1 Corinthians 5:11

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.

But {G1161} now {G3570} I have written {G1125} unto you {G5213} not {G3361} to keep company {G4874}, if {G1437} any man {G5100} that is called {G3687} a brother {G80} be {G2228} a fornicator {G4205}, or {G2228} covetous {G4123}, or {G2228} an idolater {G1496}, or {G2228} a railer {G3060}, or {G2228} a drunkard {G3183}, or {G2228} an extortioner {G727}; with such an one {G5108} no not {G3366} to eat {G4906}.

No, what I wrote you was not to associate with anyone who is supposedly a brother but who also engages in sexual immorality, is greedy, worships idols, is abusive, gets drunk or steals. With such a person you shouldn’t even eat!

But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat.

Commentary

In 1 Corinthians 5:11, the Apostle Paul clarifies his instructions regarding association with immoral individuals within the Christian community. This verse is pivotal for understanding biblical principles of church discipline and the nature of Christian fellowship.

Context

This verse follows Paul's strong rebuke of the Corinthian church for tolerating a case of severe sexual immorality (incestuous behavior) among its members. In earlier verses, Paul had already instructed them to remove the offending person from their fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:5). The present verse addresses a potential misunderstanding of his previous letter, where he told them "not to company with fornicators" (1 Corinthians 5:9). Here, Paul clarifies that he wasn't referring to unbelievers in the world, but specifically to those who claim to be Christians yet persist in unrepentant sin. The context emphasizes the Corinthian church's need to maintain spiritual purity and holiness within their community.

Key Themes

  • Church Purity and Discipline: The verse underscores the importance of the church maintaining its spiritual integrity. Paul insists that the community of believers must not tolerate open, unrepentant sin among its members.
  • Distinction Between Believers and Unbelievers: Paul makes a crucial distinction. Christians are not called to withdraw from the world or judge those outside the church (1 Corinthians 5:10). However, a different standard applies to those who claim to be brothers or sisters in Christ.
  • Nature of Christian Fellowship: The phrase "no not to eat" signifies a breaking of close social and spiritual fellowship, particularly shared meals, which were often significant expressions of unity and communion in the ancient world. This withdrawal is a serious step, intended to bring conviction and lead to repentance.
  • Accountability and Holiness: The list of vices highlights a range of behaviors incompatible with a genuine Christian walk. The church is called to hold its members accountable for their conduct, reflecting God's call to holiness.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV lists specific vices that characterize an unrepentant "brother":

  • "Fornicator" (Greek: pornos): One who engages in sexual immorality of any kind.
  • "Covetous" (Greek: pleonektēs): Someone characterized by greed, grasping for more, often at others' expense.
  • "Idolater" (Greek: eidololatrēs): A worshiper of idols, which in the broader sense can include anything that takes God's rightful place in one's life.
  • "Railer" (Greek: loidoros): One who is abusive, verbally insulting, or slanderous.
  • "Drunkard" (Greek: methysos): Someone habitually intoxicated.
  • "Extortioner" (Greek: harpaxt): A swindler, robber, or one who gains through unjust means.

These are not isolated instances but describe patterns of behavior that contradict the transforming power of the Gospel. The instruction "not to eat" (Greek: synaneschesthai) implies not to associate closely or to share table fellowship, which was a strong sign of acceptance and unity in that culture.

Practical Application

This verse provides vital guidance for Christian communities today:

  • Discerning Fellowship: It challenges believers to consider the spiritual implications of their closest associations within the church. Fellowship with those who persistently engage in unrepentant, egregious sin can compromise the church's witness and spiritual health.
  • Purpose of Discipline: Church discipline, as outlined here and elsewhere (e.g., Matthew 18:15-17), is not primarily punitive but restorative. The goal is to awaken the erring brother to the seriousness of their sin, lead them to repentance, and protect the integrity of the church body.
  • Balance of Grace and Truth: While the church is called to be a place of grace and welcome for sinners, it is also called to uphold God's standards of holiness. This requires a delicate balance of loving confrontation and firm boundaries.
  • Personal Responsibility: Individual believers are called to be discerning about who they enter into close fellowship with, especially when that person claims to be a Christian but lives in open contradiction to Christ's teachings.

Ultimately, Paul's instruction aims for the spiritual well-being of both the individual and the entire church, promoting a community that genuinely reflects the holiness of God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 16:17

    ¶ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:14

    And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:6

    ¶ Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

  • Matthew 18:17

    And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:13

    But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

  • 2 John 1:10

    ¶ If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed:

  • Galatians 5:19

    Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
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