What other scriptures support 1 Corinthians 5:10's teaching on worldly associations? The Heart of 1 Corinthians 5:10 “not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.” Paul is clarifying that everyday contact with unbelievers is unavoidable—and even necessary—while warning against partnering with sin or excusing it inside the church. Scriptures That Call Us to Engage the World, Not Escape It • John 17:15-18 – “I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one… As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” • Matthew 5:14-16 – “You are the light of the world… let your light shine before men.” • Mark 2:16-17 – Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners, explaining, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” • 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 – “I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means I might save some.” • Colossians 4:5-6 – “Act wisely toward outsiders… Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt…” Scriptures That Warn Against Deep Partnerships with Unbelief • 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 – “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers… ‘Come out from among them and be separate.’” • Ephesians 5:11-12 – “Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” • Psalm 1:1 – “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked…” • Proverbs 13:20 – “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” • 1 Peter 2:11-12 – “Abstain from the desires of the flesh… Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles…” • Jude 22-23 – “Save others by snatching them from the fire… hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” Scriptures That Draw a Firmer Line with Professing Believers in Sin • 1 Corinthians 5:11 – “Do not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy…” • 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15 – “Keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life… do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.” • Titus 3:10-11 – “Reject a divisive man after a first and second admonition…” Pulling It Together • We stay in the world to shine, serve, witness, and love (John 17; Matthew 5). • We refuse partnerships that blur moral lines or place us under ungodly influence (2 Corinthians 6; Ephesians 5). • When a professing believer persists in open sin, Scripture commands a sharper break for the sake of purity and restoration (1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3). • The balance: present but pure, available but not assimilated, gracious toward outsiders yet uncompromising about sin inside the household of faith. These passages surround 1 Corinthians 5:10 like guardrails, showing us how to navigate worldly associations with clarity, conviction, and redemptive purpose. |
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