1 Corinthians 5:9-13
Q.1. What does the Bible mean by dissociating from immoral people? From what kinds of people should we as a church separate? Where does the church have jurisdiction? – (1 Cor.5:9-13)
Paul had just finished addressing gross immorality in the Corinthian church (1 Cor.5:1-5). He realised that his exhortation –not to associate with immoral people (1 Cor.5:9), could be easily misinterpreted by the church. He explained further – 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 (1 Cor.5:10). He then re-emphasized that we are not to associate with an immoral brother – not even to eat with such a one (1 Cor.5:11). He further explained that though the church does not have jurisdiction over the affairs of the world, it is called to – judge those who are within the church (1 Cor.5:12 c.f. Rom.13:1-5). Paul summed up – But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves (1 Cor.5:13). We are called to evangelize the world. This is better achieved when the witness of the church is not compromised by gross sin.