What does the Bible say about being unequally yoked?
The Bible directs believers to marry within the faith — “only in the Lord”, as Paul puts it — and warns against partnerships that pull away from God. The phrase “unequally yoked” comes from 2 Corinthians 6:14, a passage broader than marriage. And those already married to an unbeliever are told to stay.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Where the phrase comes from. The picture is of two different animals under one yoke, which the Law forbade when plowing with an ox and an ass (Deuteronomy 22:10), and the context is idolatry — so the principle applies to any partnership that binds a believer to what contradicts the faith, and many apply it to marriage as well.
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
The most explicit text on marriage: a widow may marry whom she will, “only in the Lord”. This is where churches draw the guidance to marry someone who also follows Christ.
Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
Israel’s ban on marrying the peoples of Canaan gives its own reason: the danger of turning the heart to other gods. The issue was faith, not ancestry — Rahab and Ruth, foreigners who embraced the God of Israel, are in Jesus’ genealogy (Matthew 1:5).
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
Solomon, the wisest of kings, is the example Scripture gives: in his old age “his wives turned away his heart after other gods”. The warning is not against people; it is about where a marriage pulls the heart.
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. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
For those already married to an unbeliever — often because they came to faith after the wedding — the guidance is the opposite of leaving: if the other wants to stay, stay. The unbelieving spouse is sanctified through the believer, and the children, Paul says, “now are they holy”.
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Peter speaks to wives whose husbands do not obey the word: they may be won “without the word”, by how their wives live. In a mismatched marriage, faith shows more in a way of life than in pressure.
Most churches agree that a Christian should marry someone who also believes. They differ in the applications: whether 2 Corinthians 6:14 also covers business partnerships and other ties; what to do when a member marries outside the faith — some remove them from ministry roles or apply discipline, others walk alongside them without penalty; and what counts as the same faith when both are Christians from different churches. To those already married to an unbeliever, the guidance is the same everywhere: stay, and live out the faith at home.
Frequently asked questions
Is it a sin to date a non-Christian?
The Bible does not talk about dating, which did not exist in its modern form. But dating leads toward marriage, and a believer’s marriage is “in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39). That is why most churches counsel against starting a serious relationship with someone who does not share the faith.
What about missionary dating?
Paul reminds a believer already married to an unbeliever that there is no guarantee: “what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband?” (1 Corinthians 7:16). The text comforts those already married; it is not a promise for starting a relationship in the hope that the other person will convert.
I’m married to a non-Christian. Should I leave?
No. Paul is direct: if the other is willing to stay, do not leave (1 Corinthians 7:12-13). The marriage is still a marriage, and faith can be lived within it with patience and respect (1 Peter 3:1-2).
Can a Protestant marry a Catholic?
The Bible speaks of believers and unbelievers; it does not address marriage between Christians of different churches. Some evangelical churches discourage it because of differences in doctrine and practice, others leave it to the couple, and the Catholic Church allows marriage to a baptized member of another church, with permission. Either way, it is worth talking beforehand about faith, church and how the children will be raised.
