The previous letter

The previous passage dealt with the problem of sexual immorality, and today’s passage continues that discussion. Paul says, “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.” This indicates that there was another letter written before the one we now know as First Corinthians. In that letter, Paul wrote, “not to associate with sexually immoral people,” but it seems that the Corinthian Christians did not fully understand what he meant. Therefore, he decided to give them more detailed instruction. (1) The city of Corinth existed in a morally corrupt environment. Many sexually immoral people, greedy people, swindlers, and idolaters lived there. (2) If Christians were forbidden to associate with such people, it would become impossible for them to maintain family life or function in society, and they could no longer live in the city of Corinth. (3) What Paul actually meant was how believers should relate to someone who is called a “brother” – that is, how fellowship within the church should be conducted. (4) Paul teaches that believers must not associate with someone who claims to be a believer and yet continues to live in sin. To the earlier list of “the sexually immoral, the greedy, swindlers, and idolaters,” he now adds “revilers” and “drunkards.”

Problems within the church

Paul’s conclusion regarding sexual immorality is this. (1) As for those outside the church, God will judge them, so they should be left to Him. (2) However, when it comes to sin within the church, it must not be ignored. The church must call the sinner to repentance, and if there is no repentance, that “wicked person” must be removed from the fellowship of the church. Once again, let’s meditate on the meaning of these words: “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?” (5:6).