1 Corinthians 5:11

“But now have I written unto you, etc.] 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;…”

“But now--"Now" does not express time, but "the case being so," namely, that to avoid fornicators, &c., of the world, you would have to leave the world altogether, which would be absurd. So "now" is used in Heb 11:16. Thus we avoid making the apostle now retract a command which he had before given. I have written--that is, my meaning in the letter I wrote was "not to keep company," &c. a brother--contrasted with a "fornicator . . . of the world" (Co1 5:10). There is less danger in associating with open worldlings than with carnal professors. Here, as in Eph 5:3, Eph 5:5, "covetousness" is joined with "fornication": the common fount of both being "the fierce and ever fiercer longing of the…”

““But now.” In this Epistle. This shows that he had written a former letter. I have written to you. - Above. I have designed to give this injunction that you are to be entirely separated from one who is a professor of religion and who is guilty of these things. Not to keep company - To be wholly separated and withdrawn from such a person. Not to associate with him in any manner. If any man that is called a brother - Any professing Christian; any member of the church. Be a fornicator ... - Like him who is mentioned, 1 Corinthians 5:1. Or an idolater - This must mean those persons who, while they professed Christianity, still attended the idol feasts, and worshipped there. Perhaps a few such…”

“Who is named a brother - That is, a Christian; especially if a member of the same congregation. Rapacious - Guilty of oppression, extortion, or any open injustice. No, not to eat with him - Which is the lowest degree of familiarity. 1 Corinthians 5:12”

“5:11 Separation from a professing believer who was living in sin was intended to reinforce and maintain the high moral standards of the Christian community. The social pressure it exerted might also encourage repentance in an erring brother or sister (cp. 2 Thes 3:6, 14).”

“called: Co1 6:6, Co1 7:12, Co1 7:15, Co1 8:11; Mat 18:17; Act 9:17; Rom 16:17; Th2 3:6, Th2 3:14; Jo2 1:10 fornicator: Co1 5:1-9, Co1 5:10; Psa 50:16-21; Co2 12:20, Co2 12:21; Gal 5:19-21; Th1 4:3-8; Rev 2:14; Rev 2:20, Rev 21:8, Rev 22:15 or covetous: Psa 10:3; Mar 7:21-23; Luke 12:15-31; Eph 5:5; Col 3:5; Ti1 3:3, Ti1 6:9, Ti1 6:10; Pe2 2:14, Pe2 2:15 or an idolater: Co1 10:7, Co1 10:8, Co1 10:14, Co1 10:18-22 or a railer: Co1 6:10; Psa 101:5 or a drunkard: Co1 11:21; Mat 24:49-51; Luk 12:45, Luk 12:46, Luk 21:34; Rom 13:13; Gal 2:12; Eph 5:18; Th1 5:7, Th1 5:8 or an extortioner: Eze 22:12; Mat 23:25; Luk 18:11 with: Co1 5:13; Mat 18:17; Rom 16:17; Th2 3:6, Th2 3:14; Ti1 6:5; Jo2 1:10 1…”