14:26-33).
Not
all association with people of the world is forbidden (1 Cor.
5:9-l0). But if you are “yoked” to a business partner who is
dishonest, and your “yoking” is such that you must
be a party to his dishonesty —come out.” If you are a
member of some civic or social order that functions contrary to
the will of God, and your “yoking” is such that you must jointly
participate in the error — ”come on out.” If you are a
member of some church whose work or worship is not in accord
with true service of God, and your contributions and
influence are “yoked” to that digression —”come
out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord” (2
Cor. 6:17).
“Unequally
yoked” is also defined by its opposite —”My yoke-fellow”
with Paul (Phil. 4:3), and in the final analysis, with God (1
Cor. 3:9).
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