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2 Corinthians 6 · a question people ask

"Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers" (6:14). What kind of yoke does the verse mean?

In the text

The verse doesn't say. It goes on with questions: "for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?" (6:14), and three more questions follow (6:15-16). Then come "Therefore" (6:17) and words the letter gives as the Lord's: "Come out from among them, and be separate" (6:17). The verses don't name what yoke they mean, and these notes say no more. They apply the verse to no one's marriage, friendship, work or church.

The verses

“Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what portion does a believer have with an unbeliever? What 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.” Therefore “‘Come out from among them, and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing. I will receive you.”
2 Corinthians 6:14-17 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 6: Our heart is enlarged

"Our heart is enlarged" (6:11) and "you also open your hearts" (6:13) have one Greek verb behind enlarged and open. And 6:11 is the only verse where the letter calls its readers Corinthians.

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Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions