I think that almost every instance I've heard of someone advising another that they should not be unequally yoked, was a discussion about marriage. However, the source of this scriptural command is not concerned with marriage at all. The New Living Translation puts these verses in language that is clearer for me.
Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.When I look at these verses with fresh eyes, they seem to me to direct Christians to be careful with regard to relationships of all types. Going into to business with a partner, make sure you are equally yoked. Looking for a doubles tennis partner... make sure you are equally yoked. Marriage too, of course.
But I think that these verses offer us even more direction. Close friendships with unbelievers are not advisable. Our parents knew this when they told us they didn't want us hanging out with "those kids" because they would lead us down the wrong path. Many Christians ask for trouble in that virtually all of their friends are either non-Christians or Christians in name only. They may even justify these relationships by saying that Christ said that we should be in the world but not of the world or they argue that Jesus ate and drank with sinners. While all true, Jesus did not spend the vast majority of his time with those sinners, but rather with his followers... and he retreated to be alone with his father even more often. We would be wise to do likewise.
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