Read & explore together
Do Not Be Unequally Yoked
This passage warns believers against joined partnerships that do not fit with belonging to God. It uses strong contrasts, then ends with God’s words about his presence, his call to be separate, and his family welcome.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
These verses are written as direct teaching in a letter. The argument moves through a series of questions about things that do not share agreement or fellowship. It then says believers are God’s temple and quotes God’s words about dwelling with his people, receiving them, and calling them his children.
2 Corinthians 6:14–18Main takeaway
This passage teaches that those who belong to God must not join themselves in ways that conflict with being his people.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01An unequal yokeThe command comes first: “Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” Verse 14 explains it by asking what fellowship righteousness has with iniquity, and what fellowship light has with darkness.
Explanation
The command comes first: “Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers.” Verse 14 explains it by asking what fellowship righteousness has with iniquity, and what fellowship light has with darkness. The warning is about a joined relationship that does not fit because the things compared do not belong together.
02More contrastsVerse 15 continues the same pattern. It asks what agreement Christ has with Belial, and what portion a believer has with an unbeliever.
Explanation
Verse 15 continues the same pattern. It asks what agreement Christ has with Belial, and what portion a believer has with an unbeliever. The verse makes its point through opposites. These pairings are presented as having no true shared agreement or common portion.
03God’s temple and God’s peopleVerse 16 adds another comparison: the temple of God and idols. Then it gives the reason, “you are a temple of the living God.”
Explanation
Verse 16 adds another comparison: the temple of God and idols. Then it gives the reason, “you are a temple of the living God.” The quoted words explain this identity: God says he will dwell in them, walk in them, be their God, and they will be his people.
04Separate and receivedBecause of that, verses 17-18 say, “Come out from among them, and be separate,” and, “Touch no unclean thing.”
Explanation
Because of that, verses 17-18 say, “Come out from among them, and be separate,” and, “Touch no unclean thing.” The passage then gives God’s words of welcome: “I will receive you,” and, “I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters.”
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does verse 14 explain the command not to be unequally yoked?
Notice the two comparisons in the verse: righteousness with iniquity, and light with darkness.
02Which pairs in verse 15 are used to show lack of agreement or shared portion?
Read the verse in order and name both pairings exactly as they appear.
03What does God say he will do for his people in verses 16-18?
List the statements about dwelling, being their God, receiving them, and calling them sons and daughters.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
2 Corinthians 6:14–18
14Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
15What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever?
16What agreement does a temple of God have with idols? For you are a temple of the living God. Even as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk in them. I will be their God and they will be my people.”
17Therefore “ ‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.
18I will be to you a Father. You will be to me sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”