King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 6:14 Mean?

2 Corinthians 6:14 in the King James Version says “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and wh... — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

12

Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

13

Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

14

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

15

And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers (Μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις, Mē ginesthe heterozygountes apistois)—Heterozygountes (present participle of heterozygeō) appears only here in the New Testament. It literally means 'being yoked with a different kind' or 'mismatched yoking,' alluding to Deuteronomy 22:10: 'Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.' Apistos (unbeliever) doesn't necessarily mean atheist but anyone who hasn't trusted Christ for salvation. The present imperative with means 'stop becoming' or 'do not continue to be' unequally yoked.

For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? (τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ; tis gar metochē dikaiosynē kai anomia?)—Paul begins five rapid-fire rhetorical questions proving the incompatibility of believers with unbelievers. Metochē means partnership, sharing, or participation. Dikaiosynē (righteousness) versus anomia (lawlessness, unrighteousness) represents fundamental moral incompatibility. The expected answer: 'None!'

And what communion hath light with darkness? (τίς δὲ κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος; tis de koinōnia phōti pros skotos?)—Koinōnia (fellowship, communion, partnership) asks about shared life and intimate association. Phōs (light) versus skotos (darkness) expresses absolute spiritual antithesis (cf. John 1:5; 8:12; Eph 5:8; 1 John 1:5-7). Light and darkness cannot coexist or cooperate.

This abrupt section (vv.14-7:1) addresses the Corinthians' compromising entanglements with paganism. While Paul isn't commanding social isolation (1 Cor 5:9-10), he prohibits binding partnerships that compromise Christian distinctiveness. The 'unequal yoke' applies to marriage, business partnerships, religious syncretism, and any covenant relationship requiring shared convictions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Corinth was a notoriously immoral pagan city with temples to multiple deities, including Aphrodite's temple with its cult prostitution. The Corinthian church struggled with maintaining separation from pagan practices (1 Cor 8-10 addresses meat offered to idols; 1 Cor 5-6 addresses sexual immorality). Paul calls them to maintain spiritual distinctiveness without becoming isolationist.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what relationships or partnerships might you be 'unequally yoked' in ways that compromise your Christian convictions or testimony?
  2. How do you balance Paul's call to be separate with Jesus's command to be 'in the world' as salt and light?
  3. What specific entanglements with 'unrighteousness' or 'darkness' is the Holy Spirit convicting you to sever?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 16 words
Μὴ1 of 16

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

γίνεσθε2 of 16

Be ye

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἑτεροζυγοῦντες3 of 16

unequally yoked together

G2086

to yoke up differently, i.e., (figuratively) to associate discordantly

ἀπίστοις·4 of 16

with unbelievers

G571

(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)

τίς5 of 16

what

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

γὰρ6 of 16

for

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

μετοχὴ7 of 16

fellowship

G3352

participation, i.e., intercourse

δικαιοσύνῃ8 of 16

hath righteousness

G1343

equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification

καὶ9 of 16

with

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀνομίᾳ10 of 16

unrighteousness

G458

illegality, i.e., violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness

τίς11 of 16

what

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

δὲ12 of 16

and

G1161

but, and, etc

κοινωνία13 of 16

communion

G2842

partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction

φωτὶ14 of 16

hath light

G5457

luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)

πρὸς15 of 16

with

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

σκότος16 of 16

darkness

G4655

shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 6:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 6:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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