9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Corinthians 5:9-13 KJV)
Immorality Must Be Judged
The apostle Paul instructs the Corinthian believers to avoid associating with those who claim to be Christians but live in scandalous sin. He reminds them, “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people” (1 Corinthians 5:9). Some interpret this as referring to a previous letter now lost, though we lack nothing essential for faith and practice, as God has preserved all necessary Scripture. Others think Paul refers to this current letter, writing with greater clarity now that he better understands their situation.
He explains that if anyone who claims to be a brother in Christ is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a swindler, they must not associate with such a person—not even eat with them (1 Corinthians 5:11). Christians are to withdraw from familiar fellowship with believers who persist in open, unrepentant sin and are under rightful censure for their conduct. Such individuals tarnish the Christian name. Though they profess faith, their actions show otherwise, and until they repent, they should be excluded from Christian fellowship and left to the company of those who share in their sin.
Paul makes an important distinction: this directive does not apply to people outside the church. Christians are not forbidden from associating with immoral people of the world, since they do not claim to live by Christian standards. Such behavior is often consistent with the false gods they worship and the practices they follow. Paul observes, “In that case you would have to leave this world” (1 Corinthians 5:10), because avoiding all immoral unbelievers is impossible while living and working in society.
Christians must show more caution toward sinful believers than sinful nonbelievers. While this may seem paradoxical, it is for good reason. Nonbelievers act as expected; believers, however, claim to follow Christ and yet betray that claim by their actions. Familiarity with such hypocrisy can dull our sense of sin and make us more vulnerable. In contrast, Christians are typically more guarded against the influence of worldly people and aware of the spiritual danger.
Paul also explains that the church has no responsibility to judge outsiders—“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?” (1 Corinthians 5:12). God will judge those outside (1 Corinthians 5:13). But those within the church are subject to its discipline. They are bound by the teachings of Christ and must answer to the church when they transgress. Christians are responsible for recognizing and distancing themselves from unrepentant members, both to protect the integrity of the church and to encourage the sinner to repent. The sins of professing believers dishonor God far more than those of nonbelievers, and the church must not be seen as complicit by tolerating such conduct.
Therefore, Paul concludes decisively: “Expel the wicked person from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:13). Remove him from your fellowship and avoid his company.