Inquiry:
Is it OK to marry (or stay married to) unbelievers? Is it OK to touch them or be friends with them? (1 Corinthians 7:12-14; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17) Is there a contradiction?
Response:
1 Corinthians 7:12-14 reveals that a Christian who is married to an unbeliever should not seek to leave the relationship. Marriage is a joining of two as one flesh, whether the two are both Christians or not (Genesis 2:24).
There is no Bible text that specifically speaks about whether it is OK for Christians to marry unbelievers, except for 1 Corinthians 7:39, which is specifically about widows.
Some have applied 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 to marriage, though Paul does not specifically mentioned marriage in the text. The context seems to be addressing idolatry in particular, with words such as Belial, unbelievers, idols, touching unclean things, etc..
That said, there are other ways besides worship wherein people might be yoked together, or have fellowship or communion. Marriage is one of those. If a marriage already exists between a believer and unbeliever, it is not to be dissolved, but it may not be wise to knowingly enter such a union.
We should be concerned about the company we keep. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says “evil company corrupts good habits.” Most parents are concerned about who their children hang out with. Is it wrong that God be concerned too?
We cannot (1 Corinthians 5:9-10) and should not avoid contact with unbelievers. The Christian cannot affect unbelievers for the gospel’s sake without contact. No Bible text says we cannot be friends with unbelievers, but it is important to be careful about how one is influenced.
None of these texts are in contradiction.
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