Literally, “do not become.” Chapters 6:14 to 7:1 constitute an extended parenthesis such as occurs often in the writings of Paul. It consists of a warning against any and every kind of association with unbelievers that would place Christians in situations where they find it difficult or impossible to avoid compromising principle. This prohibition includes the marriage relationship (see on ch. 7:1), but is by no means restricted to it. The admonition of this parenthetical passage was probably suggested to Paul’s mind by his counsel in ch. 6:12, 13, not to be narrowhearted and exclusive. If so, his purpose was to leave the Corinthians no reason for concluding that they were to be so largehearted as to enter into intimate fellowship with unbelievers. The fact that v. 14 begins with the words “do not become” indicates that Paul was thinking primarily of the future, rather than of the past.

 Gr. heterozugeō, “to yoke in unequal partnership.” The prefix hetero-here denotes persons of a different kind (cf. on Matt. 6:24). In view of the fact that Paul is addressing the Corinthian church members as Christians, the others referred to are non-Christians. The principle here stated is similar to that of Ex. 34:16; Deut. 7:1-3; cf. Lev. 19:19; Deut. 22:10; Phil. 4:3. So great is the difference in ideals and conduct between Christians and non-Christians, believers and unbelievers, that to enter into any binding relationship with them, whether in marriage, in business, or otherwise, inevitably confronts the Christians with the alternatives of abandoning principle or enduring difficulties occasioned by differences in belief and conduct. To enter into such a union is to obey God and to bargain with the devil. Separateness from sin and sinners is explicitly set forth throughout the Scriptures (Lev. 20:24; Num. 6:3; Heb. 7:26; etc.). No other principle has been more strictly enjoined by God. Throughout the history of God’s people the violation of this principle has inevitably resulted in spiritual disaster.

 To those who do not accept Christ as their Saviour, and His teachings as their standard of belief and conduct, the ideals, principles, and practice of Christianity are foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18). By reason of their outlook on life, unbelievers often find it most difficult to tolerate a pattern of conduct that tends to restrict their own ways of living, or implies that their concepts and practices are evil or inferior. Paul does not forbid all association with unbelievers, but only such association as would tend to diminish the Christian’s love for God, to adulterate the purity of his outlook on life, or to lead him to deviate from a strict pattern of conduct. Christians are not to shun their relatives and friends, but to associate with them as living examples of applied Christianity and so win them to Christ (1 Cor. 5:9, 10; 7:12; (10:27). The decisive question is, Does the Christian choose to associate with the unbeliever because of a fondness for the ways of the world, or because of a sincere desire to be a blessing to the unbeliever and to win him to Christ? A second question, and one of no less importance to the Christian himself, is, Whose influence is likely to prevail, that of Christ or that of the evil one? When it comes to a binding relationship such as marriage, however, the Christian who truly loves the Lord will under no circumstances unite with an unbeliever, even in the pious and otherwise commendable hope of winning him to Christ.

Almost without exception disappointment is the result of a course of action contrary to the wise counsel here set forth by the apostle. Those who choose to heed this counsel may expect in a special way to enjoy God’s favor, and will find that He has something in store for them far surpassing any plans they might have had for themselves.

 By a series of five rhetorical questions (vs. 14-16) Paul contrasts the irreconcilable and mutually exclusive opposition between the yoke of Christ and that of the world. Every union in which the character, beliefs, and interests of the Christian lose anything of their distinctiveness and integrity, is hereby prohibited. A Christian cannot afford to enter into any connection with the world that calls for compromise. The line of demarcation is clearly defined between

 (1) righteousness and unrighteousness,

 (2) light and darkness,

 (3) Christ and Satan,

 (4) faith and infidelity,

 (5) the temple of God and the temple of idols.