12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
12 I'm not responsible for what the outsiders do, but don't we have some responsibility for those within our community of believers?
12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?
12 It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
12 We want you living in a way that will command the respect of outsiders, not lying around sponging off your friends.
12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
12 Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
(Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12)
We should notice in others what is good, to their praise, that we may engage them to abound therein more and more. All who are savingly taught of God, are taught to love one another. The teaching of the Spirit exceeds the teachings of men; and men's teaching is vain and useless, unless God teach. Those remarkable for this or any other grace, need to increase therein, as well as to persevere to the end. It is very desirable to have a calm and quiet temper, and to be of a peaceable and quiet behaviour. Satan is busy to trouble us; and we have in our hearts what disposes us to be unquiet; therefore let us study to be quiet. Those who are busy-bodies, meddling in other men's matters, have little quiet in their own minds, and cause great disturbances among their neighbours. They seldom mind the other exhortation, to be diligent in their own calling, to work with their own hands. Christianity does not take us from the work and duty of our particular callings, but teaches us to be diligent therein. People often by slothfulness reduce themselves to great straits, and are liable to many wants; while such as are diligent in their own business, earn their own bread, and have great pleasure in so doing.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 5:12
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
(Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-13)
Christians are to avoid familiar converse with all who disgrace the Christian name. Such are only fit companions for their brethren in sin, and to such company they should be left, whenever it is possible to do so. Alas, that there are many called Christians, whose conversation is more dangerous than that of heathens!