1 Corinthians 5:11

Paul now clarified that he had meant that the Corinthian Christians should not associate with such a person if he or she professed to be a believer. The Greek phrase tis adelphos onomazomenos literally means one who bears the name brother. The translation "so-called brother" (NASB) implies that the sinner was only a professing Christian. [Note: F. F. Bruce, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, p. 210.] However he could have been a genuine Christian. [Note: Robert N. Wilkin, "The So-Called So-Called Brother," Grace Evangelical Society News 6:10 (October 1991):2-3.] Only God and that person knew for sure whether he or she was a genuine Christian. The important point is that this person’s behavior threw into question whether he was a genuine Christian. The Corinthian Christians were to exclude such a person from table fellowship with the other Christians in the church.

In the early history of the church eating together was a large part of the fellowship that the Christians enjoyed with one another (cf. Acts 2:46-47; Acts 6:1; et al.). To exclude a Christian from this circle of fellowship would have made a much stronger statement to him than it normally does in many parts of the world today.

This exclusion was a strong form of discipline that Paul designed to confront the offender with his or her behavior and encourage him or her to repent. Some modern congregations have adopted the policy of excluding such offenders from participation in the Lord’s Supper. However this form of discipline does not carry much impact when a congregation observes the Lord’s Supper only monthly or quarterly. Modern church leaders need to give careful thought to what form of discipline would have the same impact and effect on such a person in their particular society.

"Church discipline is not a group of ’pious policemen’ out to catch a criminal. Rather, it is a group of brokenhearted brothers and sisters seeking to restore an erring member of the family." [Note: Wiersbe, 1:586.]

Paul’s list of sins here seems to be suggestive rather than comprehensive (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). It includes fornicators, the greedy, idolaters, people who abuse others verbally, drunkards and perhaps others addicted to enslaving substances, and swindlers. [Note: See René A. López, "A Study of Pauline Passages with Vice Lists," Bibliotheca Sacra 168:671 (July-September 2011):301-16.] The failure of many church leaders to discipline professing Christians who practice these things today is a sad commentary on the carnality of the modern church. In some cases it is evidence of unwillingness or inability to exercise tough love.