Question: "What about dating unbelievers?"

ANSWER: Thanks for the excellent question! The question itself indicates to me that you are wanting God's best in your life, and searching His Word, to find what He thinks, is how we find God's best. I think the answer is summed up in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 : 2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

In verse 14, "unequally yoked" is from two Greek words meaning to "Join unequally". It comes from "yoking" oxen together, so that they "pull" or "work together" in a harness. If you place an ox on one side of a yoke that hears his masters voice, and an ox on the other side of the harness that does not hear the masters voice, imagine the confusion trying to plow a field.

The rest of verse 14, 15 & 16 tells us what Paul is talking about yoking together:

--- righteousness with unrighteousness

--- light with darkness

--- Christ with Belial (paganism)

--- he that believeth with an infidel (unbeliever)

--- the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God;

Eph 2:2 Tells us that prior to salvation, we were walking according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the children of disobedience.

2 Cor 6:17 & 18 provide the answer; "come out from among them", if you want God's best.

My father gave me some excellent advice when I was dating, "do not ever date a woman that you would not want to marry".

In 2 Cor chapter 6, Paul is talking about not marrying, dating, being in any close relationship, and possibly not being in business partnership, with unbelievers.

Paul cannot be recommending divorce in the case of an unbelieving spouse though. He has already addressed that case in 1 Cor 7:12-15.

Ultimately, this is a decision between you and your Heavenly Father.

Hope this helps,

Bob Jones