Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of I Corinthians Chapter 5
Metaphysically Interpreting I Corinthians 5:9-13
5:9I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators; 5:10not at all meaning with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world: 5:11but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. 5:12For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? 5:13But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.
July 20, 1941: I Cor. 5:9-13
What point is there in the distinction drawn between “the fornicators of this world” and those of like character, who are named brothers? The latter are to be avoided more than the former for the reason that brothers in Christ are moved by the same spirit, and without faithfulness to the ideal of purity and honesty there can be no spiritual unity among so-called brothers. The standard of perfection is to be upheld without wavering.
Why was it forbidden to eat with an unfaithful brother? Eating symbolizes the appropriation of substance, and no one can appropriate the substance of both Truth and falsity. “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
What form of judgment is forbidden to man, and what form is required of him? He is not to judge others (them that fare without) but is to busy himself with clearing up his inner conflicts. “Do not ye judge them that are within ?”
What company is one to keep while judging “them that are within”? The best mental company that one can keep is that of high ideals and clean thoughts, idled with a desire to serve Truth in the capacity for which one is best fitted.
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 11-09-2013
