Ep. 317. 2 Corinthians 6-7 | Unequally Yolked

EPISODE 317

UNEQUALLY YOKED: 2 CORINTHIANS 6-7

Paul returns here to the language of "commending" one's self, or, some translations will say, "boasting." Remember, the false teachers have been commending themselves and boasting about themselves. Paul decides to show the Corinthians how an Apostle truly commends themselves to the saints. "By great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger, etc." Paul starts off with a list that is contrary to what one might typically boast of. What proves Paul as a genuine Apostle is his willingness to suffer for the cause of Christ. He will revisit this very same point in chapter Eleven.

In light of the topic of conversation in 2 Corinthians, I find it interesting that "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers" has been taught as a text dealing with marriage. Nothing before or after this statement in 2 Corinthians would indicate that Paul is addressing anything about marriage. Instead, Paul reminds the people that they should not join themselves with false and unbelieving teachers. Unfortunately, this text can be taught as though it is talking about marriage, and most people will miss it entirely because we have yet to be taught to examine the context. It is easier to take a single verse out of context than it is to make an effort to know and understand the context.

Now, some will argue, "Ryan, couldn't this also be a warning against marrying an unbeliever?" If you are asking me if I think you should marry a person who is not a believer then my answer will always be "NO." I can make that case from multiple places in the Bible. I will not, however, use 2 Corinthians 6 to make that point since that is not at all the issue Paul is discussing there in context. The moment we decide to use Scripture with no regard for context is the moment we lose sight of the purpose and intent of the Scripture as a whole.

ADDITIONAL READINGS: Isaiah 49:8; Jeremiah 23:28; Leviticus 26: 12; Ezekiel 37:27; Isaiah 52:11; 2 Samuel 7: 11