Why did Paul use the word "Unequally"?

[zeroturbulence]

This is the famous scripture 2 Corinthians 6:14 from the original Greek manuscripts translated by Westcott and Hort:

μη γινεσθε ετεροζυγουντες απιστοις τις γαρ μετοχη δικαιοσυνη και ανομια η τις κοινωνια φωτι προς σκοτος
2 Corinthians 6:14 (greek text)



Definition of the bolded word (heterozugeo or eterozugountes) from BlueLetterBible.com:

ετεροζυγουντες verb - present active participle - nominative plural masculine
heterozugeo het-er-od-zoog-eh'-o: to yoke up differently, i.e. (figuratively) to associate discordantly -- unequally yoke together with.



The english translation from the KJV:

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 (King James)


SO, THE BIG QUESTION IS:

Why didn't Paul just say, "Do not be yoked with unbelievers"?

ANSWER:

Because thats not what he meant.

 

[Jullianna]

Jesus told us that HIS yoke is easy and HIS burden is light. Children of God are not weighed down by the things of this world as unbelievers are. When two believers join together in holy matrimony, God is in that union. Unbelievers are still in bondage. Should we be shackled to them? I can't see God being pleased by that. How can God be in a union when He is not in one of the parties involved?

 

[Crypto]

This is the famous scripture 2 Corinthians 6:14 from the original Greek manuscripts translated by Westcott and Hort:

μη γινεσθε ετεροζυγουντες απιστοις τις γαρ μετοχη δικαιοσυνη και ανομια η τις κοινωνια φωτι προς σκοτος
2 Corinthians 6:14 (greek text)



Definition of the bolded word (heterozugeo or eterozugountes) from BlueLetterBible.com:

ετεροζυγουντες verb - present active participle - nominative plural masculine
heterozugeo het-er-od-zoog-eh'-o: to yoke up differently, i.e. (figuratively) to associate discordantly -- unequally yoke together with.



The english translation from the KJV:

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 (King James)


SO, THE BIG QUESTION IS:

Why didn't Paul just say, "Do not be yoked with unbelievers"?

ANSWER:

Because thats not what he meant.

The idea of an unequal yoke comes from a farming analogy wherein two animals of differing kinds and strength are coupled together in order to plough a field, a practice which was forbidden to the Jews under the Old Testament law (Deut 22:10). The yoke is a harness which joins two animals side by side, and obviously if a stronger, more dominant animal is joined with a weaker one both animals are going to suffer, and in particular the weaker animal is going to be chaffed and damaged by the pull of the stronger. Paul said exactly what he wanted to say and meant exactly what he wanted to mean.

 

[Rachel777]

This is the famous scripture 2 Corinthians 6:14 from the original Greek manuscripts translated by Westcott and Hort:

μη γινεσθε ετεροζυγουντες απιστοις τις γαρ μετοχη δικαιοσυνη και ανομια η τις κοινωνια φωτι προς σκοτος
2 Corinthians 6:14 (greek text)



Definition of the bolded word (heterozugeo or eterozugountes) from BlueLetterBible.com:

ετεροζυγουντες verb - present active participle - nominative plural masculine
heterozugeo het-er-od-zoog-eh'-o: to yoke up differently, i.e. (figuratively) to associate discordantly -- unequally yoke together with.



The english translation from the KJV:

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 (King James)


SO, THE BIG QUESTION IS:

Why didn't Paul just say, "Do not be yoked with unbelievers"?

ANSWER:

Because thats not what he meant.

There's nothing worse than someone that does not want to see what is in front of him

You've written 2 threads with this because you feel reproof from God's Spirit and now you are trying to find some people that makes you feel better, let God guide you,He has spoken to you in so many ways but you don't want to see it.and YES! that was what Paul said Do not be yoked with unbelievers!.... wake up !

God bless you!

 

[zeroturbulence]

The idea of an unequal yoke comes from a farming analogy wherein two animals of differing kinds and strength are coupled together in order to plough a field, a practice which was forbidden to the Jews under the Old Testament law (Deut 22:10). The yoke is a harness which joins two animals side by side, and obviously if a stronger, more dominant animal is joined with a weaker one both animals are going to suffer, and in particular the weaker animal is going to be chaffed and damaged by the pull of the stronger. Paul said exactly what he wanted to say and meant exactly what he wanted to mean.

