2 COR 6:14 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Do not be yoked together with unbelievers, for what partnership does righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

UST Do not join in with people who do not trust the Messiah. I say that because what is right and what is wrong have nothing in common. Further, what is good shares nothing with what is evil.

BLB Do not become unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

AICNT Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, {or}[fn] what fellowship has light with darkness?

6:14, or: Later manuscripts read “and.” BYZ TR

OEB Do not enter into inconsistent relations with those who reject the faith. For what partnership can there be between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what has light to do with darkness?

WEBBE Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship do righteousness and iniquity have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

LSV Do not become yoked with others—unbelievers, for what partaking [is there] to righteousness and lawlessness?

FBV Don't join together with people who don't believe—for what connection does goodness have with wickedness? What do light and darkness have in common?

TCNT Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? What fellowship does light have with darkness?

T4T Do not ◄team up/have a close relationship► with anyone who does not trust in Christ. I say this because we who trust in Christ and do what is right should not [RHQ] want to do things with wicked people. Or to say it in another way, just like light and darkness never join together, so those who belong to Christ and those who belong to Satan should never join together [RHQ].

LEB ¶ Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers, for what participation is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

BBE Do not keep company with those who have not faith: for what is there in common between righteousness and evil, or between light and dark?

Moff [Keep out of all incongruous ties with unbelievers.
⇔ What have righteousness and iniquity in common,
⇔ or how can light associate with darkness?

Wymth Do not come into close association with unbelievers, like oxen yoked with asses. For what is there in common between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what partnership has light with darkness?

ASV Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?

DRA Bear not the yoke with unbelievers. For what participation hath justice with injustice? Or what fellowship hath light with darkness?

YLT Become not yoked with others — unbelievers, for what partaking [is there] to righteousness and lawlessness?

Drby Be not diversely yoked with unbelievers; for what participation [is there] between righteousness and lawlessness? or what fellowship of light with darkness?

RV Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness?
(Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath/has light with darkness? )

SLT Be not unequally yoked together with the unbelieving: for what participation to justice and iniquity and what communion to light with darkness?

Wbstr Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

KJB-1769 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
(Be ye/you_all not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath/has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath/has light with darkness? )

KJB-1611 Be ye not vnequally yoked together with vnbeleeuers: for what fellowship hath righteousnesse with vnrighteousnesse? and what communion hath light with darknesse?
(Be ye/you_all not unequally yoked together with unbeleeuers: for what fellowship hath/has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath/has light with darkness?)

Bshps And beare not ye a straunge yoke with the vnbeleuers. For what felowship hath righteousnesse with vnrighteousnesse? Or what communion hath lyght with darkenesse?
(And bear not ye/you_all a strange yoke with the unbeliefrs. For what fellowship hath/has righteousness with unrighteousness? Or what communion hath/has light with darkness?)

Gnva Be not vnequally yoked with the infidels: for what fellowship hath righteousnesse with vnrighteousnesse? and what communion hath light with darkenesse?
(Be not unequally yoked with the infidels: for what fellowship hath/has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath/has light with darkness? )

Cvdl Set youre selues therfore at large.Beare not a straunge yock with the vnbeleuers. For what fellishippe hath righteousnes with vnrighteousnes? What company hath lighte wt darknesse?
(Set yourselves therefore at large.Bear not a strange yoke with the unbeliefrs. For what fellishippe hath/has righteousness with unrighteousnes? What company hath/has lighte with darkness?)

TNT and beare not a straugers yoke wyth the vnbelevers. For what fellishippe hath rightewesnes with vnrightewesnes? What company hath light with darcknes?
(and bear not a strangers yoke with the unbelevers. For what fellishippe hath/has rightewesnes with unrightewesnes? What company hath/has light with darcknes? )

Wycl Nyle ye bere the yok with vnfeithful men. For what parting of riytwisnes with wickidnesse? or what felouschipe of liyt to derknessis?
(Not/Don’t ye/you_all bear the yoke with unfaithful men. For what parting of riytwisnes with wickedness? or what fellowship of light to darkness?)

