Topical Encyclopedia
The term "unequally" is most commonly associated with the biblical phrase "unequally yoked," which appears in the New Testament. This concept is primarily derived from
2 Corinthians 6:14, where the Apostle Paul instructs believers: "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?" . This passage serves as a foundational text for understanding the principle of being unequally yoked, particularly in the context of relationships and partnerships.
Biblical Context and MeaningThe imagery of a yoke is drawn from agricultural practices, where a yoke is a wooden beam used to pair two animals together for plowing or pulling a load. For effective work, the animals need to be of similar strength and type. Applying this metaphor spiritually, Paul warns against forming binding relationships with those who do not share the same faith and values, as it can lead to spiritual discord and compromise.
Applications in RelationshipsThe principle of not being unequally yoked is often applied to marriage, suggesting that a believer should marry someone who shares their Christian faith. This interpretation is supported by the broader biblical teaching on marriage, where unity in faith is seen as essential for a harmonious and God-honoring relationship. The Old Testament also provides examples of the consequences of marrying outside the faith, such as Solomon's marriages to foreign women, which led him astray (
1 Kings 11:1-4).
Broader ImplicationsBeyond marriage, the concept of being unequally yoked extends to other partnerships, including business ventures and close friendships. The underlying principle is that believers should be cautious about forming alliances that could compromise their values or lead them away from their commitment to Christ. The call to holiness and separation from worldly influences is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in passages like
James 4:4, which warns against friendship with the world.
Theological ConsiderationsTheologically, the idea of being unequally yoked underscores the distinctiveness of the Christian community. Believers are called to be "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (
1 Peter 2:9), set apart for God's purposes. This distinctiveness is not about isolation but about maintaining a clear identity and witness in a world that often opposes Christian values.
Practical WisdomWhile the directive to avoid being unequally yoked is clear, practical wisdom is required in its application. Believers are called to engage with the world and be salt and light (
Matthew 5:13-16), which involves forming relationships with non-believers. However, the caution is against forming partnerships that could lead to spiritual compromise or hinder one's walk with God.
In summary, the biblical teaching on being unequally yoked serves as a guideline for maintaining spiritual integrity and faithfulness in relationships and partnerships. It calls believers to discernment and commitment to their identity in Christ while engaging with the world around them.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In an unequal manner.
Greek
2086. heterozugeo -- to be yoked up differently, ie to be...... to be yoked up differently, ie to be
unequally yoked. Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: heterozugeo Phonetic Spelling: (het-er-od-zoog-eh'-o) Short
...Library
Again, if any one not Having Charity...
... For the sacrament is equally holy, in virtue of its own excellence, both in those
who areunequally just, and in those who areunequally unjust. Footnotes:...
Summary of the Second Part of the Foregoing System.
... According to the one, though the divine favours areunequally distributed, no man
is ever required to render an account of more than he receives....
Match-Making.
... "Be notunequally yoked together with unbelievers." The positive command
here is, that Christians should marry only in the Lord....
Communion Broken --Restoration
... Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself an enemy of GOD."
"Be notunequally yoked with unbelievers; for what fellowship have...
A Drama in Five Acts
... whether, again, supposing a person became a Christian after marriage, it was lawful
for him to separate from the person with whom he wasunequally yoked; and...
The Fancies of Manich??us Concerning Matter.
... to night. But in the rest of the elements, both animal and vegetable, in
those the divine power isunequally mingled. And therefore...
The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia.
... such ill-assorted connexions upon the religion of a family, should excite the attention
of Christians to the exhortation, "not to beunequally yoked together...
The Second Epistle to the Corinthians
... This is followed up by an appeal of the apostle to the Corinthians that they should
give him place in their hearts, and should not beunequally yoked together...
The People among whom we Labour.
... MUHAMMADANS. All over Northern India"I may say all over India"we find the
followers of Muhammad. They are veryunequally distributed....
Argument. --That God is the Founder of all Things, their Lord and...
... in a balance, and the groves in scales," [5026] that is, by the sure test of divine
arrangement; and lest its greatness, lyingunequally, should easily fall...
Thesaurus
Unequally (1 Occurrence)...Unequally (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians 6:14 Don't be
unequally yoked with
unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity?
...Unequal (5 Occurrences)
... un-e'-kwal: Ezekiel 18:25, 29 for lo' thakhan, "not weighed," "illogical." "Unequally"
in 2 Corinthians 6:14, in the phrase "unequally yoked," heterozugeo, is...
Yoked (10 Occurrences)
... Yoked (10 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 6:14 Don't beunequally yoked with
unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity?...
Unequaled (2 Occurrences)
Unbelievers (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 6:14 Don't beunequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship
have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?...
Unrighteousness (57 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye notunequally yoked together with unbelievers: for
what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?...
Unerring (1 Occurrence)
Measure (269 Occurrences)
... 23. (vi) To make a measurement or measurements. 24. (vi) To result, or turn out,
on measuring; as, the grain measures well; the pieces measureunequally. 25....
Mismated (1 Occurrence)
... Mismated (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians 6:14 Don't beunequally yoked with
unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity?...
Iniquity (299 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 6:14 Don't beunequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship
have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?...
Resources
What does it mean to be unequally yoked? | GotQuestions.orgIs it right for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should I be looking for in a wife? What does the Bible say about finding a wife? | GotQuestions.orgUnequally: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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