Evangelical Theological College of the Philippines BS 2106 New Testament Survey III Verse Cabatingan, Instructor Reaction Paper:

Unequally yoked

September 6, 2012 Alfredo Gabriel P. Monasterio Jr. Box# 15 Grade:

Unequally Yoked Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Cor. 6:14, ESV The word unequally yoked (heterozugeo, 2086) is translated as to come under an unequal or different yoke, to be unequally yoked; to have fellowship with one who is not an equal. The word yoked is used in the Bible at least five times (Num. 25:3, Num. 25:5, 1 Sam. 6:10, Psa. 106:28, 2 Cor. 6:14). This writers personal observation is that three out of five times, the Bible speaks of yoked with idolatry. The context of the entire chapter is not specifically talking about marriage and looking at the background of the Corinthian believers, Paul was talking of a lifestyle of a Christian who still participates in the lifestyle of the unbelievers in a sense of partaking activities such as idol worship (The Greeks were worshipping different gods in their temples), sexual immorality (temple worship involves prostitutes), and eating food being offered to idols. The word in itself speaks of Christians wrongly committed to a partner holding different values that run contrary to ones faith. This means that it can be a marriage union, a club, a church, a business partner, or even an establishment. The verse can be practically applied not only in marriage but in other aspects of our lives as well. We should avoid being yoked in a sense of being tied up or caught up in the things that would lead us away from God. This does not mean isolating ourselves from unbelievers but instead make an effort to make our lifestyle be in line with what we teach by not doing what the unbelievers are doing. That is why the following verses are also important as it talks of progression: unbelievers, lawlessness, darkness

and finally, Belial. Being yoked or being associated with unbelievers will lead us to be linked or hooked up to lawlessness (in other translations: unrighteousness). In the end, this is associated with Belial. One can claim to be a Christian yet live a life that is unacceptable before God. This leads us to the discussion that unequally yoked meant a lifestyle and not just a Christian by church affiliation. On the other hand, if we are to use verses about marrying an unbeliever, what we should use is the text in the following: Deut. 7:13; Josh. 23:12; Ezra 9:2; Neh. 13:25; 1 Cor. 7:39. The Bible speaks of intermarriage of a different faith which leads to sin. The Bible is also full of examples of those who intermarried such as the Israelites who married Moabite women, Samson, Solomon, and a lot more. We also see the consequences of their sin and the Bible is not silent about it.