“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” 2 Corinthians 6:14
The word “yoked” signifies a relationship beyond just casual encounters and evangelism. Paul operated in pagan climates, a Jew engaging the Gentiles, and wasn’t ignorant of real-world, vocational responsibilities pressing us into interactions with unbelievers. Indeed, we’re “in the world, not of the world,” and this means engagements with those not like ourselves. We can, however, be smart with whom we associate, call our friends, and form relationships difficult to break, the most vivid example being marriage. It’s probably wrong to treat this verse too narrowly, saying it only applies to this or that type of relationship. Better it is to see it as an overarching principle for the Church governing our relationships in the world. There’s always a line, and we pray God shows it and guards us before being strapped to a yoke not easily undone.
Monasteries originated from Christian missionaries establishing cells, pockets of believers ultimately sanctioned by the church and supported as institutions of spreading the Word, serving the needy, and sacred teaching. Overtime bishops would emerge from these communities fostering simple lives of self-denial, labor, and a deep study and contemplation of Holy Scripture. From an evangelism standpoint, monasteries served a valuable purpose in expanding the Word to pagans and Christianizing large groups of people once living in darkness. These monastic Christians weren’t yoking themselves to unbelievers but seeking sinners under the gentle yoke of Christ. However, by Luther’s era, monasteries were a mess. The Lutheran Confessions state: “if these institutions will not serve this purpose [teaching and education], it is better to abandon them or tear them down than have their blasphemous, humanly invented services regarded as something better than the ordinary Christian life and the offices and callings ordained by God.” The very places once separated from the world were now yoked to it.
“And be separate, says the Lord, Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you” (2 Cor. 6:17). This can’t be waved away as obsolete when Paul quotes it to the Corinthians. Separate from evil whenever possible, stay away from sin, flee idolatry. We should, as Paul writes “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” We know from the Gospels where to find such purity, the same Source to Whom Paul appeals and preaches, calling people to repent and believe in Christ crucified and risen from the dead, the One sent to save, wash, and deliver, the One Who still speaks His Word bringing faith to our hearts and strengthening filthy sinners with His Word: “already you are clean because of the Word I have spoken to you” (John 15:3). Jesus wants you to Himself. “Take My yoke up on you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt.11:29).
Rev. Ryan J. Ogrodowicz
Grace Lutheran Church - Brenham, Texas
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
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