Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 2
In 1 Corinthians 5:11 Paul lists “covetous” alongside sexual immorality, idolatry, drunkenness, extortion—and commands “not even to eat with such a person”; what would it look like for a modern congregation to take that kind of separation seriously for covetousness, and what fears or objections immediately rise up when you imagine it?
Another way to ask: Paul says not to even eat with someone who is covetous. What would it look like for a church today to take coveting that seriously, and what worries or pushback do you feel when you picture it?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, taking separation seriously would require a congregation to treat covetousness as a real, deadly sin and address it with the same gravity as other sins—yet it would be difficult because covetousness is often hidden and hard to define. The immediate fears are misjudging motives, making “laws,” and disciplining what can’t be clearly proven.
- Paul’s instruction is explicit: “not even to eat with such a person,” and the speaker highlights how strange it feels because the covetous person “doesn't seem to exist” in church practice.
- The speaker stresses he won’t label individuals: “I can't read people's hearts,” showing why churches hesitate.
- He says covetousness has “difficult…specific parameters,” and Scripture doesn’t give a simple line: “the Bible doesn't give us…you've crossed the line here.”
- He frames his applications as “personal guidelines…not…laws or rules,” anticipating objections about legalism.
- He warns it’s a “deadly sin” where we should avoid even the “gray area” and “get as far away…as you can.”