Consider a vehicle that uses bus tires on one side and private car tires on the other. When it is started, it will swirl to one side and will not be able to move forward in a straight line. “Yoked together” comes from a scene in plowing, in which a farmer fits a wooden pole to the necks of two animals in order to pull the plough. If two different kinds of animals are used, one of them is likely to be faster and the other slower, one may be taller and the other shorter, or one may be stronger and the other weaker. That way, the farmland cannot be plowed properly. Deuteronomy 22:10 stipulates: “Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.” When believers enter into marriage, the most important thing is to unite with one “in Christ” who shares the same faith, outlook on life and values (Ephesians 5:31-32).

       Some in the church at Corinth thought that as long as the soul is saved, it did not matter what they did with the body. All that mattered to them was to get what they wanted. As such, they lived in ways their hearts desired. They followed the flow of society and indulged in it. However, the community of believers as the temple of the living God needs a corresponding, renewed, holy identity. The body, heart and soul of each individual should be consecrated for the LORD’s use.

       Where Paul said, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14), there was the meaning of “do not associate.” The teaching does not mean that believers should isolate themselves from the world or refrain from any exchanges with unbelievers. “Do not associate” indicates that what is discussed is not something to be taken lightly. In the text that follows, Paul talks about “fellowship,” which highlights the mismatch and differences between believers and unbelievers.

       “Yoked together with an unbeliever” also means “mismatched.” According to what Paul mentions in 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1, even if this portion of Scripture is not only about marriage, but it also certainly applies to marriage. Among a host of “fellowships” and partnership relationships (such as businesses), the mutual connection in marriage is the deepest, and its impact the most immense. In the Greek culture at that time, “yoking together” also referred to marriage. It will present great difficulties to move forward if a believer chooses to match up with an unbeliever and enter a binding relationship while each pursues a different course of life.

        The Bible does not require married couples of a believer and an unbeliever to separate. For brothers and sisters who come to faith after getting married and whose spouses are not yet believers, I know they have made every effort to bring their spouses to Christ. I know they all want their other halves to follow the same direction in matters of ultimate importance, which is the everlasting life. May God give you strength!

       For those who are in Christ and still choose to enter marriage as mentioned above, pastors and leaders will certainly advise them about biblical teachings. They will also point out and take church disciplinary actions. But equally important is that we need the heart of a spiritual father (2 Corinthians 6:13). We need to help and walk with these confused, lost and hurt spiritual children. At the same time, other brothers and sisters should not be onlookers who would only comment. They should care for, pray for and walk with these brothers and sisters to show that we all are consecrated as the temple of the living God.