Understanding 1 Corinthians 5:9-11
The Context of 1 Corinthians 5:9-11
In 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, the apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian church, addressing a sensitive issue of immorality within the congregation. The passage is a continuation of Paul's warning against tolerating sin within the church.
The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 5:9-11
Verse 9
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people (1 Corinthians 5:9, NKJV).
In this verse, Paul reminds the Corinthian church of his previous instruction to avoid association with sexually immoral people. This is not a reference to the sexually immoral people outside the church, but rather those who claim to be brothers and sisters in Christ.
Verses 10-11
not at all meaning the sexually immoral people of this world, or the covetous and swindlers, or idolaters, since you would need to go out of the world. But I wrote to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. (1 Corinthians 5:10-11, NKJV).
Paul clarifies that his instruction is not to avoid association with sinful people outside the church, as that would be impossible. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of not associating with those who claim to be Christians but persist in sinful behavior, such as fornication, covetousness, idolatry, reviling, drunkenness, or extortion. This includes not even eating with such a person, implying a complete separation from them.
The Significance of 1 Corinthians 5:9-11
This passage highlights the importance of maintaining the purity of the church and upholding God's standards of holiness. By separating from sinful brothers and sisters, the church is forced to confront and deal with the sin, rather than ignoring or tolerating it.
Additionally, this passage emphasizes the difference between believers and unbelievers. While believers are called to love and evangelize the unsaved, they are not to compromise their own standards of holiness by condoning sinful behavior within the church.
Conclusion
1 Corinthians 5:9-11 serves as a reminder to the church to maintain its purity and uphold God's standards of holiness. By separating from sinful brothers and sisters, the church is able to preserve its integrity and maintain its witness to the world.
