Does 1 Corinthians 5:11 promote judgment or discernment among believers? Canonical Text “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.” — 1 Corinthians 5:11 Immediate Literary Context Paul addresses a church tolerating flagrant sexual sin (vv. 1–2) while boasting of spiritual vitality. He first commands removal of the unrepentant offender (vv. 3–5), then clarifies that separation applies only to professing believers, not unbelievers outside the church (vv. 9–13). Verse 11 therefore functions as the hinge: it defines the scope and motive of corrective exclusion inside the covenant community. Historical–Cultural Setting Corinth, wealthy and religiously pluralistic, normalized temple prostitution and commercial fraud. Excavations at the Temple of Aphrodite and the Erastus inscription (CIL X 3700) corroborate a social climate where sexual and financial vice were endemic. Paul counters this cultural drift by preserving the church’s holiness (Leviticus 20:26; 1 Peter 1:15–16). Judgment vs. Discernment in Pauline Theology 1. Judgment forbidden: hypocritical, self-righteous condemnation (Matthew 7:1–5; Romans 2:1). 2. Judgment required: identifying doctrinal error and moral rebellion for the protection of the flock (1 Corinthians 5:12–13; Titus 3:10–11). Paul’s operative category is “discernment leading to restorative discipline” rather than “final condemnation.” The goal remains salvation “in the day of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Intertextual Witness • Old Testament antecedent: Deuteronomy 17:7; “purge the evil from among you,” quoted in 1 Corinthians 5:13. • Jesus’ process: Matthew 18:15–17 outlines progressive confrontation culminating in church action. • Subsequent apostolic practice: 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14–15; withdrawal paired with admonition “as a brother.” Early Church Reception The Didache 4.13 urges believers to “reprove one another, not in wrath but in peace,” reflecting discernment, not censoriousness. Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans 4:1 describes avoiding fellowship with heretics to protect truth and unity. Restorative Outcome Documented 2 Cor 2:5–11 indicates the man disciplined in 1 Corinthians 5 repented and was to be forgiven and comforted. This historical sequel validates that the discernment of 5:11 aimed at redemption, not mere expulsion. Systematic Theological Frame • Holiness: God commands separation from persistent sin to preserve His witness (Leviticus 11:44; 2 Corinthians 6:17). • Love: Discipline is an act of covenant love (Hebrews 12:6). • Corporate responsibility: “A little leaven leavens the whole batch” (1 Corinthians 5:6); unchecked sin metastasizes. Practical Behavioral Science Insight Empirical studies on group norms (e.g., Baumeister & Leary, 1995) show that clear boundary maintenance fosters communal health. Biblical discipline aligns with this finding, balancing accountability with belonging. Discernment Applied 1. Examine evidence of persistent, unrepentant sin. 2. Verify the professed believer status. 3. Engage privately, then with witnesses, then corporately (Matthew 18). 4. Withdraw table fellowship while maintaining a posture of invitation to repentance. 5. Restore promptly upon genuine change. Answer to the Question 1 Corinthians 5:11 promotes discerning corrective action, not censorious judgment. The text instructs believers to distinguish between internal covenant members and outsiders, to recognize patterns of unrepentant sin that threaten the purity of the church, and to enact relational separation for the sinner’s ultimate restoration and the congregation’s protection. Thus Paul models Spirit-guided discernment that refuses personal condemnation yet exercises corporate responsibility under the authority of Scripture. |
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