1 Corinthians
King James Version (KJV)

“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
King James Version (KJV)
But now I haue written vnto you, not to keepe company, if any man that is called a brother bee a fornicator, or couetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such a one, no, not to eate.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat.
- American Standard Version (1901)
But the sense of my letter was that if a brother had the name of being one who went after the desires of the flesh, or had the desire for other people's property, or was in the way of using violent language, or being the worse for drink, or took by force what was not his, you might not keep company with such a one, or take food with him.
- Basic English Bible
But now I have written to you, if any one called brother be fornicator, or avaricious, or idolater, or abusive, or a drunkard, or rapacious, not to mix with [him]; with such a one not even to eat.
- Darby Bible
But now I have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother is a lewd person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such person no not to eat.
- Webster's Bible
But what I meant was that you were not to associate with any one bearing the name of "brother," if he was addicted to fornication or avarice or idol-worship or abusive language or hard-drinking or greed of gain. With such a man you ought not even to eat.
- Weymouth Bible
But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner. Don't even eat with such a person.
- World English Bible
But now Y wroot to you, that ye be not meynd. But if he that is named a brother among you, and is a letchour, or coueitouse, or seruynge to ydols, or cursere, or ful of drunkenesse, or raueynour, to take no mete with siche.
- Wycliffe Bible
and now, I did write to you not to keep company with [him], if any one, being named a brother, may be a whoremonger, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner -- with such a one not even to eat together;
- Youngs Literal Bible
5:11 Who is named a brother - That is, a Christian; especially if a member of the same congregation. Rapacious - Guilty of oppression, extortion, or any open injustice. No, not to eat with him - Which is the lowest degree of familiarity.
1Co 5:11 Now I have written unto you not to keep company. He now writes and explains his meaning. Church members must not have social intercourse with one who has been a member who is guilty of the grievous sins named. Covetous. A greedy person, under the influence of passions, not only greedy for gain, but for self-indulgence. The Greek word "pleonektes" implies this. With such person no not to eat. Either at the Lord's table, or in friendly meals, which would imply a brotherly recognition.
In decades of attending a variety of churches I never encountered a 'church' claiming that it's ok to get divorced without reason or cheat on your spouse. The Bible allows circumstances to end the marriage in cases of abuse or violation of the covenant like cheating. So, I don't believe the premise that every 'church' thinks one way toward hetero sin and another toward homo sin. All sin is bad and we are to avoid sin. Link
When I read Silvia's post and see her opening statement, I don't see where she is referring to all churches, unless you think the phrase "The church" is referring to denominational church organizations. When I see the phrase the church, I think of the body of Christ in general. I kind of agree with what she is saying. These things are in the body of Christ today. The sad part is that we in the body of Christ let it happen.
These things are in our churches, and many pastors are afraid to do anything about it because they can be sued for removing someone from their church because our churches have been made public. The early church was private. They met in homes. And they wouldn't even open the door and let you in if you didn't have the proper testimony. That's the way I wish the church was today. So if there is evil in the "church," and someone is removed, which they should be removed according to the bible, that person can turn around and sue that church. And in today's society, they would win that lawsuit.
It's nice to see you here reading and sharing your thoughts with other believers. On that note, I spent most of my morning a few days ago responding to the several questions you had specifically for me, and in turn, I suggested that you might be fair in answering those I sent to you. Please, if you have the time, can you answer those questions I sent to you. If you didn't get them, I can re-send.
I feel that in the Church today & given our governmental laws, one must only preach against evil, & specifically of sins which insidiously creeps into the Church, so that the ground rules are set & the guilty amongst them may sense conviction or may even leave of his own accord. But when the Church overlooks it completely or preaches an 'easy salvation' which gives the hapless soul no certainty of salvation or of eternity, that Church will be condemned the more.
I'm glad you responded. I did not intend to make it seem like I was referring to the early church being like today's church. I hope others will not get that impression. I was a little sporadic in my thoughts, going from the church today, to the early church, and then back again, so I see how it can be taken the wrong way.
The church back in the first 300 years seemed to have their act together until Constantine came into the equation. Most of today's problems stem from the church becoming too large, and it was never intended to be that way, and I'll explain my reasoning in a second.
But I think most of our problems come from opening the door to everybody because we've become more concerned with numbers than teaching the truth of the gospel. It seems as though success is based on how much money the church makes, and how many people we can pack into the church. (Mega-Ministries)
The reason why I say that the church was never intended to be too large comes from studying the parable of the mustard seed. The mustard seed was not supposed to grow into such a large tree. I also have to keep in mind that in Mark's gospel, when Jesus was explaining the parable of the sower to the disciples, the first thing He said was, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
That's key to me. If I understand the parable of the sower, I will understand all parables. I can't understand the others without understanding the parable of the sower. So when I study the mustard seed, I conclude that the birds represent evil, as in the parable of the sower. So we have birds lodging in the branches of this mustard seed plant. I see the mustard seed plant as representing the church.
The seed is planted in the ground, and it grows to be a monstrous tree, which is not normal for this herb. The mustard seed does not grow into a tree. But it grows so large that the birds come and lodge in the branches. And these birds are evil, and they come and mix with the good.
Your understanding of the Mustard Seed parable was interesting though. I had never looked at it in that light, rather by the usual meaning: that the Word of God/Gospel being scattered/planted, & it would continue to spread out (grow) to the point of being a tree (i.e. a small tree/bush: wherein people that will become part of it, the Church) & the birds will lodge in its shadow (others will benefit by the Church, whether to hear God's message or receive comfort).
But I can see your understanding in view of the infiltration of evil into the Church. Indeed, the Church has become quite deformed today & increasingly lacking in its original design & beauty. Even though some adaptation to today's world needs to be made, I do also question to how far we have removed ourselves from her original design & purpose. But how do we get back to it? Start (another) Church? God forbid! Maybe, just to have a quiet influence in her through careful & methodical Biblical teaching & prayer.
I was humored about the whole starting another church thing For a second, I thought "Hey, great idea," but then reality soon set in, and the thought over arguing over the color of the carpet, paint on the outside of the building, cushions on the pews, or no cushions, etc. etc. etc. Good grief!
As always, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words. God Bless!
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