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“And Such Were Some Of You … Extortioners”

by Micky Galloway

The beloved apostle Paul wrote, “Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God” (I Corinthians 6:9-11).

In a previous article we dealt with “thieves” and those who are “covetous.” Stealing that which belongs to another is just wrong! In this study, we want to consider that there were some in Corinth who were “extortioners.” What is “extortion?” In Luke 3:8-14 John the Baptist commanded the Jews to, “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy repentance.” This prompted the question from several, “What then must we do?” Even the publicans (tax-collectors) and the soldiers asked, “Teacher, what must we do?” John said unto the publicans who were noted for their evil. “Extort no more than that which is appointed you.” A certain part of men’s earnings was demanded for taxes, but the publicans usually asked more, and enriched themselves by the difference. They were hated by the people, who considered them traitors because they worked for Rome. The soldiers likewise behaved dishonorably. They were often brutal to civilians, and practiced extortion upon them, taking money from them by force. They were told, “Do violence to no man.” The Greek word for “do violence” (diaseisete) means “to shake down.” The idiom is the same as that of the English slang expression “to shake somebody down for his money.” That some in Corinth were stealing by manipulation of funds and by force is apparent.

Again, Exodus 20:15 clearly teaches, “Thou shalt not steal.” “All theft is forbidden by this precept; national and commercial wrongs as well as petty larceny, highway robberies, and private stealing: even the taking advantage of a seller’s or buyer’s ignorance, to give one less and make the other pay more for a commodity than its worth, is a breach of this sacred law. All withholding of rights and doing of wrongs are against the spirit of it” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary). Taking that which rightfully belongs to another is sinful and includes, taking his goods from his person, or house, or field, forcibly or through deceit, over-reaching in bargains, failing to restore what is borrowed or found, withholding just debts, rents, or wages, and to rob the public of revenue by cheating on income taxes. Paul classifies thieves and extortioners as equally criminal, whether it be common pilferage or organized, “white-collar” crime. Stealing is stealing!

That the Corinthians had exercised themselves in taking that which is rightfully belongs to another, even by force is evident and seems characteristic of those of the world. Stealing by being a bully is nonetheless stealing. Paul said to the Ephesians, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Ephesians 4:28; cf I Thessalonians 4:6). Those converted at Corinth had in the past little respect for the property of another. There was danger that they would fall into these old attitudes again; and hence the necessity of special cautions of the eternal consequences of returning to the old life.

What is the cure for such brutality as extortion? Once again, we must be willing to get at the root of such selfishness. We must change the heart. Paul said, “Put to death … covetousness” (Colossians 3:5-6). John admonished, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15). Obedience to the Lord prompted by love for Him can purify the heart, guard thoughts and discipline the desires. The cure for these sins is repentance. “And such WERE some of you” (I Corinthians 6:11). Christians must heed the warning that those who practice these things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. We must be sure that we are guilty of none of these crimes, “for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 5:6).

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