1 Corinthians 5 10

1 Corinthians 5:10 kjv

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.

1 Corinthians 5:10 nkjv

Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

1 Corinthians 5:10 niv

not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.

1 Corinthians 5:10 esv

not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

1 Corinthians 5:10 nlt

But I wasn't talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.

1 Corinthians 5 verses

1 Corinthians 5 10 Meaning

Paul clarifies his directive from the previous verse (1 Corinthians 5:9) about avoiding association with immoral people. He states that he does not at all mean Christians should entirely disassociate themselves from the sexually immoral, greedy, swindlers, or idolaters who belong to this present world system. His reasoning is that such complete isolation from non-believers would be practically impossible, as it would require Christians to literally remove themselves from human society. The true distinction, he implies, lies in the purity maintained within the Christian community.

1 Corinthians 5 10 Context

This verse is a crucial clarification within the larger context of Paul's letter to the church in Corinth. In chapter 5, Paul severely rebukes the Corinthians for their tolerance of a scandalous case of sexual immorality (a man sleeping with his father's wife) among them. In 1 Cor 5:9, he gives the instruction, "I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people." Verse 10 immediately follows as an essential interpretive safeguard, preventing the Corinthians from misapplying his instruction to everyone outside the church.Corinth was a bustling, diverse, and morally debauched port city, famed for its vices. Its pervasive paganism and immorality meant that believers could not simply isolate themselves from every immoral person, as that would necessitate physically withdrawing from all aspects of city life. Paul’s point is that separation applies to maintaining the spiritual purity and distinctness of the Christian community itself, not to severing all interaction with the unregenerate world they are called to live among and witness to. Verses 11-13 further delineate this, stating that the directive applies specifically to professing Christians living in unrepentant sin, while "those outside" are judged by God.

1 Corinthians 5 10 Word analysis

• Not (οὐ): A direct and absolute negative particle, indicating a strong negation of the proposed interpretation.
• at all (πάντως): An adverb intensifying the negation, meaning "altogether," "by all means," or "certainly." Paul emphatically states this is absolutely not what he meant.
• meaning (ἐστιν): The verb "to be," indicating identity or, in this context, the intended scope of his previous statement.
• the sexually immoral (τοῖς πόρνοις / tois pornois): Dative plural from pornos, meaning one who engages in porneia. Porneia is a broad term for various illicit sexual activities, including fornication, adultery, incest (the specific sin in 1 Cor 5:1), prostitution, etc. Its inclusion highlights the rampant sexual looseness of Corinth.
• of this world (τοῦ κόσμου τούτου / tou kosmou toutou): Kosmos refers to the created universe, but often in the NT (especially Paul and John) to the human world alienated from God, characterized by its prevailing sinful systems and values. The demonstrative "this" emphasizes the present, unredeemed sphere of human existence. This phrase is key; it clarifies Paul is referring to non-Christians.
• or (ἢ): A disjunctive conjunction, separating the categories of people.
• the greedy (τοῖς πλεονέκταις / tois pleonektais): Dative plural from pleonektes, one who is grasping, covetous, or avaricious, always wanting more. Paul often links covetousness with idolatry (Eph 5:5, Col 3:5), seeing it as a desire that displaces God.
• and swindlers (καὶ ἅρπαξιν / kai harpaksin): Dative plural from harpax, an extortioner, robber, or one who takes by force or fraud. These actions exploit others and undermine societal trust.
• or idolaters (ἢ εἰδωλολάτραις / ē eidōlolatrais): Dative plural from eidōlolatrēs, one who worships idols or serves other gods. Corinth was full of pagan temples and practices, making this a pervasive societal reality.
• since then (ἐπεί ἄρα / epei ara): Epei (since/for otherwise) introduces the logical consequence of the misinterpretation. Ara (then/consequently) emphasizes that what follows is a necessary inference.
• you would need (ὀφείλετε / opheilete): From opheilō, "to owe," "be obliged," "be bound to." Implies a moral or logical necessity.
• to go out (ἐξελθεῖν / exelthein): An aorist infinitive, "to exit," "to depart," or "to leave."
• of the world (ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου / ek tou kosmou): Reiteration of kosmos, signifying a physical departure from human society itself.

Word Group/Phrase Analysis:

• "Not at all meaning the sexually immoral...of this world": This phrase functions as an immediate and strong correction of a potential misunderstanding. It stresses that Paul's previous command did not refer to a blanket avoidance of unbelievers engaged in sin, as that would render Christian existence in society impossible.
• "or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters": By grouping these specific sins, Paul lists typical behaviors found in the pagan society of Corinth. These are not merely individual failings but characteristics of "the world" apart from God. The implication is that believers cannot simply wall themselves off from every single person in society who exhibits these behaviors.
• "since then you would need to go out of the world": This phrase presents a reductio ad absurdum argument. It highlights the logical and practical impossibility of such an interpretation. To physically abandon the world would be to abandon their God-given mission to be salt and light within it (Matt 5:13-16) and to preach the Gospel to it (Matt 28:19). It also implies that Paul's concern is about the integrity of the believing community, not a utopian separation from all human contact.

1 Corinthians 5 10 Bonus section

This verse implicitly sets boundaries for Christian engagement: Christians are not to participate in the listed immoralities, nor are they to give the impression of condoning them within their fellowship, but they are to interact with those who practice such sins in the world. It draws a vital distinction between evangelistic interaction and spiritual intimacy. While 2 Corinthians 6:14 warns against being "unequally yoked" (implying deep, foundational partnerships, e.g., marriage, business alliances that compromise faith), 1 Corinthians 5:10 validates everyday, non-complying interactions with the unbelieving world for the purpose of living life and potentially sharing the Gospel. This highlights Paul's practical wisdom, preventing an extreme interpretation that would undermine the very mission of the church. The principle allows for what is often termed "friendship evangelism," where believers intentionally build relationships with non-believers, aiming to share the hope of Christ, while not partaking in their sin.

1 Corinthians 5 10 Commentary

1 Corinthians 5:10 is a pivotal verse, serving as Paul's clarification regarding the scope of Christian fellowship and discipline. It addresses a fundamental tension for believers: how to maintain spiritual purity while living within a morally corrupt world. Paul insists that his directive in verse 9 — "not to associate with sexually immoral people" — was never intended to command a complete physical or social withdrawal from unbelievers. Such a literal interpretation would require a monastic-like retreat from society, making it impossible to earn a living, buy goods, sell products, or engage in any normal social interactions.The significance of this verse lies in its balance. While demanding stringent ethical standards and purity within the Christian community (evidenced by the call for discipline in verses 1-8), Paul acknowledges and affirms the necessity of engaging with those outside the church. Christians are called to be "in the world but not of the world" (John 17:15-18). This distinction ensures that the church maintains its distinctiveness as a holy body, yet remains actively present for mission, evangelism, and benevolent influence in society. The church's purpose is not to condemn outsiders, whom God judges (1 Cor 5:13), but to be a light and a witness to them. Practical usage: Believers can work alongside non-Christian colleagues, interact with immoral neighbors, or do business with people of varying ethics, but they are not to join in their sinful practices, affirm their ungodly lifestyles, or enter into spiritually compromising alliances.