Yes, believers should withdraw fellowship from a professing believer living in persistent, gross sin, but only for corrective purposes, not as cruelty.
The separation is meant to bring the sinning believer to his senses and restore him, not to punish or judge the lost. Paul instructs the church to confront such a person and withdraw even from eating with them, while making clear this does not apply to unbelievers in the world, with whom we must have daily contact.
1 Corinthians 5:9-11 — This passage directly addresses the distinction between fellowshipping with sinning believers versus immoral people of the world, which is central to the question.
Scripture, specifically 1 Corinthians 5, instructs believers not to have fellowship with a person who is called a brother but is guilty of immorality or greed. Paul clarifies that this does not refer to the immoral people of the world, for then believers would have to leave the world entirely. The church is to confront the sinning believer as a body and take action, such as withdrawing from eating with that person, so that the seriousness of the sin is made evident. The ultimate goal is restoration, not condemnation, as seen in 2 Corinthians 2 where Paul urges forgiveness and love for the repentant offender.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the command to separate from a sinning believer is not about judging the world, since believers inevitably interact with sinners in daily life (Clip 0). He teaches that the church must confront gross immorality publicly and not ignore it, as ignoring it leads to a lack of distinction between Christians and the world (Clip 2). The separation is meant to restore the believer (Clip 6) and to avoid allowing the world to see no difference between Christians and non-Christians (Clip 5).
The instruction applies to a person who claims to be a believer and is part of the local congregation, and who is guilty of gross immorality or covetousness. It does not apply to the immoral people of the world, as that would require leaving the world entirely (Clip 0).
The purpose is corrective, not punitive. It is meant to bring the sinning believer to his senses and restore him. Les emphasizes that the goal is restoration, not harsh judgment, and that believers should be careful not to become self-righteous (Clip 6).
Les teaches that if a believer continues in known sin, the Lord may take disciplinary action, even to the point of physical sickness or death, to prevent His name from being dishonored. The church, by not addressing the sin, is also guilty (Clip 1, 7).
Not About the World
Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 5 is not about avoiding all immoral people in the world, as that would be impossible; it targets a professing believer in the church.
Lord's Discipline
If a believer persists in sin, the Lord may take strong disciplinary action, even to the point of death, to protect His name's honor.
Church Must Confront Gross Sin
When a couple in the church is openly living in sin, the church must confront them as a body, not ignore it, to make the point that such conduct is unacceptable.
What Does "Babylon the Great" Really Mean in Revelation 18?
I've only got a few moments left again. Now come back with me. Come out of her, My people. Keep that up here in your mind, and come back with me to 2 Corinthians chapter 6. 2 Corinthians chapter 6. This whole concept of separating ourselves from this ungodly, wicked world. I think you've all heard it said, we are in the world, but we're not of it.
God vs. Satan's Magicians: Why Aaron's Rod Swallowed Theirs
The average person can't see any difference between the average Christian and the average person of the world. But God didn't intend it that way. Just as sure as He separated Israel from Egypt, He wants to separate you and I from the world. Now like I said a couple of programs ago, not that we're to be oddballs. We aren't to be just constantly asking for persecution by our actions.
Loss of Distinction
Failure to practice separation has led to a loss of distinction between Christians and the world, so that both cannot tell who is a true believer.
Restore, Not Judge
The goal is to restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, not to inflict harsh judgment, remembering that any of us could be the next to fall.
Church's Guilt for Inaction
The church is guilty if it does nothing about a member living in gross immorality, and the punishment inflicted by the majority should lead to forgiveness after repentance.
1 Corinthians 5:9-11: I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 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. 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.
This verse distinguishes between separating from sinning believers and unavoidable contact with unbelievers.
2 Corinthians 2:6-7: Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
This shows the goal of church discipline is restoration and forgiveness, not permanent ostracism.
Galatians 6:1: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
This reinforces the restorative spirit required when dealing with a sinning fellow believer.
No. The instruction applies only to those who claim to be believers and are part of the church. Paul makes clear that avoiding all immoral people would require leaving the world, which is impossible (Clip 0).
Les teaches that if a believer refuses to repent, the Lord may take disciplinary action, even to the point of physical death, to protect His name's honor (Clip 1).
No. The goal is restoration, not punishment. Les emphasizes that we should restore such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering ourselves (Clip 6).
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Judging Other Christians