1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Notice how Paul doesn't just list sins, but pairs them with a specific consequence: "not even to eat with such a one." This isn't about total isolation, but about the intimacy we share in fellowship – even a shared meal is too close for someone actively living in unrepentant sin. It’s a stark reminder that genuine brotherhood demands a shared standard, not just a shared label.
Paul is addressing a deeply concerning situation within the Corinthian church where members are tolerating blatant sin, even boasting about it. He's just called them to account for allowing someone to engage in incest and is now outlining the practical steps they must take to deal with unrepentant, sinful members. This instruction on how to handle sin within the community directly follows his call for purity and precedes his explanation of how to judge those inside the church.
Paul addresses a serious issue in the Corinthian church: unrepentant sin within the community. What does it mean for the church to address this today?
Setting Boundaries for Holiness
Paul doesn't mince words here. He's telling the Corinthians (and us!) that genuine faith has consequences for our behavior. When someone in the community is living openly in sin – like sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, or abusive speech – they are not to be associated with. This isn't about being judgmental or unforgiving, but about protecting the spiritual health of the whole body of Christ.
Why the strong stance?
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The instruction 'not even to eat with such a one' sounds incredibly harsh. What is Paul really saying about fellowship?
The Significance of Table Fellowship
In biblical times, sharing a meal was a profound expression of fellowship, unity, and acceptance. It wasn't just about nourishment; it was about community.
When Paul says 'not even to eat with such a one,' he's not talking about avoiding every casual encounter or business transaction. He's addressing close, intimate fellowship within the Christian community.
Understand the original words
adelphos · Greek Noun
One who belongs to the family of God through faith in Christ; a fellow member of the body of Christ. The term signifies a relational bond based on shared spiritual life.
porneia · Greek Noun
Sexual relations outside of the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman, encompassing all forms of illicit sexual activity. In a biblical context, it is a serious violation of God's design for human intimacy and holiness.
pleonektēs · Greek Noun
An intense, selfish desire for more, often involving wealth or possessions. It is condemned in Scripture as a form of idolatry, as it places material gain above trust in God.
eidōlolatrēs · Greek Noun
A person who worships or venerates anything other than the one true God. This includes both physical images and spiritual or emotional substitutes that replace God's rightful place in a person's life.
loidoros · Greek Noun
One who speaks abusively, insultingly, or railingly against others. This conduct is viewed as inconsistent with the character of a believer, who is called to speak life and truth.
methysos · Greek Noun
A person who is enslaved to alcohol or intoxicants, resulting in a loss of self-control and sober-mindedness. The Bible consistently warns against drunkenness as a hindrance to godly living.
harpax · Greek Noun
A person who obtains money or property through deceit, fraud, or exploitation of others. This term emphasizes the lack of integrity and love for one's neighbor.
Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 5 comes during a period when the early church was grappling with how to maintain purity while engaging with a world steeped in practices contrary to Christian teaching.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul established the church in Corinth during his missionary journeys, facing a city known for its wealth, trade, and moral decadence.
c. AD 55— this verse
Paul Writes First Letter to Corinthians
Receiving reports of serious divisions and moral issues within the Corinthian church, Paul pens his first letter to address these problems directly.
c. AD 56
Paul Writes Second Letter to Corinthians
Following up on his first letter, Paul writes a second, more personal letter, discussing his apostolic authority and expressing relief over the church's repentance.
This passage outlines Jesus' teaching on church discipline, emphasizing confronting sin within the community and, if unrepented, treating the unrepentant person as an outsider, which directly parallels the instruction in 1 Corinthians.
Ephesians 5:3-5Paul here warns against sexual immorality and greed, listing them among actions unfitting for believers and stating that those who practice them have 'no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God,' reinforcing the seriousness of these sins within the church.
1 Timothy 5:20This verse echoes the principle of public rebuke for those who persist in sin, suggesting a community process for addressing ongoing wrongdoing that aligns with the corrective tone of 1 Corinthians 5:11.
Titus 3:10-11Paul instructs Titus to reject a factious person after a first and second warning, demonstrating that while the church should be loving, it must also be willing to disassociate from those who refuse to repent from divisive or sinful behavior.
Notice how Paul doesn't just list sins, but pairs them with a specific consequence: "not even to eat with such a one." This isn't about total isolation, but about the intimacy we share in fellowship – even a shared meal is too close for someone actively living in unrepentant sin. It’s a stark reminder that genuine brotherhood demands a shared standard, not just a shared label.
Paul is addressing a deeply concerning situation within the Corinthian church where members are tolerating blatant sin, even boasting about it. He's just called them to account for allowing someone to engage in incest and is now outlining the practical steps they must take to deal with unrepentant, sinful members. This instruction on how to handle sin within the community directly follows his call for purity and precedes his explanation of how to judge those inside the church.
Paul is addressing a deeply concerning situation within the Corinthian church where members are tolerating blatant sin, even boasting about it. He's just called them to account for allowing someone to engage in incest and is now outlining the practical steps they must take to deal with unrepentant, sinful members. This instruction on how to handle sin within the community directly follows his call for purity and precedes his explanation of how to judge those inside the church.
"But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one." — Notice how Paul doesn't just list sins, but pairs them with a specific consequence: "not even to eat with such a one." This isn't about total isolation, but about the intimacy we share in fellowsh…
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