With Such an One, Do Not Eat

I Corinthians 5:9-13

Many groups have established compounds or monasteries where they can separate themselves from the temptations of the world. The idea is that we will thus be able to serve God more completely. Unfortunately, it seems that what coes on inside the monasteries and compounds is worse than what is on the outside. Wayne Bent's compound in Northern New Mexico is a prime example. He was convicted of sexual contactr with a minor, although he insisted it was a purely spiritual experience. Sadly, many parents have discovered the same problem in Christian schools. Paul addresses how the church should deal with overt sin in the following passage.

"I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 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. 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.

For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." (I Corinthians 5:9-13)

It is not the Christian's place to not have contact with the world, though that may seem desirable. Christ came into the world to save sinners. He was accused of associating with sinners. Paul makes it clear that we are not to isolate ourselves from the unsaved world. It is not our place to force them to adapt to our standards either. We are to preach the gospel to every creature, and we can't if we isolate ourselves.

On the other hand, as Christians, we are to avoid becoming entangled with those who do not believe in God. II Corinthians 6:14-18 is very specific about this, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

We are to be different from those who do not believe in God. We are not to associate with any person who claims to be a Christian if he "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." We are not to place our approval on the sin these are committing by fellowshipping with them as Christians. In Fact Paul directs that they are to be put out of the church. It would be better for kids to be in a secular school than in a so called Christian school where such behaviour is ignored.


Jesus said that if they were put out of the church, they were to be treated as a publican, or a heathen man, not as an enemy. In other words, they are to be treated as an unsaved person. Galatians 5:19-21 makes it clear that those who live in such a fashion are not Christians. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

Clearly, from Jesus teaching in Matthew 18, when he instructs us to try to get them to change before putting them out of the church, it is possible for a Christian to commit these sins, but if he persists, his salvation is in doubt. We are to treat him as if he is not saved. If we have followed Christ's instructions, he has been given 3 occasions to repent before being put out. God will judge those outside the church.

The behaviour Paul lists as requiring separatuion from is instructive. They are as follows "a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner." The word fornicator refers to one who is engaged in overt sexual sin. Covetous desires other peoples property, and Galatians 5:5 defines it as a form of idolatry.

I Corinthians 10:21 makes it clear "Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." You cannot be a Christian and worship other gods. Practicing anothe religion requires that one be put out of the church.

A railer is one who rails on people. One who is abusive, either physically or verbally is to be excluded from the church. A drunkard, one who habitually gets drunk must be excluded. An extortioner, one who cheats financially, is also to be excluded, but none are to be excluded without a chance to repent, or on a single persons complaint.

Unspiritual people avoid putting out the guilty, hoping to change them. Instead, others are encouraged to go into the same sin, as I have observed repeatedly. Failure to follow God's directions in excluding sinners has prevented many from being restored, turning even saved people further into sin. II Corinthians 2:5-8 shows that when God's plan is followed, it can result in even those who totally rebelled being turning to Christ, which is the ultimate goal.