What did Paul mean by warning believers to not become "unequally yoked together with unbelievers"? by John MacArthur

Faith and Theology: Dr. John MacArthur Q&A

Day 18 of 21 What did Paul mean by warning believers to not become "unequally yoked together with unbelievers"? Paul's use of this phrase in 2 Corinthians 6.14 is an illustration taken from Old Testament prohibitions to Israel regarding the work-related joining together of two different kinds of livestock (Deut. 22.10). By this analogy, Paul taught that it is not right to join together in common spiritual enterprise with unbelievers-a relationship that would be detrimental to the Christian's testimony within the body of Christ. It is impossible under such an arrangement for things to be done to God's glory (1 Cor. 5.9-13; 6.15-18; 10.7-21; James 4.4; 1 John 2.15). This was especially important for the Corinthians because of the threats from the false teachers and the surrounding pagan idolatry. But this command does not mean believers should end all associations with unbelievers. That would defy the purpose for which God saved believers and left them on earth (Matt. 28.19, 20; 1 Cor. 9.19-23). "And what accord has Christ with Belial?" (v. 15). An ancient name for Satan, the utterly worthless one (Deut. 13.13). This contrasts sharply with Jesus Christ, the worthy One with whom believers are to be in fellowship. "And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?" (v. 16). The temple of God (true Christianity) and idols (idolatrous, demonic false religions) are utterly incompatible. "You are the temple of the living God." Believers individually are spiritual houses (5.1) in which the Spirit of Christ dwells. "As God has said." Paul supported his statement by referring to a blend of Old Testament texts (Lev. 26.11, 12; Jer. 24.7; 31.33; Ezek. 37.26, 27; Hos. 2.2, 3). Paul drew from Isaiah 52.11 and elaborated on the command to be spiritually separated. It is not only irrational and sacrilegious but disobedient to be bound together with unbelievers. When believers are saved, they are to disengage themselves from all forms of false religion and make a clean break from all sinful habits and old idolatrous patterns. "Be separate." This is a command for believers to be as Christ was (Heb. 7.26). II Corinthians 6:14 NKJV 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? Deuteronomy 22:10 NKJV 10 “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. I Corinthians 5:9-13 NKJV 9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner— not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” James 4:4 NKJV 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. I John 2:15 NKJV 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. I Corinthians 9:19-23 NKJV 19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. Deuteronomy 13:13 NKJV 13 ‘Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” ’—which you have not known—