1 Corinthians 5:9, Not to Company With Fornicators
1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
The psalmist echo the words of the Apostle Paul in Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
He tells them that he has written to them in a previous letter to have no association with that particular man who committed incest. The word “fornicator” comes from the verb “to sell” which is from the verb “to pass through or carry over” (particularly as merchants) and thence to sell, describing a whoremonger or male prostitute. (Zodhiates) He tells them to be careful of immoral people, do not keep close company with them (MacArthur).
Rather, keep close to God as the psalmist advised in Psalm 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The warning is that the ungodly God shall judge – Psalm 1:4-5 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
May God grant His people the strength to separate from sin and live holy lives. Amen.