“And Such Were Some Of You”

by Chris Simmons

In the context of I Corinthians 6:9-11, Paul lists some of the sins that the brethren in Corinth had been guilty of before they had been “washed…sanctified…(and) justified” through their obedience to the gospel. They had been individuals (“and such were some of you”) who previously practiced the sins listed in verses 9 & 10 and as such found themselves separated from God and Christ and without hope (cf Isaiah 59:1-2; Ephesians 2:12). Those Christians in Corinth had to first be convicted of the fact that they stood condemned before God because of their sinful practices. Paul’s preaching in the city of Corinth (and in every city he preached; I Corinthians 4:17) therefore had to include the topics of fornication, idolatry, adultery, effeminacy, homosexuality, thievery, covetousness, drunkenness, reviling, and swindling. Those in Corinth had to understand what those sins were and how they condemned them before God. The question is, do we understand? We live in a world where efforts are continually mounted to try and blur the line between right and wrong, if not to completely eliminate the concept of sin. It is the intention of this series of articles to study the sins that Paul says will keep us from “inherit(ing) the kingdom of God” according to I Corinthians 6:9-11 as well as some related sins described in other passages.

Before beginning a study of the specific sins, there are a number of related lessons we must learn. First, it’s vitally important to note that the washing, sanctification and justification of those in Corinth did not entitle them to return to the sinful practices they once lived in. God’s word demands repentance and biblical repentance not only demands that we no longer continue practicing the sin, but that we also do everything in our power to make restitution for the sin committed. This is the “vindication,” “avenging of wrong” and the demonstration of innocence that Paul taught had to accompany true repentance motivated by godly sorrow (II Corinthians 7:10-11). The thief cannot keep what was stolen, the adulterer cannot continue in the adulterous relationship, the idolater cannot keep the idol, the swindler cannot keep what he swindled, nor can the drunkard keep becoming intoxicated, etc. Whether before or after baptism, the sins listed will keep one from “inherit(ing) the kingdom of God.”

We also need to learn from the context of I Corinthians 6:9-11 that people can repent and change. We might be tempted to believe that the adulterer, homosexual, drunkard, or the thief (or any other type of sinner) would never be willing to turn from their sins and put on the Lord Jesus Christ (cf Romans 13:14). To give in to that temptation is really to doubt the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16) and its ability to pierce the heart of man (Acts 2:38). The gospel that Paul proclaimed changed their lives and their conduct in Corinth and we must believe that it can do the same today.

It’s also important to understand that the sins that they were guilty of then are still sins today and we are responsible for understanding exactly what the sinful practices are that will separate us from our Father in heaven. Man has no right to decide that something God says is sinful no longer is. Changes in societal standards do not impact God’s determination of sin. God’s standards for sin and righteousness were “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) meaning what displeased God when the New Testament was written is what displeases God today. Just because our society accepts, and actually takes pride in, sin (rather than being ashamed) doesn’t mean God’s will has changed (cf Jeremiah 8:11-12).

Parents are all the more responsible for understanding what conduct and behavior is sinful in God’s sight. If parents abdicate their responsibility to teach their children, the world will gladly impose its standards and definitions upon their hearts and minds. We would be negligent in our duty to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) if we failed to teach them about what such specific sins are as we read of in I Corinthians 6:9-11. Rest assured, our children will get their answers from somewhere! Children not only need to know what these sins are, but what circumstances and situations lead to them. Paul taught in Romans 13:13-14 that there are places and situations that need to be avoided which provide for the lusts of the flesh and the sins that follow.

We also need to be continually reminded that providing clear definitions to these sins is not for the purpose of inviting us to get as close as we can without crossing the line. Rather, we are to know what these sins are so that we can turn and “flee” from them, not inch towards them (cf I Timothy 6:11; II Timothy 2:22).

Finally, as we begin this study, it needs to be noted that neither this passage nor any other single Bible context gives us a single, exhaustive list of sins to be avoided. Rather, it is incumbent upon each one of us to study the “sum of Thy word” in order to know the “truth” regarding all that is sinful before God (Psalms 119:160). When Paul discussed the “deeds of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21, which also will prevent one from “inherit(ing) the kingdom of God,” he listed 15 specific sins and then finished with the statement “and things like these.” Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:22, “abstain from every form of evil” which means that we are to turn away from (note that the same Greek word for “abstain” is used in the Septuagint in Job 1:1) every form and fashion that evil presents itself.