1 Corinthians 5:11
What does 1 Corinthians 5:11 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 5:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 5:11 means
Now Paul states the heart of his instruction: do not keep company with anyone “named a brother” who lives in unrepentant sin—whether fornicator, covetous, idolater, reviler, drunkard, or extortioner. The list spans sexual, financial, religious, verbal, and self-indulgent sins, showing that scandal is not limited to one area. “Not to eat” underscores withdrawing close fellowship, likely including shared meals and the Lord’s Supper. The aim is clarity and restoration: the church must not normalize what Christ died to cleanse. Fellowship communicates approval; withholding it warns in love and guards the community’s holiness and witness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But 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.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and now, I did write to you not to keep company with <FI>him<Fi> , 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;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But now I have written to you, not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator or covetous or a server of idols or a railer or a drunkard or an extortioner: with such a one, not so much as to eat.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But 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.
Context
After distinguishing outsiders from insiders (v. 10), Paul applies separation to professing believers who persist in grievous sins. This operationalizes the earlier call to purge the old leaven (vv. 6–8). Verses 12–13 will supply the governing principle for this boundary: the church is called to judge those within, while God judges those without, culminating in the command to expel the wicked person.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 12:20
For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;
- 1 Corinthians 10:7
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
- Romans 13:13
Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.
- 1 Corinthians 11:21
for in your eating each one taketh before other his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
- 1 Corinthians 7:12
But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her.
- 1 Corinthians 10:18
Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore 1 Corinthians 5
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on 1 Corinthians 5.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Body Image
Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, and these scriptures help us to see ourselves through His eyes.
Topic
Bible Verses About God’s Calling
Explore what it means to be called by God, whether to salvation, service, or a particular purpose in life.
Topic
Bible Verses About The Church
The church, in its various forms, is a central theme in Scripture, revealing God's plan for humanity's redemption and community
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When Your Marriage Is Falling Apart
When the silence at home is louder than the words — verses to pray for your marriage.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You're Struggling With Addiction
When the cycle won't break — verses for the long road home.