What exactly is an unbeliever?

The Greek word is ἄπιστος, 'not believing,' and hence an 'unbeliever.' 2 Cor. 6:15; 1 Tim. 5:8. The word is translated 'unbeliever' in Luke 12:46; 1 Cor. 6:6; 1 Cor. 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:14; and 'unbelieving' in 1 Cor. 7:14-15; Titus 1:15; Rev. 21:8. Thus the scriptural use of the term does not imply the denial of the truth of Christianity, as it is now commonly understood.

ἄπιστος. The name given in scripture to the class of persons who have not faith in the divine revelation of the gospel. Luke 12:46; 1 Cor. 6:6; 1 Cor. 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:14. The word is translated 'infidel' in 2 Cor. 6:15; 1 Tim. 5:8; and 'faithless' in Matt. 17:17; Mark 9:19; Luke 9:41; John 20:27.

First, believers and unbelievers are governed by opposing principles. Righteousness can have no fellowship with unrighteousness, nor light with darkness. The Apostle does not imply that the unbeliever is necessarily dishonest in his dealing with his fellow-man; but he acts according to his own will without reference to God, and walks in ignorance of God.

Examine the passage for a moment and see how this is so. We are not to be "unequally yoked together with unbelievers." The word "unequally" might more accurately be translated "diversely." It is an allusion to Deuteronomy 22:10 where it is forbidden to plough with such animals together as an ox and an ass. They are diverse in nature and hence thoroughly different in habits and gait. It would be an utter misfit and entail misery for both animals. Now there is a fundamental diversity of nature between the believer and the unbeliever, which forbids anything like a yoke between them. Of course we move amongst unbelievers and have much contact with them in our daily callings, and oftentimes even in the home. We are called upon to behave with the utmost grace and to let our light shine before them. But we are not to be yoked with them.

The question may be asked — What exactly constitutes a yoke? The following verses, containing a series of questions, help to answer this. "What fellowship … what communion … what concord … what part … what agreement?" These five words show what kind of thing is forbidden. Moreover they are followed by the positive instruction to "come out … be separate … touch not the unclean." — three other words which reinforce the five questions. We are not to involve ourselves in any fellowships or partnerships which would yoke us to unbelievers and commit us to the unclean things with which their world is filled. Without any question marriage is a yoke of that kind, and business partnership is another; and other things too come under the scope of this word. Again and again we have to ask ourselves when commitments are proposed to us — Will this thing involve me in an unequal yoke?

It may still further help, for the point is of paramount importance, if we ask the reader to test himself by four words used by the apostle Paul of the past condition of those who had become believers; words therefore which describe the condition of all unconverted souls. Turn, then, to Romans 5:6, there he says, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Here are two words, "without strength," and "ungodly." We may take the latter first, and we ask you, reader, if you accept the term "ungodly" as true of you? Do you say, I am not so bad as that? Let us then inquire into the meaning of the word. Because the word has come to be applied to outward conduct, its real significance has been lost. As used in the scriptures it applies to the state of heart as well as to actions, and it means "godless," that is, to be without God — to feel and to act apart from God, without reference to Him or to His will. Suppose, now, I follow you into your house, and I see you taking your seat at the table without thanking God for His mercies; or if I accompany you to your chamber, and see you lay yourself down to rest at night without commending yourself to God, or seeking His protecting care, I should at once say, That is an ungodly man: he does not acknowledge God, he is truly godless.

But what about those who are unbelievers? They have sinned away their title to life upon earth; they have lived for the world; they have sought after the things that pleased themselves; they have done their own will, and have disregarded the revealed will of God; they have refused to avail themselves of the salvation which is in Christ Jesus; they may have been moral, or immoral, but they have paid no attention to the claims of God, or to their need of a Saviour now judgment is before them: “He that believes not shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

Believe God's call on you to doubt in yourself, to hear Christ's word (for the law can only condemn a sinner), and believe Him that sent Jesus in love as a Saviour. And what is His message to you? "Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me, hath life eternal, and cometh not into judgment, but is passed out of death into life" (John 5:24). The bold unbeliever braves the word of God and refuses to humble himself; the serious unbeliever tries to do better, trusting himself and his powers. The true believer owns himself lost, and finds Christ a Saviour indeed and in truth. Oh! look to Him and live.

Now, for an unbeliever to say he is in the light, or to profess that he has community of life with God, is to make a false claim. He is in relation to the darkness, belongs to it, does not know God, has not the life eternal. He is not practising, not even feebly, the truth. He claims to be in relationship with God, to be His child, to be a sharer in His nature and life, but the claim is not true. Now that the light has come and is shining, those who are in it can judge and denounce as untrue the boastful professions of those who are not in it.

"Or what part hath a believer with an unbeliever." Is their portion the same, either in this world or in that to come? Is there any resemblance in their nature or their aims? Regarding the dearest and most momentous interests of man, do these opposite characters think alike, feel alike, hope alike, or fear alike? And should a believer by his actions contradict his faith? Is not the one "of God," whose special gift of faith has made the doctrine of salvation a living reality to his soul; while the other, who beneath the same sound of the gospel of reconciliation abides still in unbelief, is not "of God," but rather of His enemy? And is there no difference between the new creature and the old, that both should be found pursuing the same things? Each has its nature and its end, but how different the heritage assigned to each (Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 9:22-23)!

πιστός, 'trusting, trusty,' also from πίστις, 'faith,' 1 Tim. 4:12; "be thou an example of the believers" The same word is used for "What part hath he that believeth with an infidel, or unbeliever?" 2 Cor. 6:15. 'Believers' are a class of persons, who, through the mercy of God, have faith in Christ as the Son of God, and in His atoning work on the cross. See FAITH.