2 Corinthians 6:14

[Naomi]

What does 2 Corinthians 6:14 mean in today's society?

Quote:

2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)

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

Should it apply to being with Christians, marriage, denomination, socially, etc.?

[joeb]

We're also told to be in the world, but not of the world.

I'm sort of unsure what you mean by "being with Christians". As to the rest of your question....

It most definitely applies to marriage, but in the light of looking for a marriage partner. Once married it's another story. Our lives are to be the witness our existing partner sees, but if they want out because of the differences we aren't to stand in their way. It also applies to business for getting into business with someone who has different ethical standards than the committed Christian is a recipe for disaster. Socially, well, we are to be friendly, helpful, caring, etc... but let people know what we stand for when the situation is appropriate. Not to condemn them, but just to let our light shine. Does that mean not going to parties? I guess that depends on what kind of party and how gracefully, once there, we can decline to participate in inappropriate activities and witness. We're to go to any situation with one idea in mind--to show who Jesus is.

I don't know if the above helps or not, but it's how I view things.

[phkrause]

What does 2 Corinthians 6:14 mean in today's society?

I'd say it means pretty much the same.

Quote:

2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)

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

Here's how the CJB translates that verse: Do not yoke yourselves together in a team with unbelievers. For how can righteousness and lawlessness be partners? What fellowship does light have with darkness?

[debbym]

i think it can be any way we become bound, by marital contract, by business partnerships, and any binding circumstance where you will may a party to wrong by association.

signing contracts for others who will say they will pay you, borrowing money for others, their are all kinds of ways we can end up involved in costly ways with people who have no morals.

i have also thought being unequally yoked in many different way is also not a good idea. as in marriage to someone extremely older or younger then you, from another culture and language, extreme difference in education, and income also. but that is my opinion not what this text is speaking too.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

Loc: This Side of Calvary

That's a positive but it does cause a person to wonder what the minimal obligation allows. Probably none I would think if we're looking for zero difficulty in this life. Is that a reasonable expectation?

OTOH we're also this side of judgment day. Still much room for improvement for this happy wanderer. Maybe we need the time and that would make it also a positive.

Just

God cares!

[Textus Receptus]

It can't mean not associating with non-believers. Jesus obviously went the most unsavory of sinners. I believe it has to with marriage. But I do believe that it may also mean one can consciously join groups that support a lifestyle or dogma that is contra to the word of God. One example perhaps may be supporting GLBT groups, and the like.

It is hard being a Christian when your partner is not. Moreover, it is hard being a Christian and being with someone that claims they are even though they do not understand biblical truths, the sabbath, and the need to extricate oneself from the world.

[olger]

The Bible also says to not participate in other men's sins (1 Timothy 5:22).

That is a companion passage perhaps.

G

[CoAspen]

Your remarks are close to what the SDA Commentary has to say on those verses. Reading all of the verses surrounding 6:14 and the commentary on them, I think one can see some very practical counsel. Be very careful of what/who/whom/situation the christian becomes involved in/with. Who or what will control you in the association? Difficulties of being a believer and being involved with an unbeliever. It's about all aspects of life, not just a single area. Common sense.

[Naomi]

Thank you for your responses. Perhaps I should have explained in greater detail my reason for the post. It is the nucleus for my Sabbath sermon; which is, at this late date, still a work in progress.. I have a special reason for this particular subject, looking and thinking outside-of-the-box therefore looking for thoughts and experiences to enhance, yet make it relevant in today's world.

[phkrause]

Good luck with the sermon Naomi. I will pray all goes well, because this is an interesting subject. CoAspen makes some very good points.

[Naomi]

Thank you Peter, et all. It is pretty well completed ... praying that the Holy Spirit will lead and prepare my heart and those of the congregation.

[M. T. Cross]

i think it can be any way we become bound, by marital contract, by business partnerships, and any binding circumstance where you will may a party to wrong by association.

signing contracts for others who will say they will pay you, borrowing money for others, their are all kinds of ways we can end up involved in costly ways with people who have no morals.

i have also thought being unequally yoked in many different way is also not a good idea. as in marriage to someone extremely older or younger then you, from another culture and language, extreme difference in education, and income also. but that is my opinion not what this text is speaking too.

