“Questions from Corinth”

UNEQUALLY YOKED: WHEN BELIEVERS & UNBELIEVERS ARE MARRIED

“ 12  … If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14  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” — 1 Corinthians 7:12-14.

The Apostle Paul, in his pastoral wisdom, extends his counsel beyond marriages between two believers to address the complex issue of “mixed” marriages — where one spouse believes in Christ and the other does not.

Paul’s advice is compassionate and practical: a believer married to an unbeliever should remain married if the unbelieving spouse agrees. Instead of ending the union, Paul urges believers to focus on peace and stability at home, understanding the potential for spiritual influence.

Navigating a marriage between people of different faiths presents unique challenges and opportunities. The believing spouse should exemplify Christ’s love through prayer, godly living, and gentle testimony, not through forced conversion.