Luth Ziehet nicht am fremden Joch mit den Ungläubigen! Denn was hat die Gerechtigkeit für Genieß mit der Ungerechtigkeit? Was hat das Licht für Gemeinschaft mit der Finsternis?
(Pulling not in/at/on_the strangers yoke with the Ungläubigen! Because what/which has the justice for/in_favour_of Genieß with the/of_the injustice? What has the light(n) for/in_favour_of Gemeinschaft with the/of_the darkness?)

ClVg Nolite jugum ducere cum infidelibus. Quæ enim participatio justitiæ cum iniquitate? aut quæ societas luci ad tenebras?[fn]
(Don't yoke/collar to_lead when/with into_the_faithful. Which because participatio justice when/with iniquity? or which society luci to darkness? )

6.14 Nolite jugum, etc. Ratio est, quia vos justi, illi iniqui: et ideo in nullo debetis eis communicare.

6.14 Don't yoke/collar, etc. Ratio it_is, because you(pl) just, them iniqui: and therefore/for_that_reason in/into/on with_no_one you_must to_them to_communicate.

UGNT μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις; τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ, ἢ τίς κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος?
(maʸ ginesthe heterozugountes apistois; tis gar metoⱪaʸ dikaiosunaʸ kai anomia, aʸ tis koinōnia fōti pros skotos?)

SBL-GNT Μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις· τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ, ⸂ἢ τίς⸃ κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος;
(Maʸ ginesthe heterozugountes apistois; tis gar metoⱪaʸ dikaiosunaʸ kai anomia, ⸂aʸ tis⸃ koinōnia fōti pros skotos;)

RP-GNT Μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις· τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ; Τίς δὲ κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος;
(Maʸ ginesthe heterozugountes apistois; tis gar metoⱪaʸ dikaiosunaʸ kai anomia; Tis de koinōnia fōti pros skotos;)

TC-GNT Μὴ [fn]γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις· τίς γὰρ μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ; [fn]Τίς δὲ κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος;
(Maʸ ginesthe heterozugountes apistois; tis gar metoⱪaʸ dikaiosunaʸ kai anomia; Tis de koinōnia fōti pros skotos; )

6:14 γινεσθε ¦ γεινεσθε TH

6:14 τις δε ¦ η τις CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

TTN Tyndale Theme Notes:

The Church as God’s Temple

The imagery of the church as the temple of God has its roots in the Old Testament. David and Solomon received a promise that the Temple in Jerusalem would be the place of God’s abiding presence with his people (see 2 Sam 7:12-16; 1 Kgs 9:1-9). That Temple was completed in 960 BC but was destroyed in 586 BC. Yet the prophets of Israel looked forward to a new temple; they announced a message of hope that God would once again live among his people (see, e.g., Isa 56:7; Ezek 40–43).

While the Temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt after the Exile—and reached a pinnacle during the renovations of Herod the Great—the hopes of God’s people were ultimately fulfilled in the coming of Jesus (see John 1:14; 2:19-22; 4:21-24). He himself is God’s temple, the place where God’s holiness resides, and he calls his people to join him. Thus, God’s people are to be a holy temple of God, a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit (see 1 Cor 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 2:21; 1 Pet 2:5; Rev 3:12).

Paul called on believers to realize their identity as God’s “holy people” (2 Cor 1:1) in two ways: They were to separate themselves from moral evil, and they were to be dedicated to God in holy living and service. Christians are therefore urged, “Let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God” (2 Cor 7:1).

Passages for Further Study

2 Sam 7:12-16; 1 Kgs 8:12-53; 2 Chr 6:20; Pss 11:4; 27:4-6; Zech 6:12-15; Matt 18:20; John 2:18-22; 14:20; 17:23; Rom 8:10; 1 Cor 3:10-17; 6:18-20; 9:11-14; 2 Cor 6:14–7:1; Gal 2:20; Eph 2:20-22; 3:17-19; Col 1:27; Heb 3:6; 12:18-24; 1 Pet 2:4-9; Rev 1:12-16; 3:12, 20; 21:22

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:11–7:4: Paul urged them to love him and live holy lives

In this section, Paul told the believers in Corinth that he loved them completely (6:11), but the believers did not love him completely (6:12). He urged them to love him completely (6:13).

