Is An Interracial Marriage An Unequal Yoke?

Would marriage to someone of a different race constitute an unequally yoked marriage? Does the Bible condone interracial marriage as sin? What does the Bible have to say about marrying and mixing races?

This week on the Straight Truth Podcast Dr. Richard Caldwell and Dr. Josh Philpot discuss the questions asked related to interracial marrying and further comment on what race is and what it is not. Dr. Caldwell gives us the biblical perspective on marriage and the standard set forth for the people of God.

Dr. Caldwell says the simple answer is no. The Bible doesn't teach that a marriage made up of two different ethnicities is an unequally yoked marriage; it has nothing to do with race. The Bible doesn't address interracial marriage in terms of what we think of when we think of identifying people by their "race". While Deuteronomy 7:1-3 seems to imply this, it doesn't mean this at all. We need to keep the commandment of verse 3 in its context and continue reading to verse 4 where the reason for the commandment is given. 2 Corinthians 6:14 is where we find the words "unequally yoked" used by the Apostle Paul. Depending on the translation of the Bible used, this verse may read slightly different. Nevertheless, the full statement by Paul, within its context, is about believers being bound to/with unbelievers just as Deuteronomy 7:1-4 infers.