BAD COMPANY

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Paul had just completed his admonition to the Corinthian brethren regarding the sin of fornication that existed within the body of Christ at Corinth. He described this sin as an impurity that had invaded their church and, although at the present was affecting just a few, if ignored and allowed to go unchallenged without scriptural correction, it would spread throughout the congregation just as a little leaven soon spreads through the whole lump. Paul said of the person(s) that had committed this transgression was to be taken away from among you (Vs. 2),and put away from among yourselves (Vs. 13). Such is how God requires the church of Christ to deal with members that commit this sin.

From this specific admonition Paul makes a general application to all sin that may invade the church, regardless if it comes from without or within the congregation. Sin and righteousness cannot coexist within Christ's church. They oppose each other and are completely incompatible. If righteousness cannot convert sinfulness within the body of Christ, sinfulness must be put away from its presence. Not all sins are included in this general admonition of Paul, but enough are mentioned for readers to conclude that all sin is intended. In the lesson text, Paul mentions these types of sinful Christians that must be recognized , reprimanded, and, unless corrected, must be put away from any congregation of Christian believers - any brother (or sister) that is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner.

The lesson text teaches us that to live, as human beings, in the world, it is necessary to come in contact, and interact, with "bad company" (with sinners), or else it would be necessary to go out of the world. However, this is not true within the church of Christ. The phrase, "if any man that is called a brother," applies to all Christians within Christ's body, His church. Sinners are "bad company" to the church, and must be put away from among yourselves (Vs. 13). In the beginning of this chapter, Paul compares sinners to impurities that, unless rooted out, will spread throughout the church just as leaven spreads throughout the whole lump of bread dough. Allowed to come into, remain, and participate as a member, Christian sinners will cause great harm to the body of Christ. Human wisdom could jeopardize the wisdom of God, and the foundation on which the church is built could be weakened. The scriptural doctrine of God, that rightly governs the church, could be compromised if the church leadership allows it to incorporate, and condone such sinful, selfish desires. False teaching could lead the entire congregation in error. The Christian influence of the church within the community, in which it is located ,could become ineffective and, ultimately, lost.

When the church of Christ keeps "bad company," the affects can do irreparable harm to the cause of Christ. An unrepentant fornicator,known to be associated with the body of Christ, demonstrates toits membership, as well as the world around it, that such is condoned. Likewise, acovetous Christian that is overlooked and allowed to remain as an active member of the church, demonstrates that self-indulgence, greed, ill-gotten gain, and other influences of passion are acceptable in the sight of God. An idolater, a worshiper of idols,cannot be allowed to become, or remain a member of the body of Christ. There is one Creator, and He is our God. He, and only He, is to be worshipped by His creation. A railer, if unrepentant, and allowed to remain in the body of Christ, defies the true spirit of Christianity. This would represent a reproachful Christian - one that is extremely harsh and bitter toward others, will hurt feelings, and intentionally cause damage to the character of fellow Christians. Also, the church must not condone or harbor a drunkard that refuses to repent and change his or her way. Drunkenness is a sin that must not be associated with members of Christ's church. An extortioner, one having no scruples in satisfying their covetous desire for gain, will cause much harm, and bring reproach to the body of Christ.

These examples tell us that all sinners are Bad Company. In the world Christians must associate with them, but in the church of Christ their influence must be taken away, hopefully by repentance, and if not, by disassociation.