From my reading in 1 Corinthians 5 in the One Year Bible New Testament.

Paul had a strong word in regards to a man who was a part of the Corinthian church and was openly disobeying God sexually.

He had warned the church earlier to not let unrepentant sin go unchecked among the members.

“When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.” 1 Cor 5:9-11

Notice the difference between how we are to treat unbelievers and believers.

We are not to try and hold an unbeliever to a standard that they have not agreed to.  For the believer who is openly choosing a life of sin we should not associate with them.  Paul continues,

“It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.” 1 Cor 5:12-13

It is not our responsibility to judge people outside the Church.

Non-believers need to know that they can come to Jesus anytime for forgiveness. Believers need to be held accountable for their actions. In extreme cases it is right to remove the person who is unwilling to repent from fellowship.

I pray that God would give the leaders in churches wisdom on how to lovingly deal with disobedient people inside the Church and how to love those outside the church.

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