2 Corinthians 6:14

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

Μὴ not G3361
Μὴ not
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 1 of 16
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
γίνεσθε Be ye G1096
γίνεσθε Be ye
Strong's: G1096
Word #: 2 of 16
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
ἑτεροζυγοῦντες unequally yoked together G2086
ἑτεροζυγοῦντες unequally yoked together
Strong's: G2086
Word #: 3 of 16
to yoke up differently, i.e., (figuratively) to associate discordantly
ἀπίστοις· with unbelievers G571
ἀπίστοις· with unbelievers
Strong's: G571
Word #: 4 of 16
(actively) disbelieving, i.e., without christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing)
τίς what G5101
τίς what
Strong's: G5101
Word #: 5 of 16
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
γὰρ for G1063
γὰρ for
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 6 of 16
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
μετοχὴ fellowship G3352
μετοχὴ fellowship
Strong's: G3352
Word #: 7 of 16
participation, i.e., intercourse
δικαιοσύνῃ hath righteousness G1343
δικαιοσύνῃ hath righteousness
Strong's: G1343
Word #: 8 of 16
equity (of character or act); specially (christian) justification
καὶ with G2532
καὶ with
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 9 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀνομίᾳ unrighteousness G458
ἀνομίᾳ unrighteousness
Strong's: G458
Word #: 10 of 16
illegality, i.e., violation of law or (genitive case) wickedness
τίς what G5101
τίς what
Strong's: G5101
Word #: 11 of 16
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
δὲ and G1161
δὲ and
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 12 of 16
but, and, etc
κοινωνία communion G2842
κοινωνία communion
Strong's: G2842
Word #: 13 of 16
partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction
φωτὶ hath light G5457
φωτὶ hath light
Strong's: G5457
Word #: 14 of 16
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
πρὸς with G4314
πρὸς with
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 15 of 16
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,
σκότος darkness G4655
σκότος darkness
Strong's: G4655
Word #: 16 of 16
shadiness, i.e., obscurity (literally or figuratively)

Analysis & 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 mē 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.

Historical 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.

Questions for Reflection