But is there not a big difference between unbelievers and people that have no morals? Lots of "believers" are sadly short on morals as well.

[lazarus]

Thank you for your responses. Perhaps I should have explained in greater detail my reason for the post. It is the nucleus for my Sabbath sermon; which is, at this late date, still a work in progress.. I have a special reason for this particular subject, looking and thinking outside-of-the-box therefore looking for thoughts and experiences to enhance, yet make it relevant in today's world.

Wow, I'm preaching on this scripture tomorrow too. My sermon title: 'There are some things that just don't Match". Probably the longest sermon title I've ever had.

I've found that the context of those verses is key. In the first part of the chapter he is talking about ministry. It the context of the way he lives his life for Jesus being in any kind of "yoke' with unbelievers is a mismatch. Like socks and sandals, pickles and ice-cream , some things don't go together.

This text is not about marriage but is applicable to marriage. This text is not saying we should not go to our atheist nephews' birthday bash but it is saying we should not go into business with him because our values are different. Likewise we should not date/marry unbelievers for the same reasons.

Enjoy delivering the Word!

[Stan]

would be nice to have the sermon posted here....

[debbym]

Quote:

But is there not a big difference between unbelievers and people that have no morals? Lots of "believers" are sadly short on morals as well.

M.T. this is absolutely true, we are all equally human, but within the church family there is hopefully a measure of accountability.

so we as human beings are to guard our hearts, and enter binding relationships carefully, whether we are in a religion or not.

and it is not the morals we think about, or talk about that we have, but the morals we act on.

[Naomi]

Wow, I'm preaching on this scripture tomorrow too. My sermon title: 'There are some things that just don't Match". Probably the longest sermon title I've ever had.

Interesting ... it sounds as though we have taken similar approaches to lead to the same conclusions. However, I do like your analogies.

The only thing I can find wrong with your title is that I didn't think of it ... mine is a bit simpler... 'Birds Of A Feather'

Have a blessed Sabbath

[BobRyan]

What does 2 Corinthians 6:14 mean in today's society?

Quote:

2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)

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

Should it apply to being with Christians, marriage, denomination, socially, etc.?

I don't think SDAs should marry non-Christians or non-SDAs.

Too many differences - and there is the problem of raising Children in a home where parents are divided about the Gospel.

Some people find themselves in that situation due to no fault of their own - and so in many cases I believe God sends special grace to help soften the sharp edges of that problem.

in Christ,

Bob

[Naomi]

[Gail]

I get such a visual when I read the word "yoked".

In the Old Testament it was forbidden to yoke two different animals together. The differences in gait would make for much suffering on the part of both. Yet there was no prohibition against two differing species being together, say, in the field or shelter. They could share some environment but in mercy not be yoked.

That's how I see it with us, too. To be too closely tied with a person or item (like a company) that is so different from yourself could very well grate against both parties.

[M. T. Cross]

I get such a visual when I read the word "yoked".

In the Old Testament it was forbidden to yoke two different animals together. The differences in gait would make for much suffering on the part of both. Yet there was no prohibition against two differing species being together, say, in the field or shelter. They could share some environment but in mercy not be yoked.

That's how I see it with us, too. To be too closely tied with a person or item (like a company) that is so different from yourself could very well grate against both parties.

I guess in reality most the times that is the case. Its to bad though that people can't more often focus more on the similarities than the differences, and let the differences grow to be more of a compliment than a hindrance.

[Naomi]

Quote:

To be too closely tied with a person or item (like a company) that is so different from yourself could very well grate against both parties.

Yes, in theory that is good and it would be nice. However, in a business partnership, even two soccer coaches for the same team would have a great deal of difficulty if their ethics and morals were quite different. In time one would probbly become weary of working towards a common solution. And, what if the person with low ethics or morals happened to be such a strong personality and for various reasons manages to be the overcomer and wear the other down? What good would come from such an union?

If you are not strong enough to raise a person to your standards than by close association you well may be walking on dangerous grounds.

Birds of A Feather Flock Together

It's late and I am tired, this may not be coherant.

[debbym]

i agree Naomi, bad company spoils good manners,

we do not have the power to influence others, to renew them or lift them up. Only The Holy Spirit has the power to do this. and we are not the Holy Spirit, we are not God.

water sinks to it's own level.