I wrote to you in my letter not to associate(A) with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world(B) who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[a](C) but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater(D) or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.(E)

12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside(F) the church? Are you not to judge those inside?(G) 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”[b](H)

Lawsuits Among Believers

If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people?(I) Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world?(J) And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? I say this to shame you.(K) Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?(L) But instead, one brother(M) takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!(N)

The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?(O) Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.(P) Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?(Q) Do not be deceived:(R) Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers(S) nor men who have sex with men[c](T) 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers(U) will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were.(V) But you were washed,(W) you were sanctified,(X) you were justified(Y) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 5:11 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in 8:11, 13.
  2. 1 Corinthians 5:13 Deut. 13:5; 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21,24; 24:7
  3. 1 Corinthians 6:9 The words men who have sex with men translate two Greek words that refer to the passive and active participants in homosexual acts.

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