The Bible Says
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 Meaning

In 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, Paul makes a distinction, noting that his command to the Corinthians to distance themselves from those who are immoral applies only to the church, not to the general culture in which they dwell. They are to dwell in the world without being stained by the world. Paul reminds them, I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people (v.9).

This reference indicates a previous written communication to the Corinthian believers which is not included as a part of scripture. This letter instructed them to avoid fellowship in the body of Christ with those who persist in immorality. It highlights Paul’s ongoing pastoral engagement and his consistent teaching about holiness within the body.

Yet, there may have been confusion over how far such separation was to go, and to whom it should apply. Especially in a city like Corinth known for rampant moral laxity, this would mean they should stop interacting with anyone within their community. Some in the church might have misunderstood Paul’s directive to mean they should isolate from all sinners, which would mean isolation from the entire community of Corinth. This was not at all what Paul meant, which he will clarify.

Throughout church history unto this present age, this tension of being in the world but not being of the world (John 17:14-16) has been a paradox for the church. However, the broader Scriptural message balances living as holy people while still engaging the world and living according to the love of Christ (Matthew 5:14-16).

Thus, this reminder in verse 9 of what he had previously communicated clarifies Paul’s original intent. He specifically warns against close association with believers who flagrantly engage in sin and refuse repentance, because their unrepentant actions can cause serious spiritual damage within the church. As discussed in the prior section, refusing to discipline those who engage in open immorality is like a cancer that will spread to the entire body.

He clarifies his prior statement to make it clear that his intent was for them to apply only to believers this command to distance themselves from immoral people. He adds, I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world (v.10).

Paul differentiates between society at large and the local church body. If believers were to avoid all contact with sinners in the wider culture, they would have to withdraw completely from normal life; they would go out of the world. That would mean they could not execute the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples wherever they went, through everything they did. How could they make disciples of all nations if they avoid contact with anyone who is not already a disciple?

The gospel commissions believers to go into the world as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8), and disciple makers for Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).

Corinth was filled with idol worshipers, merchants who practiced unethical trade, and people pursuing carnal pleasures. To never associate with them would mean forfeiting opportunities to share God’s truth and love. This is the opposite of what Paul exemplified. He worked in the marketplace and mingled with the sinners, just as Jesus did. Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:10-13). Engaging with non-believers to shine God’s light is a core aspect of the Christian mission (John 17:15-18).

By this clarification, Paul stresses that the church is not to adopt worldly standards nor to remain indifferent when someone inside the Body of Christ commits willful sin and will not repent. Believers are not to be like the world (1 John 2:15-17), but to love the ones in the world (Mark 12:28-31, Luke 6:27-28). We are called to be a witness to the broken world we live in.

Paul makes it more explicit, avoiding any doubt what he means to communicate: But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-not even to eat with such a one (v.11).

The root of the Greek word translated so-called is “onomazo.” It simply means “to name.” It is a verb, while “so-called” is typically used as an adjective. A better translation is “not to associate with any man named a brother.” If someone is among the fellowship and calls himself a believer, then we are to treat him as a believer. Jesus is the One who decides who has believed. He is the One who forgives and makes those who believe into a new creation in Christ. If someone names themselves as a believer, we are to take their word for it and hold them accountable to a standard of moral conduct if they are to be allowed to actively function within a church assembly.

If someone is among the assembly and professes to be a believer, then we should believe them. The fact that they sin does not disqualify them from being a believer. As John asserts, any believer who claims to be without sin deceives himself (1 John 1:8). Rather, if someone who claims to be a believer is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolator, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler, then their fellow believers in the assembly are to avoid associating with them.

Paul says the dissociation should be intentional and distant, saying we should not even sit down and eat with such a one. We tend to become like the people with whom we spend time with (Proverbs 13:20). We do not want to acquire these characteristics, so we should stay away. We do not want to be lured into this type of behavior.

