Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 5:9
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church to clarify a previous written instruction regarding church discipline. He issues this directive immediately after urging the community to celebrate the feast with sincerity and truth rather than malice.
The words — The Greek verb συναναμίγνυσθαι (sunanamignysthai) literally means "to mix together with," paired with πόρνοις (pornois), meaning "sexually immoral people." Paul uses these terms to define the specific boundary of fellowship he previously outlined.
The thread — This instruction echoes the call to separate from unrighteousness found in 2 Corinthians 6:14 and the directive to avoid associating with disobedient believers in 2 Thessalonians 3:14. The theme of exposing darkness rather than participating in it aligns with Ephesians 5:11.
Why it lands — The text commands readers to enforce a clear boundary of fellowship by refusing to associate with sexually immoral individuals. It requires practical discernment to maintain communal purity without demanding total withdrawal from the world.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
Cross-references
- Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:14 Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.
- 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
- 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
- Proverbs 9:6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
- 1 Corinthians 5:2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this?
- 1 Corinthians 5:7 Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
- Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”