1 Corinthians 5:9-13: In the World, In the Church

September 25, 2026 Blaize

Most Christians are likely familiar with the phrase, "Be in the world, not of it." Although this exact phrase isn't present in the Bible, it succinctly summarizes 1 John 2:15-17. John advises, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." This conveys that while Christians exist and interact within the world, they shouldn't be dominated by its values and systems. Instead, they should adhere to God's principles and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

In the latter verses of chapter 5, Paul conveys a similar sentiment. After discussing the necessity for the church to distance itself from an immoral member, he enumerates six types of individuals. Paul's principle extends to anyone persistently living in unrepentant sin. He is not singling out just one individual in his correction; rather, it seems he's reiterating a point (he had written a previous letter that has since been lost). This directive resonates with themes from Deuteronomy, frequently urging the Israelites to "purge the evil from among you" or similar phrasings, as seen in Deuteronomy 17:7, 19:19, 21:21, and 22:21. By invoking this Old Testament principle, Paul emphasizes the need for purity within the Christian community, adjusting the ancient directive to address the Corinthians' situation. While he speaks of dissociating from so-called "brothers," Paul ensures that the Corinthians don't misconstrue this as an aversion to the ministry of reconciliation for the lost.

The New Testament eloquently conveys the challenge of reaching out to sinners with the Gospel's redemptive message while upholding the purity and sanctity of the Christian community. Jesus embodies this outreach, as depicted in Matthew 9:10-13, when dining with tax collectors and sinners, asserting, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." This sentiment further shines in Luke 15 through parables like the lost sheep, coin, and prodigal son, showcasing God's immense joy over repentance. In a similar vein, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, champions adaptability in evangelism, voicing his dedication to becoming "all things to all people" in his quest to save souls. The overarching message of the New Testament is clear: the Gospel is crafted for sinners, urging Christians to earnestly engage with the world, disseminating the transformative salvation message far and wide. It is the church’s place to judge what’s in the church, but to tell the world about sin and its remedy, Jesus.

While Paul's mission resonated with Jesus' call to be fishers of men, reaching every corner and crevice of society, he also understood the paramount importance of a church grounded in righteousness and truth. As Christians reached out, they also had to look inward, ensuring that their community remained a beacon of Christ's teachings. In essence, the New Testament encapsulates this duality of purpose. It beckons believers to embrace the world with the transformative message of the Gospel while also urging them to foster communities that genuinely mirror the teachings of Christ.

Lord, help me protect the church while inviting sinners to repent!