2 Corinthians 6:14–16 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Paul’s charge to not yoke with unbelievers directs the people of the congregation in Corinth not to connect with the people and ways of this world in a manner that impacts the direction of the church and the people of the church. Those who come to faith in Jesus affirm Him as Savior and Lord. The affirmation of the Lordship of Jesus indicates they surrender to His authority. Obeying His will and ways now characterizes their lives. Being yoked to an unbeliever or any quality of worldliness leads people in ungodly ways.
Some raise an objection that we can’t influence people with the gospel if we don’t connect with them. But there is a difference between connecting with unbelievers to communicate the gospel to them and connecting with unbelievers or worldly mindsets in a manner that impacts our commitment to the will and ways of our Lord. The reality that worldly compromises are a constant danger leads Paul to ask five rhetorical questions. “For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?” The answer is no partnership! “Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” The answer is no fellowship! “What accord has Christ with Belial?” The answer is no accord! “Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” The answer is no portion! “What agreement has the temple of God with idols?” The answer is no agreement!
The authority of Jesus Christ in our lives and our church must have a guiding influence on the people of this world. The world’s ways in unbelievers must not have a guiding effect on the people of God. Compromising these commands by thinking Christians will find “gospel” credibility through adopting worldly sensitivities is foolishness. When we ride in a worldly Uber, along with the concerns of social justice, critical race theory, reproductive rights, LGBT+ groups, or any other manifestation of the spirit of the age, it puts us in a vehicle headed for destruction, and we can’t stop it, let alone demand a gospel U-turn.
Paul’s conclusion of this passage indicates what we must do. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:17–7:1) Let us pledge our loyalty to the authority of Jesus Christ alone!
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