1 Corinthians 5 11

1 Corinthians 5:11 kjv

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 nkjv

But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner? not even to eat with such a person.

1 Corinthians 5:11 niv

But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

1 Corinthians 5:11 esv

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler ? not even to eat with such a one.

1 Corinthians 5:11 nlt

I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don't even eat with such people.

1 Corinthians 5 verses

1 Corinthians 5 11 Meaning

This verse specifies to whom the apostle Paul's command concerning social disassociation applies: not to the immoral of the world, but exclusively to those who profess to be followers of Christ, yet persistently live in certain serious, unrepentant sins. It specifically forbids Christians from even sharing a meal (a sign of close fellowship) with anyone within the church who is "called a brother" yet engages in sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, slandering, drunkenness, or swindling. The purpose is to protect the church's purity and, hopefully, to shame the unrepentant individual into repentance.

1 Corinthians 5 11 Context

Chapter 5 of 1 Corinthians addresses a serious issue within the Corinthian church: a man was openly living in sexual immorality with his stepmother, a relationship strictly forbidden by both Jewish law and Roman ethics. Paul had commanded the church to remove this man from their fellowship (1 Cor 5:1-5). In 1 Corinthians 5:9-10, Paul clarifies a previous instruction (perhaps in an earlier letter) that they misunderstood, where he told them "not to associate with sexually immoral people." He explains that he didn't mean they should completely withdraw from the world and its sinners, as that would necessitate leaving the world entirely. Verse 11, therefore, serves as the clarification: the command to not associate, particularly not to "eat with such a one," applies specifically to a professing Christian brother living in unrepentant, egregious sin. This distinct boundary separates judging those inside the church (which is necessary for purity) from judging those outside (which is God's role). The wider context of the letter deals with divisions, immorality, lawsuits, and general disorder within the Corinthian church, underscoring Paul's concern for the church's moral integrity and witness.

1 Corinthians 5 11 Word analysis

• But now: (νῦν δέ - nyn de) A strong adversative conjunction. It marks a shift, clarifying or correcting a previous statement or a misunderstanding of it. Here, it introduces the precise instruction, distinguishing it from the earlier misinterpreted one.
• I have written to you: (ἔγραψα ὑμῖν - egrapsa hymin) The perfect tense verb indicates an action completed in the past with ongoing relevance to the present. It refers either to Paul's prior, lost letter mentioned in verse 9, or to the instruction in verses 9-10, clarifying it.
• not to associate: (μὴ συναναμίγνυσθαι - mē synanamignysthai) A present infinitive, indicating a continuing prohibition. It means to "mix up with," "mingle with," or "have close fellowship with." It implies deep, regular social intercourse, beyond a casual interaction.
• if anyone: (εἴ τις - ei tis) Introduces a conditional clause, specifying the target. This points to a hypothetical but recognized case: a fellow Christian brother.
• called a brother: (ἀδελφὸς ὀνομαζόμενος - adelphos onomazomenos) "One named a brother," "a brother by designation." This is crucial. It means a person who claims to be or is widely recognized as a Christian within the church, regardless of true spiritual standing. This distinguishes them from external, non-believing sinners.
• is a sexually immoral person: (πορνός - pornos) From pornē (prostitute). Broad term for sexual sins including fornication, adultery, incest, prostitution, etc. A widespread and accepted vice in Corinth.
• or greedy: (ἢ πλεονέκτης - ē pleonektēs) From pleonektō, meaning to "have more" or "to gain an advantage." Denotes covetousness, avarice, grasping for more, often at the expense of others. In Col 3:5, Paul equates it with idolatry, hinting at its seriousness.
• or an idolater: (ἢ εἰδωλολάτρης - ē eidōlolatrēs) "Worshiper of images/idols." Though literal idol worship was common, in a Christian context, it can also refer to giving supreme devotion to anything other than God (Col 3:5, Eph 5:5).
• or slanderer: (ἢ λοίδορος - ē loidoros) One who abuses verbally, reviler, verbally abusive person. Someone who habitually speaks abusive, defamatory, or insulting words, causing damage.
• or drunkard: (ἢ μέθυσος - ē methysos) One habitually given to drunkenness, a dipsomaniac. Not merely someone who has had a drink, but one whose life is characterized by habitual intoxication.
• or swindler: (ἢ ἅρπαξ - ē harpadz) From harpadzō (to seize, carry off). Refers to a robber, extortioner, someone who takes what is not theirs through violence or oppression.
• not even to eat with such a one: (μηδὲ συνεθείειν τῷ τοιούτῳ - mēde syne-sthiein tō toioutō) "Not even to eat together with him." A strong and concrete instruction. Eating a meal together symbolized close fellowship, communion, acceptance, and shared life in ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultures. It was a sign of belonging. The "not even" emphasizes the severity of the prohibition, extending the "not associate" to this fundamental social activity, especially relevant for church fellowship meals (agape feasts or even the Lord's Supper itself, though the context here is broader social eating).

1 Corinthians 5 11 Bonus section

The specific act of refusing to eat together was a powerful social statement in ancient contexts, often signifying ostracism or rejection. For the early church, where communal meals (agape feasts, common tables) were central to fellowship and expression of unity, exclusion from such meals was a profound and visible disciplinary action. This separation demonstrates that mere profession of faith is insufficient; true belonging is evidenced by alignment with Christian character and submission to God's standards. This is an application of God's holiness applied within His gathered people. The absence of genuine sorrow or willingness to repent makes disassociation a necessary step. It underscores that grace does not imply license to sin, but rather transforms lives towards holiness.

1 Corinthians 5 11 Commentary

Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 5:11 provides clear guidance on boundaries within the Christian community, building upon his earlier, perhaps misunderstood, letter. His aim is not for Christians to retreat from society, but to maintain the church's moral integrity and witness. The critical distinction is between ungodly behavior in the world and ungodly behavior among professing believers within the church. For those outside, it is not the church's role to judge their moral behavior (verse 12), as God will judge them. However, for those inside the church, maintaining its purity and holiness is paramount.

The list of sins provided – sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, slandering, drunkenness, and swindling – represents behaviors fundamentally contradictory to Christian life and character, if unrepentant and habitual. These are not minor transgressions but serious offenses that erode the fabric of community and undermine the gospel's message. The command "not to associate," culminating in the refusal "even to eat with such a one," signifies a complete cessation of close social fellowship, indicating removal from the common life of the believers. This disassociation is a form of church discipline, a public act of censure, meant to jolt the impenitent offender into realizing the gravity of their sin and encourage their repentance, leading to restoration (as seen in 2 Cor 2:5-11). It also protects the church from the leavening effect of sin (1 Cor 5:6-8) and maintains its distinction from the world.