Expel the Immoral Brother

When I had a NIV Bible 1 Co. 5:9-13 happened to fall under a section entitled "Expel the Immoral Brother."  I always got a kick out of this when I saw it because of the strong language that was used and the connotations it implied.  For some reason the editors of the ESV Bible didn't put this section title in their translation.  It was probably a good decision for I can see the glancing eye getting the wrong impression.  Even so, I do believe we need to take 1 Co. 5:9-13 seriously since we Christians, especially here at petoReformata, believe it was inspired by God.

1Co 5:9-13  I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--  (10)  not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.  (11)  But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one.  (12)  For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?  (13)  God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."

Paul does use strong language in this passage for us not to associate with those that claim the name of Christ and yet are habitually immoral. Unfortunately this particular teaching is not applied in the Church today.  Now, you might be thinking "Griff, isn't there a better way to go about this than just kicking people out of the Church or disassociating with them?"  That is a valid question and I believe there is a valid answer that lies in Matthew 18 about confronting our brothers in Christ.  I as a twenty year old with limited years of Christian experience do not claim to know exactly how this is supposed to be worked out.  However, there is a great two part sermon series by Pastor Jeff Noblit of Grace Life Church of the Shoals that deals with this subject of church discipline and the success of biblical church discipline at Grace Life Church.  

You can check out Church Discipline and the Glory of God here: http://www.anchoredintruth.org/resources/sermons/various_texts

for His glory,

Griff