What does the Bible say about Christians marrying non-Christians?
Unequally Yoked
The principle of Christians only marrying like-minded believers in the one true God can be found in the Old and New Testaments. (2 Corinthians 6:14) tells us not to be yoked together with unbelievers. The English Standard Version of this Scripture asks the questions, “For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? Although some will say this Scripture doesn’t specifically refer to marriage, it can be argued that the verse speaks directly to any relationship a Christian may have with others, especially marriage.
Marriage, The Ultimate Partnership
Marriage is the ultimate partnership. It is designed for a man and woman to be united into one flesh (Genesis 2:24). When one person is a Christian and the other is not, it isn’t possible for these two individuals to become one as God intended. One will desire after the things of God, the other will not. It can become a very difficult situation that did not have to be.
Unfortunately, many Christians have ignored the words of the Bible, and also went against the advice of their Pastor in marrying outside of the Christian faith. Often times the Christian will marry in this situation with the idea that they will be able to win the non-believing spouse to the Christian faith after they are married. It is a false hope to think you can do the opposite of what the Bible says and believe it will work out for the best.
Learn From Solomon’s Marriages
Consider Solomon of the Old Testament with all of his wisdom. In spite of this wisdom, he went against a direct command of God. God told the Israelites they must not intermarry with foreign people. If they were to do this their hearts would be turned after the foreign Gods. The result of Solomon’s disobedience, he married many foreign wives and they led him astray (1 Kings 11:2-3) (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). If it didn’t work out for the wise Solomon, a person would be deceiving themselves to think a similar marriage would end well today.
An additional Scripture on the subject is (1 Corinthians 7:39). From this verse we know that if one spouse dies while married, the living spouse is free to marry anyone they want, on one condition. They must belong to the Lord. Again we see, it is not God’s will for Christians to marry non-Christians.
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