Is it a sin to marry an unbeliever?

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claysmithr

Guest
#41
If foolishness is a sin, then yes.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#42
No and 2nd Corinthians 6 is about working together and not marriage....."WE then as workers together....."<---context
 

mcubed

Senior Member
Dec 20, 2013
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#43
The Scripture say do not be unequally yoked. To not be saved is to be a enemy of G-d. What peace can someone have knowinking their spouse is going to hell; unless they do not care... Do not have children... The world has enough screwed up kids going to hell!!! May/Maynot be a sin but the Scriptures and common sense are CLEAR about it!!!
 

Lewiz

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2018
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#44
No and 2nd Corinthians 6 is about working together and not marriage....."WE then as workers together....."<---context
If friendships & business relationships are being unequally yoked, which is true, how much more the marriage relationship which is the closest relationship of all?!?
Verse 14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. This is closely connected in sense with the previous verse. The apostle is there stating the nature of the remuneration or recompense which he asks for all the love which he had shown to them, He here says, that one mode of remuneration would be to yield obedience to his commands, and to separate themselves from all improper alliance with unbelievers. "Make me this return for my love. Love me also; and as a proof of your affection, be not improperly united with unbelievers. Listen to me as a father addressing his children, and secure your own happiness and piety by not being unequally yoked with those who are not Christians." The word which is here used (ἑτεροζυγέω) means, properly, to bear a different yoke, to be yoked heterogeneously.Robinson, (Lex.) It is applied to the custom of yoking animals of different kinds together, (Passow;) and as used here means not to mingle together, or be united with unbelievers. It is implied in the use of the word that there is a dissimilarity between believers and unbelievers so great, that it is as improper for them to mingle together as it is to yoke animals of different kinds and species. The ground of the injunction is, that there is a difference between Christians and those who are not so great as to render such unions improper and injurious. The direction here refers, doubtless, to all kinds of improper connexions with those who were unbelievers. It has been usually supposed by commentators to refer particularly to marriage. But there is no reason for confining it to marriage.
Barnes' Notes on the New Testament.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#45
If friendships & business relationships are being unequally yoked, which is true, how much more the marriage relationship which is the closest relationship of all?!?
Verse 14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. This is closely connected in sense with the previous verse. The apostle is there stating the nature of the remuneration or recompense which he asks for all the love which he had shown to them, He here says, that one mode of remuneration would be to yield obedience to his commands, and to separate themselves from all improper alliance with unbelievers. "Make me this return for my love. Love me also; and as a proof of your affection, be not improperly united with unbelievers. Listen to me as a father addressing his children, and secure your own happiness and piety by not being unequally yoked with those who are not Christians." The word which is here used (ἑτεροζυγέω) means, properly, to bear a different yoke, to be yoked heterogeneously.Robinson, (Lex.) It is applied to the custom of yoking animals of different kinds together, (Passow;) and as used here means not to mingle together, or be united with unbelievers. It is implied in the use of the word that there is a dissimilarity between believers and unbelievers so great, that it is as improper for them to mingle together as it is to yoke animals of different kinds and species. The ground of the injunction is, that there is a difference between Christians and those who are not so great as to render such unions improper and injurious. The direction here refers, doubtless, to all kinds of improper connexions with those who were unbelievers. It has been usually supposed by commentators to refer particularly to marriage. But there is no reason for confining it to marriage.
Barnes' Notes on the New Testament.
Paul covers marriage in 1st Corinthians 7, 2nd Corinthians 6 is about working together for Christ.....We then as workers together is the context.....regardless of what "Barnes" has to say abut it.....CONTEXT, CONTEXT and I say CONTEXT overrides any and all commentaries!
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
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#46
There is a difference between willingly choosing to marry someone who is unsaved, and two people who are both unsaved getting married, and then one getting saved. That is the situation in 1 Cor. 7.

"[FONT=&quot]To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.[/FONT][FONT=&quot]15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?" 1 Cor. 7:12-16

I have a friend who was not saved, and married her atheist husband. She got saved a few years later, and has the gift of evangelism. She leads people to the Lord almost every day. But, so far, not her husband. So, my friend has committed to be the most loving and kindest wife possible. That is her witness to her husband. I personally have been praying for him for over 13 years. I have talked with him repeatedly about Christ. My husband has talked to him about how Jesus changed his life.

