I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

1 CORINTHIANS 5:9KJV
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1 Corinthians 5:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 5:9 mean?

1 Corinthians 5:9 means that Paul, in a previous letter, instructed the Corinthian Christians not to associate closely with people who practice sexual immorality. Paul is reminding them that he had already given this guidance before the letter they are now reading.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing problems of behavior among its members. Here, Paul refers to an earlier letter (now lost) where he told them not to "company with fornicators," meaning not to mix or keep close fellowship with those known for sexual immorality. This sets up his clarification in the following verses about the difference between those inside and outside the church.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 5:9

  • "company" (συναναμίγνυσθαι, synanamignysthai): This Greek word means to mix together or associate closely. Paul is not just talking about casual contact, but about forming close, ongoing relationships or partnerships.
  • "fornicators" (πόρνοις, pornois): This word refers to people who are engaged in sexual immorality, especially those who make a habit of it. Paul is using a term that would have been clearly understood in the Corinthian context, where sexual immorality was a common issue.

Why 1 Corinthians 5:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Paul had already addressed the issue of sexual immorality before, showing that the problem in Corinth was ongoing and serious.
  • It helps readers see that Paul is not talking about avoiding all contact with non-Christians, but is especially concerned with how believers relate to those within the church who persist in such behavior.
  • The verse sets the stage for the next few verses, where Paul explains more about what he means, helping to avoid misunderstandings about how Christians should relate to the wider society.

Where else these words appear

“company” Greek G4874 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 5:11 But 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.
  • 2 Thessalonians 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

“fornicators” Greek G4205 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
  • Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
  • Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

“epistle” Greek G1992 · used in 23 verses

  • Acts 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
  • Colossians 4:16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.