This resource compiles Scripture passages addressing the doctrine of Christian fellowship and separation, emphasizing that believers must avoid close association with those practicing sin and unbelief. Key passages include 1 Corinthians 15:33 ("bad company corrupts good morals"), 2 Corinthians 6:14 (the prohibition against being "unequally yoked with unbelievers"), and 1 Corinthians 5:11 (Paul's command to withdraw from professing Christians living impenitently in sin). The collection illustrates the Reformed principle that believers must exercise discernment in relationships, maintaining both personal holiness and church discipline while trusting God's direction according to Proverbs 3:5-6 and following Christ's example as commanded in 1 John 2:6.
What does the Bible say about bad company?
The Bible warns that bad company corrupts good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Moreover, in 2 Corinthians 6:14, we are instructed not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, illustrating the necessity of surrounding ourselves with those who share our faith and values. This principle is vital for maintaining a focus on holiness and spiritual growth. The Apostle Paul further elucidates this by discussing the company we keep in 1 Corinthians 5, where he emphasizes the need to avoid associating with those who claim to be Christians yet live in blatant sin without repentance. Such distancing is intended to uphold the integrity of the church and protect believers from moral compromise.
1 Corinthians 15:33, 2 Corinthians 6:14
Why is it important to avoid immoral company?
Avoiding immoral company is essential to maintain spiritual purity and moral integrity.
Furthermore, maintaining distance from such company is a means of protecting the church's reputation and its witness to a watching world. By not engaging with those who live in clear opposition to biblical teaching, believers demonstrate the seriousness of sin and the beauty of a life committed to Christ. In doing so, they not only safeguard their spiritual well-being but also potentially lead wayward individuals to repentance by highlighting the consequences of continued sin. Hence, the call to avoid immoral company is deeply rooted in a theology of community and holiness.
1 Corinthians 5:11, 2 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 15:33
How do we know the doctrine of separation from sin is true?
The doctrine of separation from sin is rooted in biblical commands and examples throughout Scripture.
Moreover, the doctrine is exemplified by the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In Matthew 5:30, Jesus emphasizes the seriousness of sin, suggesting drastic measures to avoid it. Additionally, in 1 Corinthians 15:33, the Apostle Paul warns against the corrupting influence of bad company, reinforcing the idea that aligning oneself with sin is detrimental to one’s faith and witness. Thus, the doctrine is established through both direct commands and practical warnings found throughout the New Testament, demonstrating its relevance and truth in guiding the Christian life.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17, Matthew 5:30, 1 Corinthians 15:33
1 Cor 6:18 (NASB) Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.
1 Cor 15:33 (NASB) Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."
1 Cor 15:33 (MKJV) Do not be deceived; evil companionships corrupt good habits.
2 Cor 6:14 (NASB) Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Mat 5:30 (NASB) "If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.
1 Cor 5:11 (NASB) 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.
1 Cor 5:11, (GILL), But now have I written unto you,.... Which shows, that what he had written before was at another time, and in another epistle; but not that what he was now writing was different from the former, only he explains the persons of whom, and the thing about which he has before written:
not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother, be a fornicator; or if any man that is a brother is called, or named a fornicator; or covetous, or an idolater; or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one, no, not to eat. The apostle's meaning is, that in his prohibition of keeping company with men of the above character, he would be understood of such persons as were called brethren; who had been received into the church, and had been looked upon, and had professed themselves to be such; and who might be mentioned by name, as notoriously guilty of fornication, covetousness, idolatry, and extortion, mentioned in the former verse; to which are added two other sins any of them might be addicted to, as "railing" either at their fellow brethren and Christians, or others giving reproachful language to them, and fixing invidious characters on them: and "drunkenness"; living in the frequent commission of that sin, and others before spoken of; and that such persons remaining impenitent and incorrigible, still persisting, in such a vicious course of life, after due admonition given them, were not only to be removed from their religious society, from the communion of the church, and be debarred sitting down, and eating with them at the Lord's table, or at their love feasts, but also were to be denied civil conversation and familiarity with them, and even not suffered to eat common food at the same table with them: which though lawful to be used with the men of the world, yet for some reasons were not advisable to be used with such; partly for vindicating the honour of religion, and preventing the stumbling of the weak; and partly to make such offenders ashamed, and bring them to repentance. The apostle alludes to the behaviour of the Jews, either to persons that were under any pollution, as a woman in the days of her separation, when her husband hme lkay al, "might not eat with her" off of the same plate, nor at the same table, nor on the same cloth; nor might she drink with him, nor mix his cup for him; and the same was observed to persons that had issues on them [o]: or rather to such as were under ywdn, "the sentence of excommunication", and such an one was obliged to sit the distance of four cubits from others, and who might not eat nor drink with him; nor was he allowed to wash and shave himself, nor a sufficiency of food, nor any to sit with him within the space of four cubits, except those of his house [p].
Amo 3:3 (MKJV) Can two walk together unless they are agreed?
Pro 13:20 (MKJV) He who walks with the wise shall be wise, but a companion with fools shall be destroyed.
Pro 3:5-6 (MKJV) Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
1Jn 2:5-7 (MKJV) But whoever keeps His Word, truly in this one the love of God is perfected. By this we know that we are in Him. [6] He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk even as He walked. [7] Brothers, I do not write a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the Word which you have heard from the beginning.
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