1 Corinthians 5:10- “Not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul is clarifying something he said earlier in 1 Corinthians 5:9. He had told the Corinthian believers not to associate with sexually immoral people, but now he explains that he was not talking about unbelievers.

His point is simple: if Christians were to avoid all sinful people, they would have to leave the world entirely! Paul knows that the world is full of sin—greed, dishonesty, idolatry, and immorality are everywhere. It is impossible to avoid sinners completely, and that is not the goal.

Instead, Paul is correcting a misunderstanding. He is not telling them to cut off relationships with non-Christians who sin. That would make it impossible to share the gospel. Instead, he is saying that they should not tolerate sin among those who claim to be believers but refuse to repent (which he makes clear in the next verse, 1 Corinthians 5:11).

Paul is reminding the church that believers are meant to live in the world, not separate from it. However, they must remain different from the world, standing firm in holiness while still engaging with those who need Christ.

Historical Context

The city of Corinth was full of sin. It was known for its idol worship, wealth-driven greed, and rampant sexual immorality. Many of the new believers in Corinth had come out of this sinful culture (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Because of this, some Christians may have thought that the best way to stay holy was to completely separate from all sinners, including unbelievers. Others may have used Paul’s earlier letter as an excuse to judge outsiders while ignoring sin inside the church.

Paul is correcting both extremes:

1. Christians should not isolate themselves from the world. Jesus calls His people to be a light in the darkness (Matthew 5:14-16).
2. Christians should still hold each other accountable. Sin inside the church must be dealt with (1 Corinthians 5:11).

Paul is making it clear: believers are not to judge and avoid the lost but to reach them with the gospel. At the same time, they must be careful not to let sin take root in the church.

Theological Implications

1. Christians Are Called to Engage the World, Not Escape It – Some people think holiness means withdrawing from society, but that is not what Jesus taught. Christians are supposed to live in the world while remaining different from the world (John 17:15-16).

2. Sin in the Church is More Serious Than Sin in the World – Paul does not expect unbelievers to act like Christians. Instead, he is warning about sin inside the church, which can be far more dangerous if left unchecked.

3. Holiness and Mission Must Go Together – Believers must stand for truth while also reaching out in love. If we avoid all sinners, we can never share the gospel with them.

4. God Alone Will Judge the World – Paul’s focus is on accountability within the church. The ultimate judgment of non-believers belongs to God, not us (1 Corinthians 5:12-13).

Literary Analysis

Paul’s language here is corrective and clarifying. He is making sure the Corinthians understand his instructions properly.

• “Not at all meaning the people of this world” – This phrase directly corrects their misunderstanding.
• “In that case, you would have to leave this world” – This exaggeration (hyperbole) makes his point clear: separating from all sinners is impossible!
• Listing different kinds of sinners (immoral, greedy, swindlers, idolaters) – This broad list covers many sins, reinforcing that sin is everywhere in the world. The church cannot avoid all of it, but it must handle sin inside its own walls.

Paul is showing that believers should expect sin from the world but should not tolerate it within the church.

Biblical Cross-References

• Matthew 9:10-13 – Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors, saying, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
• John 17:15-16 – Jesus prays for His followers, asking God not to take them out of the world but to protect them from evil.
• Matthew 5:14-16 – Christians are the light of the world and must not hide from the lost.
• 1 Corinthians 5:11 – Paul clarifies that believers must avoid unrepentant Christians, not unbelievers.
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Paul lists various sins but reminds believers that they were washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Many believers today struggle with the balance of holiness and engagement with the world. Some go to one extreme, isolating themselves from unbelievers, while others go to the opposite extreme, blending in so much that they lose their distinctiveness.

Paul’s words remind us that:

• We cannot avoid all sinners. If we did, we would have to leave the world.
• We should not be surprised by sin in the world. Non-Christians act according to their nature. They need Jesus, not judgment from us.
• We are called to be salt and light. The only way to reach the lost is to be present in their lives, showing them the love and truth of Christ.

For churches, this verse is a warning against a judgmental attitude toward outsiders while tolerating sin inside the church. Our focus should be on holiness in the church and sharing Christ with the world.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is evident in the fact that He does not call His people to escape the world but to shine in it.

• God loves sinners and wants them to repent. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
• God calls His people to be different. He does not want them to compromise, but to be a witness of His truth (1 Peter 2:9).
• God’s love is patient. He does not expect unbelievers to change before they come to Him—He calls them as they are and transforms them.

Rather than separating from the world in fear, believers should reflect God’s love by engaging the lost while maintaining their own holiness.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus is the perfect example of engaging with sinners without compromising holiness.

• Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:10-13), showing that holiness does not mean separation from the lost.
• Jesus prayed that His followers would remain in the world but be protected from evil (John 17:15-16).
• Jesus was called a “friend of sinners” (Luke 7:34), yet He remained completely sinless (Hebrews 4:15).
• Jesus came to save, not condemn (John 3:17), showing that believers should focus on sharing the gospel rather than judging the world.

Paul’s teaching aligns with Christ’s mission: engage with sinners, live holy lives, and share the gospel with the lost.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why do you think some Christians struggle with balancing holiness and engagement with the world?
2. How does Jesus’ example help us understand Paul’s teaching in this verse?
3. What are some practical ways to reach non-believers without compromising our faith?
4. Have you ever avoided engaging with non-Christians out of fear of being influenced? How can you change that?
5. How can the church today apply Paul’s teaching in a way that reflects both truth and love?