"So let’s talk about the 'usual' interpretation of the unequal yoke. We all know that it means that; „we mustn't give our daughters to non-believers” so in general as a classical version it means -let's say- I’m a catholic. Then I mustn't let my daughter to marry a protestant, because it will cause unequal yoke. If I am an Adventist then I shouldn't let her to marry a Pentecostal. Someone asked me with a really serious question considering the unequal yoke, what if an Adventist marries a baptist, ’cause when their children will be bigger, when shall they go to church, on Saturdays or on Sundays? No, well, but you understand it, these are real, serious problems.
However, I will be a little cheeky and I will put this into the right place. Instead of telling you about the unequal yoke, I will read out from 1 Corinthians 7. The real thing which Paul says about the marriage, because the 2 Corinthians 6, where there is the scripture about the unequal yoke, in reality it’s not about marriage. Now I’ll put 1 Corinthians 7:29-39 on the table with a quite provocative Amplified translation. „I mean, brethren, the appointed time has been winding down and it has grown very short. From now on, let even those who have wives be as if they had none, And those who weep and mourn as though they were not weeping and mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not possess anything, And those who deal with this world [overusing the enjoyments of this life] as though they were not absorbed by it and as if they had no dealings with it. For the outward form of this world (the present world order) is passing away. My desire is to have you free from all anxiety and distressing care. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord; But the married man is anxious about worldly matters—how he may please his wife— And he is drawn in diverging directions [his interests are divided and he is distracted from his devotion to God]. And the unmarried woman or girl is concerned and anxious about the matters of the Lord, how to be wholly separated and set apart in body and spirit; but the married woman has her cares [centered] in earthly affairs—how she may please her husband.”
Dear old Paul. This cannot be really challenged. „Now I say this for your own welfare and profit, not to put [a halter of] restraint upon you, but to promote what is seemly and in good order and to secure your undistracted and undivided devotion to the Lord.” Enchanting! „But if any man thinks that he is not acting properly toward and in regard to his virgin [that he is preparing disgrace for her or incurring reproach], in case she is passing the bloom of her youth.” That’s how it’s written down within the Amplified version! „and if there is need for it, let him do what to him seems right; he does not sin; let them marry. But whoever is firmly established in his heart [strong in mind and purpose], not being forced by necessity but having control over his own will and desire, and has resolved this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he is doing well. So also then, he who gives his virgin (his daughter) in marriage does well, and he [the father] who does not give in marriage does better. A wife is bound to her husband by law as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she will, only in the Lord.” That’s all which is about the unequal yoke. This unequal yoke theory is based on this tiny little sentence. It’s obvious that everybody tries to find a suitable match, someone who thinks like the same way, but this inequality means something totally different. I would like to go through this, to show you how does it works in the reality. I would like to read Paul’s postscript from the scriptures. „But in my opinion [a widow] is happier if she does not remarry. And also I think I have the Spirit of God.”
Unfortunately Paul was not the first priest who lived in celibacy, but there is an unpleasant fact. He was part of the Sanhedrin when they voted about the fate of Stephen. Well regrettably only married men were able to be part of the Sanhedrin. Therefore it’s possible that it’s a very likeable thing that Paul said that it’s better for the man to be unmarried in all his life. No, instead of that he says that if the husband or wife dies, it’s better to stay alone, just like I do. That’s what Paul said."
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