The term “to mix together” (συναναμίγνυμι) relates to the company we keep.
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul addresses a serious issue within the Corinthian assembly concerning a believer who is openly engaging in sin. Instead of mourning over this situation, the Corinthians were prideful, boasting about allowing this individual to remain among them (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). Paul rebukes them for their arrogance and instructs them to deliver this one to Satan—effectively removing him from the assembly (1 Corinthians 5:4-5). Paul uses the metaphor of leaven, symbolizing how a sinful lifestyle affects everyone, to emphasize the need for moral purity within their community: ‘Purge out the old leaven’.
Previously, Paul had written to the Corinthian assembly not to keep company (mix together with) those who are involved in fornication (1 Corinthians 5:9). Now he expands on what he wrote, commanding them to stop mixing together with any brother in the Lord who is a fornicator, covetous, idolator, reviler, drunkard, or an extortioner (1 Corinthians 5:11).
In 2 Thessalonians 5:14, Paul writes to the assembly in Thessalonica to not keep company with (mix together) brethren that walk in a disorderly manner, not working, and being involved in busybody. If a man does not work, he is not to eat. Those who walk disorderly are defiant of good order—involved with inappropriate behavior. They eat another’s food without paying, and get involved in their business, where they are not welcomed.
Who we associate with impacts our lives more than we think. We are not to be deceived, bad company corrupts useful habits (1 Corinthians 15:33). We are not to treat those who walk disorderly as the unsaved; however, as long as they are walking in a disorderly manner we are not to mix with them. Loving as saint would not permit us to keep company with them when they are bluntly involved in sin or not holding to the traditions that we received from Paul.
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