Navigating Relationships in the World and in the Church

Navigating relationships within the church and the world is a delicate balancing act that requires wisdom and discernment. In 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, the Apostle Paul provides essential guidance on this very issue serving as a valuable framework for understanding how believers should interact with those inside and outside the church community.

Company and Judgement with the World

In regards to our company with the world, Paul admonishes the believers not to keep company with those who are fornicators, covetous, extortioners, or idolaters; yet he acknowledges the impracticality of avoiding all sinners, as this would require complete isolation from the world, even yourself, as we are all unrighteous! (1Co 5:10, Rom 3:10-20)

How do we handle this exactly if we were all once identified and condemned by our sin (1Co 6:9-11)?

Those who are not saved will act carnally. Our job is not to judge them, as that is God’s job, but to judge right and wrong so we can reach them without partaking in their sins as well.

“[13] But them that are without God judgeth...” – 1 Corinthians 5:13

After all, Christians are called to engage with non-believers so that we can preach the gospel to them and see them saved by God’s glorious grace. If you’ve trusted in God’s grace to save your soul, you were once in their shoes: deceived by the lies of the world and following after the desires of your flesh.

Our goal is not to avoid everyone who is unsaved, but to conduct ourselves with wisdom toward those outside the faith, making the most of every opportunity (Col 4:5-6). To the world, we must not partake in their sin, but rather, reprove the darkness of this world with the light of the glorious gospel. We must walk in wisdom toward them, redeeming the time, speaking the truth in love so that they might be saved (Rom 10:17, Titus 3:3-7, Eph 2:1-13, 5:6-17, 2Co 4:1-6, Col 4:5-6).

Company and Judgment in the Church

For those within the church, the standard is different. The command to "put away from among yourselves that wicked person" (1Co 5:13) speaks to church discipline. This isn't about casting someone out with malice or superiority but about upholding the doctrinal purity of the church.

The church is the “pillar and ground of the truth,”(1Ti 3:15) and if it doesn’t stand fast and uphold the truth, the entire body suffers.

Removal doesn’t happen because of a sin issue, but because of a doctrinal, unrepented heart issue. Restoration is always our first goal and we do so with meekness and the word of God.

“[1] Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1

“[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. [15] Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

If the bad doctrine is confronted and not changed, removal from the church is needed or else it will corrupt (Titus 3:9-11, 1Ti 6:3-6).

This is what Paul addresses when he speaks of purging out the old leaven or else it will leaven the whole lump (1Co 5:6-8). This leaven, or doctrinal impurity, corrupts the whole church if not removed. It causes more sin. Don’t be deceived, sewing to the flesh reaps destruction and corruption. Company with an unrepentant believer corrupts the sound doctrine of the assembly and causes rifts internally (Rom 6:16, 21, Php 3:18-19, Gal 6:7-8, Mat 16:6, 12, 1Co 15:33, 2Ti 2:16-17, Amo 3:3).

Removal is not vengeful and it is as a brother or sister in Christ. It is meek, longsuffering, and ultimately sorrowful. As Christians, we shouldn’t want to kick people out of our church meetings. If it needs to be done, it needs to be done, but as the brother or sister is choosing to be ensnared by the devil’s lies, it should not bring us joy.

Additionally, just as Christ forgave us, forgiveness is always there and the door is open if repentance does occur. An unforgiving heart breeds bitterness and we don’t want to develop an angry or resentful sentiment towards our brothers and sisters in Christ (Eph 4:32, 2Co 2:7-11).

In Conclusion

Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 provides a blueprint for maintaining relationships within and outside the church. With those in the world, believers are to be lights, sharing the gospel and exemplifying Christ's love while not partaking in their sin. Within the church, the assembly must uphold doctrinal purity, gently restoring those who stumble and separating from unrepentant doctrinal error to preserve the church's purity. Let us be a church that is engaged but not enmeshed with the world, and internally, a church that is loving but not lax in its commitment to truth and holiness.