1 Corinthians 5:10

Of this world. That is, the unbelieving sinners who are outside the church and make no profession of acceptance of the way of Christ. Paul does not teach in this verse that Christians should not have any dealings at all with non-Christians or unbelievers. That would be altogether impracticable. Licentiousness was so common among the Corinthians that it would not be possible to carry on the ordinary affairs of life, such as buying and selling, without coming in contact with it. In His prayer for His followers Jesus made it clear that His people will remain in contact with the unbelieving world around them, but they are not to partake of its spirit (John 17:14-16).

Covetous. Gr. pleonektai, from pleon, “more,” and echo, “to have.” It describes those who want more and more.

Extortioners. This refers to that class of persons who, in their greed for material wealth, oppress the poor and unfortunate. They are devoid of pity and compassion. They are so enslaved by their own selfish lust for money that they will use any method to gain their objective. They have no regard for the claims of decency and kindness (see Ps. 109:11).

Idolaters. The vast majority of the inhabitants of Corinth were idol worshipers. An idolater may be defined as one who devotes his mind to anything that takes the place of God. Christians must avoid intimate association with those who do not place God first and foremost in their thoughts, words, and deeds. The mind must be kept under rigid control at all times, lest worldly thoughts, ideas, and principles be allowed to guide the life instead of the pure and holy principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ (see 2 Cor. 10:5).

Out of the world. As long as Christians are in this world, they will be in contact with impenitent sinners who do not understand the awful nature of the evil practices mentioned in this verse. They are not to be hermits and isolate themselves from society. They have a definite duty to perform for the unbelieving world. They are commanded to bear testimony to the world of the saving power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To do this they must of necessity maintain contact with the world. Their association with unbelievers must not be of the same kind as with believers (see 2 Cor. 6:14-16). Jesus moved among the people of the world; He visited them in their homes and partook of their hospitality (see Matt. 4:23-25; 9:10-13; Luke 19:5-7). The purpose of His association with them was to minister to their needs. He imparted to them a knowledge of the Father and offered them salvation from sin (see DA 150-152). Such is to be the constant objective of the Christian’s association with unbelievers. God does not desire His people to adopt an attitude of aloofness from the world. He expects them to take part in various lawful affairs of the world, and at the same time to bear testimony against the sins of the world.