1 Corinthians 5:1-5;9-13 - Paul says,
"1It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife.
2You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.
3For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present.
4In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
5I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus...
9I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;
10I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
11But 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.
12For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?
13But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES."
- or -
Luke 6:37 - Jesus says
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."
What is the difference? Why are we instructed not to judge and then Paul gets off on the Corinthinans about not judging? And of what were they boasting? Their non-judgmentalism?
Just some questions rolling around in my brain.
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http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/6_37-42.htm
"Judging" in Luke does not mean using discernment and wisdom. In the original Greek it refers to actually condeming. See above link
The verse when taken out of context, sounds contrary to what Paul is saying - that is true. However, like all good bible readers - you have to read in context and the rest of the passage says; Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be a measure to you.
This verse as well as Matthew 7:1-5 were directed at hypcrites (Jewish religious leaders at the time) who were condeming others for not living up to the standards that they themselves did not live by.
The Pharisees claimed to have the most authoritative voice in Israel in matters pertaining to the 'law' and demanded explicit submission to their teachings. The passage is a warning about judging others by YOUR standards and not by God's standards.
God's standard of judging is CLEAR for those who call themself Christian. Likewise it is also CLEAR for those who are not Christians.
In the case of a Christian who openly persists in defying God (sin), let's say, an adulterer, we are required to exercise our authority as detailed in scripture to call the person on that sin, when they disregard it, you bring 2 or more together and confront them, when that fails we give corporate censure and if that is rebuked, then dis-fellowship. Matt. 18:12-17. This is further enforced by 1 cor 5:11 where we are told not to associate with any so-called brother (a Christian who does not repent), we are not even to eat with them. That is really harsh.
This is not done to punish, but to cause repentance.
Unrepentant sins of the members of the Church must be judged and appropriate actions taken. Unconfessed sin needs to be publicly judged rightly and condemned. Restoration is the goal. If the sinful believer refuses to repent, then we are to break fellowhsip with them until they do repent (2Thess. 1:8, 3:6).
Keep in mind the difference is that, while we are all sinners, saved by grace, the persistent, unrepentant sinner is the one that is judged. The unconfessed sinner, the person who's sin is so vile that they draw others into that sin.
These actions are nothing compared to Gods requirement for sin - death. We all can't escape that and ultimately succomb to it!
These actions are COMPLETELY different for a non-believer who is sinful.
So, when taken in context. Everything is clear - right?
Rick, Great summary and clarification -
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