9 I wrote to you in a letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. 10 I did not mean the immoral people of this world or the greedy and swindlers or idolaters; otherwise you would have to leave the world. 11 But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer who is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. 12 For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders? Don’t you judge those who are inside? 13 But God judges outsiders. Put away the evil person from among yourselves.
This is a strong and difficult word and one we often see overlooked because of the seriousness of it.
Paul does not mean here unrepentant sinners, but those claiming the Name of Jesus living in direct defiance to His commands with no plans to agree with God anytime soon.
Those who call themselves Christians and live in outright rebellion demonstrate that they are not His children, but still rebels deserving of wrath, in need of grace through faith in the Son.
Do not become this person by refusing to repent and becoming familiar and comfortable with your sin.
Do not become the person who would tolerate such defiance by those claiming to be obedient.
This is an IN HOUSE teaching as Paul points out.
We don't disassociate with rebels who aren't claiming to be citizens of Heaven.
We react the same way both to the unregenerate rebel and the rebel claiming to be regenerate. We share Jesus with them as ones who need His grace in order to be restored.
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