What does 1 Corinthians 5:11 mean?

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. 1 Corinthians 5:11

Explanation

1 Corinthians 5:11 is a verse in which the Apostle Paul instructs the Christian community in Corinth to not associate with individuals who engage in certain types of serious sin and who identify as Christians (“a brother”). The verse emphasizes the point that believers should not associate with people who are sexually immoral (fornicators), greedy (covetous), idolatrous, verbally abusive (railers), drunkards, or swindlers (extortioners). Specifically, Paul states that true believers should not even share a meal (symbolic of fellowship and acceptance) with such individuals. On the surface, this directive is about maintaining the purity and integrity of the Christian community. On a deeper level, it suggests that personal relationships should encourage righteousness and that believers have a responsibility to hold each other accountable.

Historical Context

The city of Corinth was a major trade center in the Roman Empire with diverse cultures and religious practices, often associated with loose morals and paganism. The congregation there would have been faced with issues arising from integrating their new faith with the prevailing societal norms, which condoned practices Paul lists as sinful. The early Christian community often dealt with questions about how to relate to non-believers and to fellow believers who continued in sinful behaviors. Paul’s advice in this passage reflects an effort to guide the Corinthian church through such complex social dynamics while preserving the Christian ethical and moral standards.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse reflects the Christian concept of church discipline and communal holiness. In Catholicism and many Protestant traditions, the idea of excluding individuals from the community for moral failure is seen as a last resort, meant for the repentance and ultimate restoration of the sinner. Some theologians emphasize that this type of discipline reflects God’s holiness and the importance of repentance and reconciliation. Others focus on the impact of sin within a community and the need for boundaries to prevent the spread of behaviors deemed contrary to Christian teachings.

Practical Applications

In a modern context, the teachings of 1 Corinthians 5:11 can apply to how individuals and faith communities interact with those living in ways contrary to their beliefs. This may involve setting boundaries in personal relationships, such as not spending time with someone whose actions are harmful or contrary to one’s values. Churches may also use this verse as a basis for organizational discipline, to address issues of morality within their congregations, also balancing this with a call to love, forgiveness, and restoration.

Cross-References

• Matthew 18:15-17 – Discusses the steps of confronting a brother who sins against you leading to removal from the community if unrepentant.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14 – Command not to associate with believers who are idle and disruptive and to note those who do not obey Paul’s teachings.
• Romans 16:17 – Urges believers to avoid those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the teachings learned.
• 1 Corinthians 5:9 – Earlier in the same chapter, Paul mentions not to associate with sexually immoral people outside of the church.

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of this verse include:

• “Fornicator” (Gk. “pornos”) – Someone engaging in sexual immorality.
• “Covetous” (Gk. “pleonektes”) – Greedy for wealth or material gain.
• “Idolater” (Gk. “eidololatres”) – One who worships idols, pertinent in a city with polytheistic practices.
• “Railer” (Gk. “loidoros”) – A reviler or someone who uses abusive language.
• “Drunkard” (Gk. “methysos”) – A person habitually intoxicated.
• “Extortioner” (Gk. “harpax”) – A swindler or someone who takes by force or fraud.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader ancient world, exclusions from social and religious circles for unethical behavior were not uncommon. Pagan religions sometimes had purity laws that excluded individuals from participating in sacred rites. In Judaism, individuals could be ostracized or expelled from the community for violations of the Law. Paul’s instructions echo similar practices but are framed within the context of the Christian faith and its emphasis on moral behavior reflecting the teachings of Jesus.

Scientific Perspectives

The intersection of this verse with modern science may revolve around the understanding of human behavior and social dynamics. Psychological research explores the impact of social exclusion and may examine the effects of such practices on individuals. While the verse is prescriptive in a religious context, from a scientific perspective, further study on the psychological and societal consequences of exclusion would contribute insights into the efficacy and impacts of such practices.

Commentaries

Various scholars and theologians have provided commentaries on this verse:

• John Calvin saw the exclusion not as a punishment per se, but as a form of tough love meant to shock the sinner into repentance.
• Matthew Henry emphasized the need to avoid hypocrites within the church, even more so than people of the world who make no profession of faith.
• Gordon D. Fee, in his commentary on 1 Corinthians, argues that Paul’s concern is for the corporate holiness of the church body rather than just individual morality.
• Richard Hays sees Paul’s instruction as a call for the church to embody a counter-cultural witness in a pagan society. Many commentators agree that Paul’s intent is not to punish, but to protect the church from moral and spiritual decay and hopefully to restore the offending person to fellowship through repentance.