"Insiders" living like "Outsiders"

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NLT)

"When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

This is the first time I have stopped to really meditate on this passage. I have read the the passage in Matthew that tells us how to handle church discipline, but I haven't exactly picked up on what these verses in 1 Corinthians are saying. I had to read it a few times, and will probably read it many more times. This is a tough pill to swallow. But, in order to obey God's Word to us, swallow it we must. However, I think it's worth noting, that (based off my own knowledge of scripture--not to say that my own wisdom in this is correct) these verses are referring to a Christian who is living a lifestyle of a non-believer. That is different from a Christian who falls into sin for a short time, repents, and turns back to Christ. Please recognize the difference. This passage is referring to someone living an unrepentant lifestyle that looks like the lifestyle of an unbeliever.

May we all strive to live what we claim. May our goal be to represent Christ in all areas of our lives. May we strive to live the life of a person fully surrendered to Christ. 

Study notes from HCSB Study Bible, written by:

F. Alan Tomlinson

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Ph. D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

5:10 Paul Corrected a mistaken perception that his administration in the letter (v.9) had prohibited them from mixing socially with non-believers (the immoral people of this world). He actually had meant not to mix with "insiders" who lived like "outsiders," believers who live like unbelievers. 

5:11 The Corinthian believers were not to mix with anyone who claims to be a believer and yet is sexually immoral, but they were also to avoid any professing believer who was greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. 

[HCSB reads, "verbally abusive" in v. 11]* 
To eat with such people could be taken as a sign of condoning their worldly lifestyle. The Pharisees had this same impression of Jesus but were mistaken (Mark 2:16-17). 

*side-note by me, not included in study notes.