Yes, thats pretty much what I've been saying. Thats why I am saying that if your faith is deep and strong, and the person you are with won't pull you away from God then it doesn't matter what the other person believes.

 

[zeroturbulence]

There's nothing worse than someone that does not want to see what is in front of him

You've written 2 threads with this because you feel reproof from God's Spirit and now you are trying to find some people that makes you feel better, let God guide you,He has spoken to you in so many ways but you don't want to see it.and YES! that was what Paul said Do not be yoked with unbelievers!.... wake up !

God bless you!

So you are saying that the pastor who said what I am telling people is just plain wrong. Ok, thats your opinion.

I find that the pastor's explanation makes a lot of sense. You are basically just screaming "I'M RIGHT and YOU'RE WRONG." Thats not a very objectionable way of dealing with an issue.

Also, I said early on in the other thread that I would make a thread about this. I didn't make this thread because I want people to agree. I want people to examine the scripture in light of what I heard said about it and give their own opinion based on this new information.

 

[Rachel777]

So you are saying that the pastor who said what I am telling people is just plain wrong. Ok, thats your opinion.

I find that the pastor's explanation makes a lot of sense. You are basically just screaming "I'M RIGHT and YOU'RE WRONG." Thats not a very objectionable way of dealing with an issue.

No, I'm just screaming... "PAUL IS RIGHT (scriptures) and The PASTOR IS WRONG" ..

 

[zeroturbulence]

So anyway, I see this is turning into a grudge match.

There is no need for anyone to get heated over this. If you don't want to date non-christians...thats fine by me. I hope you find a wonderful christian and live happily everafter.

All I am saying is...this particular scripture may be widely misunderstood, according to what I heard from a pastor speaking about it on the radio.

You guys can continue discussing it amongst yourselves. I see that some are starting to really dislike anything I have to say about it even though I am being objective and non-judgemental.

 

[zeroturbulence]

No, I'm just screaming... "PAUL IS RIGHT (scriptures) and The PASTOR IS WRONG" ..

So you're saying that Paul put the word "unequally" (heterozugeo) in there for no real reason. That he just simply stuck it in there because it sounded good and that he really meant "Do not be yoked" as opposed to "Do not be unequally yoked".

If you want to ignore that word thats certainly up to you, but you shouldn't come down on others who choose not to ignore it.

(I only made this bigger so its easier to read)

 

[Rachel777]

So anyway, I see this is turning into a grudge match.

There is no need for anyone to get heated over this. If you don't want to date non-christians...thats fine by me. I hope you find a wonderful christian and live happily everafter.

All I am saying is...this particular scripture may be widely misunderstood, according to what I heard from a pastor speaking about it on the radio.

You guys can continue discussing it amongst yourselves. I see that some are starting to really dislike anything I have to say about it even though I am being objective and non-judgemental.

Well dude i'm done with this ! I won't discuss what is clear for people that have eyes and can see. as scriptures says:

Matthew 11:15 : Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

It is clear that you want to find the fifth leg cat.

Finally, if you stop discussing this then everyone is gonna stop it too ...you are the only one that is based in a human words.

there's nothing personal I'm just defending what the Bible says

May God Bless you

 

[zeroturbulence]

Well dude i'm done with this ! I won't discuss what is clear for people that have eyes and can see. as scriptures says:

Matthew 11:15 : Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

It is clear that you want to find the fifth leg cat.

Finally, if you stop discussing this then everyone is gonna stop it too ...you are the only one that is based in a human words.

there's nothing personal I'm just defending what the Bible says

May God Bless you

I never said it was dumb to believe that it means to not date unbelievers, but you say that I am too dumb to see what to you is the obvious meaning of the scripture.

Is that really fair? I hate to tell you this but there are many scriptures which are interpreted different ways by christians. Thats why there are so many dnominations.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Ok, Rachel777 if you are still here, and to all others that feel Paul meant to reject all unbelievers, how would you explain this scripture which Paul also wrote:

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. - 1 Corinthians 7:12

and this one...

