Dear Brethren,
From time to time, the Church is required to “mark”—take note of—someone. We read of this in the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth, composed under the inspiration of God near the Days of Unleavened Bread. Understanding the instructions given there is vital to our spiritual health.
As we all know, leavening puffs up bread dough, and Paul used this metaphor several times in the letter. He also spoke directly about how spiritual leavening was affecting some members in the congregation. His mention of members being “puffed up” included concern about how they were pitting one true minister against another. “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other” (1 Corinthians 4:6).
Paul’s next two uses of this expression describe some people’s attitude of smug self-confidence. “Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power” (vv. 18–19). It is evident from Paul’s letter that the Corinthian church had members lacking spiritual maturity and insight, and he pleaded with them to “imitate me” (v. 16), later adding the caveat, “just as I also imitate Christ” (11:1).
Love Does Not Excuse Sin
But all of this was leading up to another serious problem in Corinth. A man in the congregation was having an improper relationship with his stepmother, and members were not only untroubled by this, but taking pride in their attitudes of “love” and “mercy.” “And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you” (5:2). What follows is a stinging rebuke. “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (vv. 4–5).
Paul reminded them that if they allowed the leaven of sin to remain in the Body of Christ, it would spread to others (v. 6). Paul understood that lawlessness leads to more lawlessness (Romans 6:19). The Corinthian brethren, instead of being appalled by this man’s behavior, were puffed up. But in what way?
Clearly, they felt righteously tolerant. I remember a similar congregation once tolerating a woman living with a man outside of marriage (and a non-believer, at that). Members thought, She is so nice—she is just weak. Unbelievably, this went on for several years! Members thought of themselves as kind, loving, and merciful, but this was not the approach Paul took, and neither should it be ours. This was not the first time Paul instructed Corinth on such matters. He refers to an earlier instruction:
I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person (1 Corinthians 5:9–11).
Whoever this sexually immoral man was, he was probably liked by many in the congregation. He probably had some good character traits. He may have had a good sense of humor and been fun to be around. Nevertheless, no matter how popular he might have been, what matters is that Paul, inspired by God, declared that there are more important things than close friendships. And his instructions to avoid sinners did not stop with the sexually immoral. In his epistle to the Romans he addressed the subject more broadly.
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil (Romans 16:17–19).
The King James Version uses a similar word in verse 17, saying to “mark them which cause divisions.” Over the decades, we have used the term mark rather than note. Mark can but does not necessarily carry with it an emphasis on the Church’s responsibility to point out someone to avoid. Indeed, that is what Paul did with the fornicator in Corinth—but notice the context of Paul’s command to the Corinthians. Was he not telling them to do what they should have already done? Those in that congregation should have avoided the fornicator much earlier, and not waited for Paul to step in and correct them. That is clear from the whole context!
Prioritize Your Loyalty
In the case of Romans, Paul’s address is to the brethren—believers as a body. The New King James Version carries the sense of taking note. Paul mentions no one in particular—just to take note of anyone causing division and avoid them. Certainly, it is best for the Church to make that determination and make members aware when they might not fully understand something. But, as in Corinth, there is also personal responsibility placed on the membership. When you see someone who claims to be a brother or sister in Christ causing division or living an openly immoral life, avoid that person. God’s mind regarding divisive people is not obscure:
These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren (Proverbs 6:16–19).
And remember what God tells us about rebellion and stubbornness: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23). If we understand these instructions, we realize that there are limits to friendship.
Jesus taught His disciples, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). “A friend is a friend for life” is a sentiment that does not square with the Bible. The truth is that most friendships in this life are temporary. Circumstances and people change over time. Many close friends in the past are no longer close today, because they ceased sharing the interests and values that brought them together in the first place. Do we still remember them and care for them? Of course—but in the Church, we also recognize that basic question asked by the prophet Amos: “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3).
We should value friendship, but let us not allow our human reasoning and emotions to override important instructions from God. It is not a sin to have friends who have left our fellowship and see them at appropriate times—such as weddings, funerals, and other such events. But it can become a sin when we reject the biblical admonition to avoid those who live immoral lives or cause division. If you are a friend of God, you cannot be a friend of the world (James 4:4). Our loyalties must first and foremost be to our ultimate friend, Jesus Christ.