This man has some major issues in his life, from when he was in an accident with a bunch of other teens in a pickup truck which crashed, and he was the only one who survived, with some major injuries. God knows his hurts! At any rate, they do have a wonderful marriage. One that is almost to be envied, except for the pain my friend has, knowing that her husband's eternal destiny is not with God.

Which is to say, anyone contemplating marriage needs to marry someone in the faith, to avoid the issues which can crop up when a believer is married to an unbeliver. My friend is lucky, he felt it was ok that she raise the children as Christians, including going to Bible school, upon graduating from high school. But not all unbelievers are like that! Because, marriage is also about children!

And if you are married to an unbeliever, well, I guess prayer and a solid witness is the only way to go. Please pray for Robbie, my friend's husband, that God will break down the barriers around his heart, and save him![/FONT]
 

Lewiz

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2018
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#47
Paul covers marriage in 1st Corinthians 7, 2nd Corinthians 6 is about working together for Christ.....We then as workers together is the context.....regardless of what "Barnes" has to say abut it.....CONTEXT, CONTEXT and I say CONTEXT overrides any and all commentaries!
Here's another one:

6:14-15. What hampered the Corinthians' open, loving response, which Paul called for? (v. 13) Answer: rival suitors vied for their affections and allegiance. Though verses 14-15 are often applied to various sorts of alliances (e.g., mixed marriages, improper business associations), Paul's primary association was probably ecclesiastical. The rival suitors were possibly pagan idolaters (cf. 1 Cor. 10:14) or more likely false apostles (cf. 2 Cor. 11:2-4). In censure or affection Paul was equally candid (cf. 6:11).

The Bible Knowledge Commentary
 

Lewiz

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2018
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#48
Paul covers marriage in 1st Corinthians 7, 2nd Corinthians 6 is about working together for Christ.....We then as workers together is the context.....regardless of what "Barnes" has to say abut it.....CONTEXT, CONTEXT and I say CONTEXT overrides any and all commentaries!
Annnd another:

The Greek word for "yoked together" is found only here in the New Testament. In the Greek Old Testament, the word is used in the prohibition against breeding cattle with a different species of animal (Leviticus 19:19). From this use of the Greek word comes the meaning "mismating," which several translations employ for this text (RSV; NEB, "Do not unite yourselves with unbelievers; they are no fit mates for you"). From this rendering of the word has emerged what is probably the commonest understanding of this text; namely, that Paul warns against marriage between believers and nonbelievers.

Hard Sayings of the Bible.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#49
Annnd another:

The Greek word for "yoked together" is found only here in the New Testament. In the Greek Old Testament, the word is used in the prohibition against breeding cattle with a different species of animal (Leviticus 19:19). From this use of the Greek word comes the meaning "mismating," which several translations employ for this text (RSV; NEB, "Do not unite yourselves with unbelievers; they are no fit mates for you"). From this rendering of the word has emerged what is probably the commonest understanding of this text; namely, that Paul warns against marriage between believers and nonbelievers.

Hard Sayings of the Bible.

And here is a word for you.......

con·text
ˈkäntekst/
noun


  • the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed.
    [COLOR=#878787 !important]the parts of something written or spoken that immediately precede and follow a word or passage and clarify its meaning.

    WE then as WORKERS TOGETHER......<---CONTEXT





 

preston39

Senior Member
Dec 18, 2017
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#50
Another reason for not marrying an unbeliever:

2 Corinthians 6:14 New International Version (NIV)

14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
I still think that marrying an unbeliever is a sin (a small one).

M....,

No such thing as a small sin. A sin is a sin.

The Bible advises against marrying a non believer as it does against socializing with non believers.

Not a good practice because it could cause the believer to sin more.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#51
M....,

No such thing as a small sin. A sin is a sin.

The Bible advises against marrying a non believer as it does against socializing with non believers.

Not a good practice because it could cause the believer to sin more
.
Jesus ate with prostitutes, Pharisees and those deemed as sinners....in the world, but not of the world.....one cannot win the lost if they are never around the lost!
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
8,879
4,334
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#52
M....,

No such thing as a small sin. A sin is a sin.

The Bible advises against marrying a non believer as it does against socializing with non believers.

Not a good practice because it could cause the believer to sin more.
I find your post shocking indeed.

I socialise with non belivers in my work place, the company that I'm a director off.

In fact I socialise with non belivers who come to my church.
That's my ministry.

In fact I even go to the pub with them and even more shocking I don't condemn them when they light up a cigarette.

Yes sin is sin. Is it a sin to socialise with non belivers?

If so then Jesus sinned.

