Understanding Church Purity and Discipline in 1 Corinthians 5

1 Corinthians 5:9-13

9 I wrote to you in an letter not to company with fornicators:

10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortionists, or with idolaters; for then must you needs go out of the world.

11 But now I have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortionist; with such an one no not to eat.

12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not you judge them that are within?

13 But them that are without God judges. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

The passage in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 provides a clear mandate for the church to maintain its purity by separating from those who claim to be believers but persist in open sin. This instruction emphasizes that while we cannot avoid contact with the worldly, we must exercise strict discipline toward those within the fellowship whose conduct brings dishonor to the cause of Christ17MR 164.4+1.

The Distinction Between the World and the Church

• Contact with Unbelievers: The instruction not to keep company with certain sinners does not refer to the people of this world, such as extortioners or idolaters who do not profess faith, for to avoid them entirely would require one to leave the world altogether 1 Corinthians 5:10ARSH July 10, 1856, page 86.4.

• Judging Those Within: The responsibility of the church is to judge those who are "within"—those called brothers—rather than those "without," whom God Himself judges 1 Corinthians 5:12-13ARSH July 10, 1856, page 86.4.

• Preserving the Body: Church discipline is essential because a "little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," meaning that tolerated sin can corrupt the entire congregation 1 Corinthians 5:6ARSH July 10, 1856, page 86.4.

The Standard for Disfellowship

• Specific Offenses: The church is commanded not to eat or keep company with any person called a brother who is a fornicator, covetous, an idolater, a railer, a drunkard, or an extortioner 1 Corinthians 5:11ARSH July 10, 1856, page 86.4.

• Unworthy Members: Those who bring dishonor to the truth through un-Christlike conduct must be excluded from fellowship to preserve the purity and order of the Lord's house17MR 164.4+1.

• Purging the Evil: The ultimate command is to "put away from among yourselves that wicked person," ensuring the health and righteousness of the church body 1 Corinthians 5:13ARSH July 10, 1856, page 86.4.

The Purpose and Method of Discipline

• Salvation of the Spirit: The goal of such severe discipline, even delivering one to Satan for the "destruction of the flesh," is the ultimate salvation of the person's spirit in the day of the Lord 1 Corinthians 5:5ARSH July 10, 1856, page 86.4.

• Preserving Purity: Just as the old leaven was purged for the Passover, the church must be a "new lump," characterized by the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth 1 Corinthians 5:7-8ARSH July 10, 1856, page 86.4.

• Authority of the Church: The power to exclude unworthy members has been delegated to the church by Christ, and actions taken in accordance with His Word are ratified in heaven Matthew 18:187T 263.3.

• Following Christ’s Order: No individual or committee should remove a name from the church books until the specific instructions for labor and restoration given by Christ have been faithfully followed7T 262.5+1.

The Necessity of Church Order

• Preventing Fragments: Without church discipline and government, the body of believers would go to fragments and could not hold together15MR 130.2+1.

• Protecting the Work: Organization and discipline are indispensable for protecting the church from unworthy members and ensuring the successful advancement of the truthCET 195.2+1.

• Preparation for Heaven: The church on earth serves as a school where members learn to form characters for the "great reunion" in the church above, and this requires a well-regulated environment7T 263.3+1.