Biblical Guidance on Fellowship With Non-Believers
The biblical guidance on fellowship with non-believers is rooted in passages such as 2 Corinthians 6:14, which warns against being "unequally yoked together with unbelievers" [1, 2]. This verse is often cited as a basis for caution in associating with those who do not share one's faith. The phrase "unequally yoked" is an allusion to the law in Deuteronomy 22:10, which prohibits yoking together an ox and an ass [6].
In understanding the nature of fellowship, Easton's Bible Dictionary defines it as involving "mutual interest, spiritual and temporal" among believers, as well as "enjoyment of God's presence" and "conformity to his image" [3]. The dictionary also notes that communion, or fellowship, is a key aspect of the Lord's Supper, representing the bond between Christ and his disciples, as well as among the disciples themselves [4].
The early Christian tradition, as reflected in the writings of the Church Fathers, emphasizes the importance of avoiding unnecessary interaction with unbelievers to preserve the faith and discipline of the community. For instance, the letter "To All the Bishops of Gaul" advises against admitting excommunicated persons or unbelievers to accuse anyone or have intercourse with the faithful [7].
Thomas Aquinas addresses the issue of communication with unbelievers, suggesting that it is forbidden in certain circumstances, either as a punishment or for the safety of the faithful. He cites 1 Corinthians 5:6, where Paul warns against associating with those who are guilty of serious sin [5].
While some interpretations suggest that believers should avoid all forms of association with unbelievers, others argue that this is not practical or necessary. John Gill, for example, notes that civil society and conversation with unbelievers are not entirely forbidden, as this would be impracticable and would require believers to withdraw from the world [6]. Calvin, in his commentary on Colossians 4:5-6, advises believers to "walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time," suggesting a balanced approach that is both cautious and engaging [8].
The biblical guidance on fellowship with non-believers thus involves a nuanced balance between maintaining one's faith and engaging with those outside the community of believers. This balance is reflected in the various interpretations and traditions within Christianity, from the cautious warnings of 2 Corinthians 6:14 to the advice on wise engagement found in Colossians 4:5-6 [1, 8].
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 6:14 (NASB) — Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 6:14 (Webster) — Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fellowship — (1.) With God, consisting in the knowledge of his will (Job 22:21; John 17:3); agreement with his designs (Amos 3:2); mutual affection (Rom. 8: 38, 39); enjoyment of his presence (Ps. 4:6); conformity to his image (1 John 2:6; 1:6); and participation of his felicity (1 John 1:3, 4; Eph. 3:14-21). (2.) Of saints with one another, in duties (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:1; 1 Thess. 5:17, 18); in ordinances (Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:46); in grace, love, joy, etc. (Mal. 3:16; 2 Cor. 8:4); mutual interest, spiritual and temporal (Rom. 12:4, 13; Heb. 13:16); in sufferings (”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Communion — Fellowship with God (Gen. 18:17-33; Ex. 33:9-11; Num. 12:7, 8), between Christ and his people (John 14:23), by the Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1), of believers with one another (Eph. 4:1-6). The Lord's Supper is so called (1 Cor. 10:16, 17), because in it there is fellowship between Christ and his disciples, and of the disciples with one another.”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part (Secunda Secundae), Of Unbelief in General, Art. 9: Article: Whether it is lawful to communicate with unbelievers? I answer that, Communication with a particular person is forbidden to the faithful, in two ways: first, as a punishment of the person with whom they are forbidden to communicate; secondly, for the safety of those who are forbidden to communicate with others. Both motives can be gathered from the Apostle's words (1 Cor. 5:6). For after he had pronounced sentence of excommunication, he adds as his reason: "Know you not that a”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 6:13: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers,.... This seems to be an allusion to the law in Deu 22:10 and to be a mystical explanation of it; and is to be understood not as forbidding civil society and converse with unbelievers; for this is impracticable, then must believers needs go out of the world; this the many natural and civil relations subsisting among men make absolutely necessary; and in many cases is both lawful and laudable, especially when there is any opportunity or likelihood of doing them any service in a spiritual way: not is it to be un”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 8: Twelve Patriarchs, Excerpts, Epistles, Apocrypha, Decretals — TO ALL THE BISHOPS OF GAUL. (part 2): destroy discipline, and injury will be done assuredly to the souls of the faithful. Such persons, moreover, are not to be admitted to accuse any one: neither can their voice, nor that of those who are under the ban, injure or criminate any man. (Of those who have intercourse with excommunicated persons, or with unbelievers.) Those, too, who are excommunicated by the priests, let no one receive previous to the just examination of both sides; nor let him have any intercourse with such i”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 42.1: Colossians 4:5-9 5. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 5. Sapienter ambulate erga extraneos, tempus redimentes. 6. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 6. Sermo vester semper in gratia sit sale conditus: ut sciatis quomodo oporteat vos unicuique respondere. 7. All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 7. Res meas omnes patefaciet vo”