And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. - 1 Corinthians 7:13

 

[GreenNnice]

I never said it was dumb to believe that it means to not date unbelievers, but you say that I am too dumb to see what to you is the obvious meaning of the scripture.

Is that really fair? I hate to tell you this but there are many scriptures which are interpreted different ways by christians. Thats why there are so many dnominations.

---don't date unbelievers is what Sarah8ights would do. I too.

But... does that mean that is the right answer for everyone??

No!
--
I.will speak for myself, I do not think I could date an unbeliever I was attracted to. Maybe that's being a little too transparente but that is a fact, for me, it's true. Ad julieannie said, what common things you have in the relationship will be not good with the believe system (God and no God) both part of the ground's foundation?

None! Me speaking, my opinion, but Absolutely positively no common ground if two people-believer and nonbeliever-are trying to make it work.

But. Too, as snackercrackersmom said... she would go out with nonbeliever but only if got the OK from headquarters, LOL. God says do it, she will do it . And, on that noté, I will say I would do 'it' too if Lord-led to go out with a nonchristian.
---
Zere, I admire your tenacity and your theological explanatiin comparing Greek original text and KJV was well done.

---
May God bless you all for His leading the words from your mouths. Remember, pray without ceasing, that means NEVER quit talking to God, pray you will.even be talking to Him in your sleep

 

[zeroturbulence]

Thank you, Ed. I really didn't want to ruffle anyone's feathers over this.

Rachel777,

I sincerely apologize for anything I said that has upset you. I tried to be as objectionable as I could (sticking to facts and reasoning) so that I don't belittle anyone who has an opposing belief. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. It feel even worse because you asked me to stay and said some kind words to me when I wanted to leave the site. I hope that you can forgive whatever pain I may have caused you here. God bless you.

Gabe

 

[Matthew]

This is why I don't post in Bible Study forum, everybody digs their heels in and nothing actually gets *discussed* just thrown back and forth.

I think it's an interesting question Zero, it is worth considering how the addition of the extra word can possibly alter the meaning, it's interesting to explore but often that exploration is mistaken for an attempt to circumvent the word, which I know isn't what you were after at all.

 

[zeroturbulence]

Thank you Matthew. I agree. There is always strong opposition.

 

[Rachel777]

Thank you, Ed. I really didn't want to ruffle anyone's feathers over this.

Rachel777,

I sincerely apologize for anything I said that has upset you. I tried to be as objectionable as I could (sticking to facts and reasoning) so that I don't belittle anyone who has an opposing belief. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. It feel even worse because you asked me to stay and said some kind words to me when I wanted to leave the site. I hope that you can forgive whatever pain I may have caused you here. God bless you.

Gabe

There's no problem! I'm not mad at you,I just tried to let you know what i think is the truth in Jesus.. I did it because i love everyone in Jesus and I want the best for others. I really appreciate your apologies and I wanna apologize too beacuse I never tried to hurt you.

God Bless You

 

[Megatron]

i must say this is hilarious. Im with zero on this one though. Ive dated nonbelievers and things went just like relationships with believers i had had, only the nonbelievers were actually better relationships...but oh well. On the other hand why are people always telling people to 'Wake up!' just because they dont agree with them...seriously its dumb.

 

[zeroturbulence]

i must say this is hilarious. Im with zero on this one though. Ive dated nonbelievers and things went just like relationships with believers i had had, only the nonbelievers were actually better relationships...but oh well. On the other hand why are people always telling people to 'Wake up!' just because they dont agree with them...seriously its dumb.

I haven't dated since I accepted Christ as my savior, but I do know that the non-christian girls I dated were very open-minded and you could talk to them about anything.

As far as what Rachel said, she is very confident in her belief because its the belief that is taken by most christians.

 

[zeroturbulence]

There's no problem! I'm not mad at you,I just tried to let you know what i think is the truth in Jesus.. I did it because i love everyone in Jesus and I want the best for others. I really appreciate your apologies and I wanna apologize too beacuse I never tried to hurt you.

God Bless You

Thanks so much for being a kind friend, Rachel.

God bless you.