2 Corinthians 6 14

2 Corinthians 6:14 kjv

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14 nkjv

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14 niv

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14 esv

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14 nlt

Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6 verses

2 Corinthians 6 14 Meaning

The verse, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" is a strong imperative against entering into deep, binding associations with those who do not share the Christian faith. It forbids a misalignment of spiritual purpose and ethical values that would compromise a believer's commitment to Christ, presenting rhetorical questions that highlight the fundamental incompatibility between faith and unfaith.

2 Corinthians 6 14 Context

This verse is situated within a broader passage (2 Cor 6:11-7:1) where Paul passionately appeals to the Corinthians for mutual affection and spiritual integrity. He has just expressed his deep love and open heart to them (2 Cor 6:11-13) despite their perceived reservations. Immediately following verse 14, Paul continues with a series of rhetorical questions, contrasting belief with unbelief, Christ with Belial, and God's temple with idols, culminating in a call to come out and be separate, promising divine fatherhood. The injunction thus acts as a pivotal warning, laying down a boundary for Christian conduct that prevents compromise with pagan influences prevalent in Corinthian society, reinforcing their distinct identity as God's people.

Word Analysis

• Do not be unequally yoked (Me ginesthe heterozugountes - μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες): This is a negative command using a present imperative, meaning "stop becoming" or "do not continue to be."
  • Me (μὴ): "Not," an absolute prohibition.
  • Ginesthe (γίνεσθε): "Become" or "be," indicating a process or state.
  • Heterozugountes (ἑτεροζυγοῦντες): "Unequally yoked," "unequally weighted together." This compound Greek word literally refers to placing different kinds of animals under the same yoke for plowing (Deut 22:10, LXX uses heterozygeis). Metaphorically, it implies incongruous partners joined together in a binding association. The image signifies an imbalance of strength, nature, or direction that hinders purpose, causing strife or inefficiency, and preventing proper spiritual progression.
• with unbelievers (apistois - ἀπίστοις): "Those without faith," "unfaithful ones." This specifically designates individuals who do not profess belief in Christ, distinct from general sinners or those of different social standings. The contrast is explicitly theological and spiritual.
• For what partnership has (Tis gar metoche - Τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ): "For what participation/sharing does there have?" A rhetorical question expecting a negative answer: "none."
  • Metoche (μετοχὴ): "Sharing," "partnership," "participation," "communion." It suggests shared purpose, interest, and destiny.
• righteousness with lawlessness? (dikaiosyne kai anomia? - δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ;): The nature of Christ and believers versus rejection of God's moral order.
  • Dikaiosyne (δικαιοσύνῃ): "Righteousness," uprightness, moral rectitude, the quality of being right in God's eyes through Christ.
  • Anomia (ἀνομίᾳ): "Lawlessness," sin, transgression of divine law, absence of ethical principle.
• Or what fellowship has (E tis koinonia - ἢ τίς κοινωνία): "Or what fellowship/commonality?" Another rhetorical question, emphasizing absolute division.
  • Koinonia (κοινωνία): "Fellowship," "communion," "intimate sharing," "common ground." This goes deeper than partnership, implying a deep, intimate bond or shared identity.
• light with darkness? (photi pros skotos? - φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος;): This is a profound biblical antithesis.
  • Photi (φωτὶ): "Light," referring to divine truth, goodness, holiness, purity, and ultimately God Himself (1 Jn 1:5) and Christ (Jn 1:4-9). Believers are called children of light (Eph 5:8).
  • Skotos (σκότος): "Darkness," referring to evil, sin, ignorance, spiritual blindness, Satan's domain (Col 1:13).

Words-group analysis:

• Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers: This forms the direct injunction, a principle applying to any deeply bonding alliance or commitment (e.g., business, close friendships, political alliances, marital bonds where faith is fundamental to the union), which by its nature or consequence, compromises the believer's fidelity to God and spiritual walk.
• For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?: These two rhetorical questions powerfully underline the reason for the prohibition, presenting the fundamental, irreconcilable theological and moral opposition between the essence of Christian faith and that which rejects it. These are not merely differences in opinion but absolute contrasts of nature and allegiance.

2 Corinthians 6 14 Bonus section

The command here is not a call for physical isolation from the world, which Paul himself explicitly denies elsewhere (1 Cor 5:9-10), acknowledging that believers must live in the world to minister to it. Rather, it concerns deep, intimate unions or alliances (metochē, koinōnia) that necessitate a sharing of fundamental values, loyalties, and life purposes. These unions, if entered with unbelievers, inevitably create a tension of loyalties and a spiritual compromise, making it difficult, if not impossible, to consistently honor God and live out one's faith fully without friction or surrender. The spiritual integrity of the believer and the purity of the church community are at stake.

2 Corinthians 6 14 Commentary

Paul's prohibition against being "unequally yoked" is a foundational call for believers to maintain their distinct identity and purity in Christ. It stems from the Old Testament principle of keeping different kinds separate, applied spiritually. The essence is that believers, who are united with Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, share a divine nature that is incompatible with the unbelieving world's spiritual and ethical standards. Entering into deeply binding alliances (not just casual contact or ministry) with unbelievers where spiritual and moral values must be compromised for unity inevitably pulls the believer away from God, diluting their faith and distorting their witness. This principle applies to any relationship or endeavor that requires a fundamental shared vision, values, and purpose, which cannot exist without a shared faith in Christ. For example, a business partnership with conflicting ethical standards, or a marriage where core spiritual beliefs are divergent and threaten spiritual unity.