2 Corinthians 6:14 Meaning and Explanation
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul warns against binding our lives to what would pull us away from God, drawing on a vivid picture from the farm.
The Context of 2 Corinthians 6:14
Paul has just opened his heart wide to the Corinthians and asked them to open theirs in return (verses 11 to 13). His concern is for the company they keep and the loyalties that shape them, things that could quietly draw their hearts away.
What Does 2 Corinthians 6:14 Mean?
Paul borrows an image from the field. To yoke two animals together is to bind them to a shared task, and an unequal yoke, two creatures of different strength and pace, makes for a crooked, straining furrow. He applies it to the deepest partnerships of life, where being bound to those who do not share our trust in God can slowly pull us off course. He drives it home with two honest questions: what real fellowship can righteousness have with unrighteousness, or light with darkness? They belong to different worlds.
This stays tender toward everyone, for Paul gladly ate with outsiders and longed for their good. It is a call to guard the heart in the bonds that shape it most. We belong to the One who is light, and our deepest loyalties are meant to keep us walking with Him. The same Christ who calls us out of darkness walks with us into every relationship, and His friendship is the one that steadies all the rest.
2 Corinthians 6:14 in the Original Language
heterozygeo (ἑτεροζυγέω), 'unequally yoked' -- to be paired with a mismatched partner under one yoke.
How to Apply 2 Corinthians 6:14 Today
This verse invites us to weigh the loyalties that shape us most, the closest partnerships of our lives, and ask whether they draw us toward God or away. It honors everyone while guarding the heart, and trusts that Christ walks with us into every bond we keep.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 6:14
What does 2 Corinthians 6:14 mean?
Paul warns against binding our lives to what would pull us away from God, drawing on a vivid picture from the farm.
What is the context of 2 Corinthians 6:14?
Paul has just opened his heart wide to the Corinthians and asked them to open theirs in return (verses 11 to 13). His concern is for the company they keep and the loyalties that shape them, things that could quietly draw their hearts away.
How can I apply 2 Corinthians 6:14 today?
This verse invites us to weigh the loyalties that shape us most, the closest partnerships of our lives, and ask whether they draw us toward God or away. It honors everyone while guarding the heart, and trusts that Christ walks with us into every bond we keep.