1 Corinthians 5:9

¶ I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

I wrote {G1125} unto you {G5213} in {G1722} an epistle {G1992} not {G3361} to company {G4874} with fornicators {G4205}:

In my earlier letter I wrote you not to associate with people who engage in sexual immorality.

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.

I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators;

Commentary

Context

First Corinthians is a letter from the Apostle Paul addressing various issues within the church at Corinth, a prominent Roman city known for its wealth, trade, and unfortunately, widespread immorality. In this particular verse, 1 Corinthians 5:9, Paul references a previous letter he had sent to them, which is not extant today. The immediate context of chapter 5 deals with a severe case of sexual immorality within the Corinthian congregation itself – a man living with his stepmother – which the church had failed to address.

This verse serves as a crucial setup for Paul's subsequent clarification in verses 10 and 11. The Corinthians had seemingly misunderstood his earlier instruction, perhaps thinking he meant to avoid all non-believers, which would be impossible for Christians living in the world.

Key Themes

  • Church Purity and Holiness: Paul consistently emphasizes the need for the Christian community to maintain a standard of holiness that reflects their identity in Christ. This instruction underscores the importance of protecting the church's witness and internal moral integrity.
  • Understanding and Clarification: The verse highlights the dynamic nature of communication, where initial instructions might be misinterpreted, requiring further explanation. Paul's immediate follow-up demonstrates his pastoral care in ensuring the Corinthians grasped the true intent of his guidance.
  • Distinction in Fellowship: While Christians are called to be a light in the world, this verse begins to draw a critical distinction between casual interaction with non-believers and intimate fellowship with professing believers who persist in unrepentant sin. This concept is further explored in passages like 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 regarding unequal yokes.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "not to company with" translates the Greek word sunanamignymi (συναναμίγνυμι), which means "to mix up together," "to associate intimately with," or "to have close fellowship." This is more than mere casual interaction or contact in the marketplace; it implies a deep, shared social life or close association, such as sharing meals or participating in intimate gatherings. The word "fornicators" (Greek: pornoi, πόρνοι) is a broad term referring to those who engage in any form of illicit sexual immorality, a prevalent issue in ancient Corinth.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 5:9, especially when read with its context, offers vital guidance on Christian conduct and church discipline:

  • Discernment in Relationships: While Christians are called to engage with the world and share the Gospel, this verse reminds us to be discerning about the depth of our fellowship, particularly with those who claim to be believers but live in open, unrepentant sin.
  • Purpose of Separation: The instruction to "not company with" unrepentant believers is not about self-righteous judgment or isolation, but about protecting the church's reputation, encouraging repentance, and maintaining the spiritual health of the community. It aligns with the principles of church discipline outlined by Jesus in Matthew 18.
  • Understanding Context: This verse beautifully illustrates the importance of reading Scripture in its full context. Paul's initial instruction, if taken in isolation, could lead to an unbiblical withdrawal from society. His clarification in subsequent verses is essential for a balanced understanding. Christians are to be "in the world, but not of the world," as Jesus prayed in John 17:15.
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

  • Ephesians 5:11

    And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [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.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:14

    Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

  • Proverbs 9:6

    Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:2

    And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:7

    ¶ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
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