Question
Can a Christian marry unbeliever?
Answer
Sometimes there is a course that is “well” but another path that is “better” (1 Corinthians 7:38). I believe this is the case with the answer to your question.
God does allow a Christian to be married to an unbeliever (1 Peter 3:1-2). In fact He forbids a Christian who is married to an unbeliever to divorce the unbeliever simply because that mate is not a Christian (1 Corinthians 7:12-13).
Some contend 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 teaches it is a sin for a Christian to marry a nonchristian. First, the passage never mentions marriage but is completely generic. It is wrong to “be unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14) in any relationship. If it is sinful to marry an unbeliever, it’s sinful to enter a business partnership with an unbeliever. Furthermore, the passage doesn’t just forbid entering such a relationship, it commands us not to remain in one. The apostle doesn’t command, “Do not become unequally yoked”; he demands “Do not be unequally yoked.” If this passage means it’s wrong for a believer to marry an unbeliever, then a Christian in such a marriage must divorce his mate. But the Lord forbids that (1 Corinthians 7:12-13).
Second Corinthians 7:1, which concludes the context, makes the application of the passage clear. “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” A Christian must not be in a relationship with an unbeliever which forces him to share in the unbeliever’s sins. It would be wrong to be in business with an unbeliever who cheated customers. You would be sharing in his sins. It would be wrong to marry a Catholic if you had to agree to raise your children to be Catholics.
But it is better to marry a faithful Christian. Marriage is the closest of all fleshly relationships (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). The husband has a great affect on his wife’s faithfulness, as she does on his. “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals’” (1 Corinthians 15:33, New American Standard Bible). Christ and His kingdom must always be first in our lives (Matthew 6:33; Luke 14:26).
Women, how can you give to the church if your husband is not a Christian and doesn’t want his money going to the church? Men, how can bring up your children in “the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) if your wife, their mother, is teaching them to be worldly or to be unbelievers?
When I became old enough to be interested in marriage, I determined only to keep company with young women who were faithful to the Lord. Sandy and I made plans for my preaching work before we were married. This September we will have our fifty-second wedding anniversary. All four of our children were faithful to the Lord when they left our home. She has been my dependable helper in the Lord’s work through the years.
When seeking a marriage partner, seek one who will help you go to heaven. It is better to go through life without a marriage partner than to be cast into hell with one.