The purpose remains redemptive. By withdrawing normal fellowship, the church signals that continued participation in sin is incompatible with following Jesus and walking in obedience with Him. Walking in obedience to Christ leads to life and walking in the ways of the world leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). Therefore, it is an act of mercy to dissociate with people living sinfully. Rather than accompany them to destruction, the faithful believer is to call them to a better way. Continuing to faithfully walk the difficult path that leads to life is the best way to call them to a better way.

This deliberate action of distancing lets the sinful believer know their behavior is not condoned. The isolation is an invitation that can awaken a wayward brother or sister to the consequences of their choices, leading to repentance rather than destruction (James 5:19-20).

Paul then asks, For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? (v.12).

By outsiders Paul here refers to those outside the church. Paul adds that it is God who judges those outside the church: But those who are outside, God judges (v. 13a). God is the ultimate judge who will bring all things to right. That is His job, not ours. The apostle reiterates that believers are not called to condemn the world or pass final judgment on non-Christians; that is God’s proper role. Instead, the Christian community has an internal, corporate responsibility to discipline those who claim Christ and yet sin blatantly, devotedly, and without repentance.

By distinguishing between judging outsiders and insiders, Paul maintains the church’s focus to make disciples, according to Jesus’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Believers are to engage the lost world in love and truth, leaving judgment of outsiders to God (Acts 17:31). Meanwhile, inside the church, leaders and members alike hold one another accountable to live in a way that honors Jesus and advances the kingdom of God.

Furthermore, this verse grants insight into the biblical vision of community: one committed to holiness, mutual edification, and loving discipline. The Corinthian congregation had to grapple with the implications of tolerating a scandalous sin. Paul stresses that the local church should manage its affairs in alignment with God’s holiness and the truth of His word.

Jesus taught His disciples how to avoid judging improperly while judging appropriately. He made it clear that it is not our job to judge the outside world (Matthew 7:1). In fact, Jesus added that if we seek to usurp His authority in judging others, it will only result in elevating the standard by which we will be judged by Him (Matthew 7:2, 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Jesus goes on to say that when we do see a fault in a brother, we should realize the reason we can see their fault is because we share it (Matthew 7:4). So our first action should be to confess our own sin, realizing that our ability to see their fault points to a need to first examine ourselves. Then, once we have dealt with our own sin, we are told to judge whether the person is ready to receive correction, and if so, to give it (see commentary on Matthew 7:1-5 for a fuller treatment).

It is our goal to correct those inside the church as we have opportunity, and to be corrected by others (James 5:16). But it is not our job to judge those outside the faith, as Paul adds: But those who are outside, God judges (v. 13).

God will ultimately judge every person who remains outside of Christ and persists in sin (Revelation 20:15). The mission of the Church, under God’s direction, is to extend love, forgiveness, and hope to the world while maintaining holiness within its fellowship.

Verse 13 ends with Remove the wicked man from among yourselves (v.13). The phrase Remove the wicked man from among yourselves is in all caps because it quotes Deuteronomy 17:7. This passage in Deuteronomy speaks of putting someone to death on the evidence of two or three witnesses. The punishment applies to anyone who has worshipped a foreign god. Death is separation, as we see physical death is the separation of spirit from body (James 2:26).

But exile is also a form of death, as it separates people from community. Adam and Eve experienced the death of exile from the Garden when they sinned. Thus, Paul infers that the New Testament application of this Old Testament principle from Deuteronomy 17 is to sentence them to exile from fellowship. Properly dissociating from people whose overt sin threatens to poison the entire congregation is a protection for the assembly.

Plus, as has already been noted, exile from fellowship might jolt the sinner to recognize his need for true restoration in Christ. Thus, this spiritual discipline has a dual benefit. It protects believers in the church from being infected by immorality while also putting the sinner in a position to bear the full consequence of their sin and bring them to repentance.

In all these verses, Paul manages the tension between the need for purity within the church with the call to missions in the outside world. As is always the case in scripture, the proper way to manage spiritual tension is through faith.

The church stands as a holy community redeemed by the blood of Christ, intended to be a light to the nations. Dealing with sin decisively among believers is essential to preserve the testimony of Jesus while still reaching out mercifully to those who do not yet know Him.