Paul gives difficult instruction: 'But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such a person.' This is church discipline.
I was hurt by church discipline done poorly—judgment masquerading as righteousness, gossip disguised as concern. This verse was used to exile people. But I'm learning Paul's point is mercy, not punishment. He's calling the community to maintain boundaries because boundaries protect community.
I work in a recovery community where boundaries are crucial. If we welcome in without standard, we enable rather than heal. But if we exclude without possibility of restoration, we become cruel. Paul is describing the hard middle: you are part of our community, you are loved, but this behavior harms the community and harms you, so we step back. The goal is always restoration. Sometimes boundaries create the conditions for that.
No comments yet. Be the first.