Luke 5:8
8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

I am hoping I have got your thoughts wrong.
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,780
2,943
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#53
M....,

No such thing as a small sin. A sin is a sin.

The Bible advises against marrying a non believer as it does against socializing with non believers.

Not a good practice because it could cause the believer to sin more.

While I agree with your first two statements, sin being sin, and warnings against believers marrying non-believers, the last half of the second statement is totally against what the Bible says.

"[FONT=&quot]Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matt 28:19-21

This is the Great Commission. It is Jesus' instructions to his disciples to make disciples of ALL THE NATIONS. And of course, those disciples make disciples, down to the present time.

How are people supposed to make disciples if they don't associate with unbelievers? Your statement is some kind of isolationist nonsense, found no where in the Bible. What did all the disciples actually do, after Jesus ascended and the Holy Spirit fell? They preached the gospel. They reached out to unbelievers. From Philip in the desert with the Ethiopian eunuch, to Paul going from city to city, synagogue to synagogue, and street meeting to street meeting. Peter preaching on the Day of Pentecost.

The gospel is NEVER to be hidden. Today, we need to be reaching out to neighbours, co-workers, the poor, the rich, and those from every nation. I am friends with some former IMB missionaries. I prayed for them while they were in the field. They came home, settled in Austin Texas, which is a very left-leaning city, being a university town, with people from literally hundreds of countries, ethnicities and religions. They have an active ministry reaching these people with the gospel, which includes having them for dinner, and doing normal things with them. When these people hear the gospel, they are often saved. Then, they can take the gospel back to their countries, some of which are very closed to white North American missionaries.

Now, if you are talking about not letting the world and unbelievers influence you away from God, that is another story. But, Jesus says WE are to be the salt and the light. That means showing leadership in how we live, and the words we speak. If you are not being light, then you are hiding it under a bushel.

"[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.[/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matt 5:13-16[/FONT]


[/FONT]
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
8,879
4,334
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#54
M....,

No such thing as a small sin. A sin is a sin.

The Bible advises against marrying a non believer as it does against socializing with non believers.

Not a good practice because it could cause the believer to sin more.
My thoughts given the above.

Why would a non beliver want to socialise with you?
 

preston39

Senior Member
Dec 18, 2017
1,675
240
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#55
Jesus ate with prostitutes, Pharisees and those deemed as sinners....in the world, but not of the world.....one cannot win the lost if they are never around the lost!
d....,

We are around the lost...daily.

You are spinning....I said socialize...buddy with, chummy, regular visits with, etc. not visit with.....as is symbolized by Christ so you and I would know we must assist them to change.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
8,879
4,334
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#56
d....,

We are around the lost...daily.

You are spinning....I said socialize...buddy with, chummy, regular visits with, etc. not visit with.....as is symbolized by Christ so you and I would know we must assist them to change.
The Bible advises against marrying a non believer as it does against socializing with non believers.
That is your quote above.

It comes across as do not socialise with non belivers.

We don't assists them to change. The Holy Spirit does that.
We are part of the process.
 
Dec 12, 2013
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#57
d....,

We are around the lost...daily.

You are spinning....I said socialize...buddy with, chummy, regular visits with, etc. not visit with.....as is symbolized by Christ so you and I would know we must assist them to change.
Is everyone in your family saved, were all your co-workers saved, did you play baseball, basketball or P.E. as a kid....it is impossible to NOT socialize with lost people....and I am spinning nothing....your view falls flat on it's face....and to be frank is one of the problems with churches today.....afraid to be seen with their drunk neighbor or talking to Sally Prostitute at the 5 and DIME.....God forbid we be around and or spend time with the lost that need to see and hear our witness......what a joke!
 

Lewiz

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2018
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#58
My thoughts given the above.

Why would a non beliver want to socialise with you?
You don't know?

Spiritual warfare takes many shapes & forms, especially shapes, if you know what I mean.

Hanging out in the bar gives the women there the impression you're there to pick up girls.

That's the main reason men go.

While we're on that subject, tell me you don't look while you're there.;)

If my wife toured the bars to "witness" she would get a mandate to quit the bars or find another place to live.

She would tell me the same.
:)
 

Lewiz

Senior Member
Mar 11, 2018
346
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#59
Jesus ate with prostitutes, Pharisees and those deemed as sinners....in the world, but not of the world.....one cannot win the lost if they are never around the lost!
Find me a scripture where Jesus ate with prostitutes, I would like to see it.:)