Then he urged them to avoid partnerships with unbelievers (6:14a) and used five rhetorical questions (6:14b–16a) to support this exhortation. He also supported this exhortation with quotes from the Old Testament (6:16b–18). On the basis of these quotes, he then urged them to live pure lives (7:1).

He again urged them to love him (7:2a) and explained that he had not wronged anyone (7:2b). He explained that his love was complete (7:3) and he was very confident in them and very happy for them (7:4).

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Open your hearts to us, and live holy lives

Love us as we love you and live pure lives

6:14a

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers.

¶ Do not harness yourselves in an uneven team with unbelievers. (NJB)
¶ Do not become partners with people who do not believe in Jesus.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers: The phrase unequally yoked is a metaphor. A person would yoke two animals together so they could pull a plow or a heavy load. A yoke connects the animals together and also connects them to the thing they will pull.

The Greek word that the BSB translates as unequally yoked refers to two different kinds of animals being connected to the same yoke. The metaphor indicates that a believer and an unbeliever become unequal partners. They have different goals, morals, ideals, and motives. The clause prohibits many kinds of partnerships with unbelievers, including marrying an unbeliever,But if a believer is already married to an unbeliever, the believer should not seek divorce (1 Corinthians 7:12–14). business partnerships, and participating in pagan rituals. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Do not harness yourselves in an uneven team with unbelievers (NJB)

Do not become partners with those who do not believe (NET)

You are not the same as those who do not believe. So do not join yourselves to them. (NCV)

6:14b–16a

For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols?: Each of these rhetorical questions emphasizes the difference between the two terms in each pair. They expect the answer, “None whatsoever.” These questions support the command to avoid becoming partners with unbelievers. Translate these sayings in a way that emphasizes the difference between the two terms in each pair. Some ways are:

As rhetorical questions. For example:
How can right and wrong be partners? How can light and darkness live together? ¹⁵How can Christ and the Devil agree? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ^16aHow can God’s temple come to terms with pagan idols? (GNT)
Can righteous people be partners with law-breakers? Can light associate with darkness? ¹⁵Can Christ agree with Belial, or a believer join with an unbeliever? ^16aCan there be a pact between the temple of God and idols?
Is it possible that righteousness and wickedness have anything common? Or is it possible that light can have fellowship with darkness? ¹⁵Is it possible that there is harmony between Christ and Belial? Is it possible that a believer has anything in common with an unbeliever? ^16aIs it possible that there is any agreement between the temple of God and idols?
As questions with the answers supplied. For example:
what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Nothing! Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? None! ¹⁵What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? None! What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? Nothing! ^16aWhat agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? None!
As tag questions. For example:
Righteousness and wickedness have nothing in common, do they? Light has no fellowship with darkness, does it? ¹⁵There is no harmony between Christ and Belial, is there? A believer has nothing in common with an unbeliever, does he? ^16aThere is no agreement between the temple of God and idols, is there?
As statements. For example:
Righteousness and wickedness have nothing in common. Light has no fellowship with darkness. ¹⁵There is no harmony between Christ and Belial. A believer has nothing in common with an unbeliever. ^16aThere is no agreement between the temple of God and idols.
As commands. For example:
Do not consider righteousness and wickedness to have anything in common. Do not consider light to have any fellowship with darkness. ¹⁵Do not consider there to be any harmony between Christ and Belial. Do not consider a believer to have anything in common with an unbeliever. ^16aDo not consider there to be any agreement between the temple of God and idols.

6:14b

For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness?

For, can righteous people be partners with lawbreakers?
For example: Straight ways and lawbreaking have nothing in common.

