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Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
June 22
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Today's Pathway:
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Paul is concluding his rebuke of the Corinthians for allowing immorality to go undisciplined in their church. In verse 9 he reminds them that he has already written to them about this issue. As a point of interest, the book we refer to as "I Corinthians" is obviously not the first letter that Paul wrote to that church. However, that previous letter, though undoubtedly filled with good teaching, was not given by inspiration of God and thus is not Scripture. It is not a part of the Bible that has been lost, for if God intended for us to have it, we would have it. I'm reasonably sure that Paul wrote many letters during his lifetime to a variety of churches and individuals. However, God has only preserved for us those which He wanted us to have.
Paul had told them not to "company" with fornicators. And in verse 10 he does not limit it to the immoral, but also includes those who are covetous, extortioners, and idolaters as well. Charles Hodge defines the Greek word translated "extortioners" as,
"those who exact more than is justly due to them. The sin is not confined to robbery. Someone who takes advantage of another person’s poverty or needs in order to get gain is an extortioner."
The Greek word translated "to company" indicates keeping intimate contact and a continual mingling with people who practice these sins. However, in verses 10-11 he clarifies that he is speaking specifically about the believer's dealings with immoral people in the church. In verse 10 he writes,
"yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world".
He means that it is not the unsaved fornicators that he is talking about. Certainly the believer needs to be careful about who he spends his time with, both inside or outside the church. Paul writes in I Corinthians 15:33,
"Evil communications (companionships) corrupt good manners (morals)".
In II Corinthians 6:17 he states,
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord".
But in this passage he is particularly warning about fellowship with sinning Christians, for he writes that if believers could never have contact with unsaved sinners they would have to leave the earth! They would have to stop having any relationships with unsaved family members, neighbors, and co-workers. If Christians did that, how could they ever win those people to Christ? So in verse 11 he makes it clear that he is talking about any "man that is called a brother"; a brother in Christ.
In verse 11 he adds railers and drunkards to the list. A "railer" is someone who intentionally abuses another with speech; a reviler, a slanderer, or an abusive person. We know what a drunkard is, and I Corinthians 11:21 tells us that drunkenness was an issue in the Corinthian church. If there is someone like that in the church, the godly members are not to associate with him, nor even sit down to eat a meal with him. Paul writes in II Thessalonians 3:6,
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly."
He adds in verse 14,
"Note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed."
If the rebellious Christian is allowed to continue having great fellowship with the rest of the church while he continues in his sin, what motivation does he have to repent? Not much.
Paul finishes in verses 12-13 by saying that he is not the one who will judge the unsaved. That is God's responsibility, and He will carry it out. However, the church has the responsibility to judge its own members, and if someone is doing wickedness, he needs to be put out of the church and the members should no longer have any fellowship with him. This may sound harsh, but it is God's Word, and it is our obligation to obey it, for He knows what is best.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
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