For: This conjunction introduces an explanation of why believers should not partner with unbelievers (6:14a).

what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness?: The Greek word that the BSB translates as partnership describes people who have the same goals, motives, and intentions. But righteous people and wicked people have opposite goals, motives, and intentions. They may even have the same goal, for example, raising good children, but have differing ideas of what “good” is. Other ways to translate this clause are:

How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? (NLT)

Can someone who is righteous share goals with someone who is evil?

righteousness: This word refers to doing what is right and good in God’s sight. A righteous person has good morals and great integrity. He does what God requires him to do. Other ways to translate this word are:

uprightness (NJB)

straight ways

wickedness: The Greek word that the BSB translates as wickedness is literally “lawlessness” (as in the NRSV). This word refers to breaking laws as a way of life. For example:

law-breaking (NJB)

6:14c

Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

Or, can the kingdom of the light have a close relationship with the kingdom of darkness?
Another example: light cannot share a place with darkness.

Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?: The word fellowship refers to a close relationship, like two brothers who love each other very much. Other ways to translate this clause are:

How can light and darkness share life together? (JBP)

Can light associate with darkness? (REB)

Light and darkness cannot share together. (NCV)

Can someone who walks in the light have a close relationship with someone who walks in the darkness?

light…darkness: These words are metaphors. They refer to two different kingdoms. God’s kingdom is described as light. Satan’s kingdom is described as darkness.

In some languages a literal translation would not have the figurative meaning of the metaphors. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
people of the light…people of the darkness
Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. For example:
These words are metaphors. “Light” refers to people who follow God. “Darkness” refers to people who do not follow God.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Μή γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις τίς γάρ μετοχή δικαιοσύνῃ καί ἀνομίᾳ ἤ τίς κοινωνία φωτί πρός σκότος)

Here Paul refers to a farming practice in which two or more animals were yoked together with a piece of wood that was then connected to a plow or cart. In this way, the animals together pulled the plow or cart. Paul applies this farming practice to people to indicate that believers should not try to accomplish what God wants them to do by working with unbelievers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a similar figure of speech or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [Do not team up with unbelievers] or [Do not have a close relationship with unbelievers]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

μὴ γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you must state who does the action, Paul implies that people do it to themselves. Alternate translation: [Do not yoke yourselves together]

Note 3 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

Here, the word for introduces some reasons why the Corinthians should not be yoked with unbelievers. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different word or phrase that introduces reasons for a command. Alternate translation: [because]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

τίς & μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ, ἢ τίς κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος?

what & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Μή γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις τίς γάρ μετοχή δικαιοσύνῃ καί ἀνομίᾳ ἤ τίς κοινωνία φωτί πρός σκότος)

Here Paul is using the question form to deny that something could be true. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could express the idea by using strong negations. Alternate translation: [righteousness and lawlessness cannot have partnership! Nor can light and darkness have fellowship!]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τίς & μετοχὴ δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἀνομίᾳ

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of partnership, righteousness, and lawlessness, you could express the ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [can righteous people and lawless people partner] or [can what is righteous partner with what is lawless]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τίς κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος?

what what fellowship_‹exists› (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Μή γίνεσθε ἑτεροζυγοῦντες ἀπίστοις τίς γάρ μετοχή δικαιοσύνῃ καί ἀνομίᾳ ἤ τίς κοινωνία φωτί πρός σκότος)

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of fellowship, light, and darkness, you could express the ideas in another way. Alternate translation: [can what is bright go together with what is dark]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

τίς κοινωνία φωτὶ πρὸς σκότος?

Here Paul speaks about how light and darkness do not have fellowship. He could be speaking about: (1) things and people that are good (light) and things and people that are evil (darkness). Alternate translation: [what fellowship do good people have with evil people] (2) God’s kingdom and people (light) and Satan’s kingdom and people (darkness). Alternate translation: [what fellowship does God’s kingdom have with Satan’s kingdom]

Parallel 2 COR 6:14

Section 6:11–7:4: Paul urged them to love him and live holy lives

6:14a

6:14b–16a

6:14b

6:14c

Parallel 2 COR 6:14