Shunning is a topic of significant relevance within the Bible. It refers to the practice of intentionally avoiding or rejecting someone or something, and it is addressed various times across both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The Bible’s stance on shunning is typically connected with a moral or religious justification, suggesting that such behavior may be deemed appropriate in certain circumstances to maintain one’s spiritual integrity.
What Does the Bible Say About Shunning?
The Bible offers varying perspectives on shunning, both within its Old and New Testaments. It mentions situations where individuals or communities consciously decide to shun or disassociate from others due to conflicts with their beliefs, behaviors, or actions. Shunning is usually depicted in the context of spiritual or moral violations that deviate from the values and principles set forth in the Bible.
Why Does the Bible Encourage Shunning in Certain Instances?
While the Bible does not explicitly endorse shunning as a principle practice, it does imply and support it in specific instances particularly involving gross misconduct and sin. It suggests that indulging in or associating with moral vices can diminish one’s spiritual sanctity. Therefore, the act of shunning is viewed not as a means of punishment but as a way to preserve spiritual purity. It is intended as a mechanism to avoid contamination from behaviors or practices considered sinful or unacceptable according to the teachings of the Bible.
Where Does Shunning Fit Within the Broader Themes of the Bible?
Shunning is addressed within the broader themes of the Bible such as love, compassion, forgiveness, and repentance. The Bible often advises engaging in shunning only after efforts to correct behavior or influence change in a person have been futile. It stresses the need for such measures to be taken with love, care, and a clear aim of ultimate restoration rather than out of hatred, vengeance, or spite. Shunning, however harmful it might seem on the surface, is thereby framed within a context of protecting the individual and the community from potential harm.
Who Should Be the True Judge According to the Bible?
Despite outlining circumstances where shunning might be necessary, the Bible also establishes that man is neither the rightful nor the ultimate judge. It states that judgement belongs to God alone. Prior to any act of shunning, believers are mandated to embrace forgiveness and give ample opportunity for the offender to repent. Shunning then becomes a measure taken when all efforts at correction have been exhausted, and with the hope that it may lead the offender to true repentance.
When Does the Bible Promote Reconciliation Over Shunning?
The Bible is fundamentally a text of unending forgiveness, with numerous instances promoting reconciliation over severance. It emphasises the importance of love, unity, and restoration in relationships. While shunning does find its place as a necessary precaution in upholding righteousness, the Bible is clear that it serves as a temporary measure and not the end goal. Once remorse and change set in, the Bible advocates for acceptance and reintegration, reinforcing the idea that all have sinned and it is through repentance one is made right.
Below is the full list of bible verses on shunning (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Shunning
Romans 16:17
“17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
Related Themes: Holiness Division Narcissism Judging Others Church
1 Corinthians 5:11
“11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
Related Themes: Dating Acceptance Money Tolerance Reputation
Galatians 6:1
“1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
Related Themes: Criticism Trespassing Reaping Pride Judging Others
2 John 1:10
“10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”
Related Themes: Tolerance Fidelity Acceptance Excommunication
Titus 3:9-11
“9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”
Related Themes: Arguing Politics Division Debating Quarreling
Matthew 18:15
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
2 Thessalonians 3:14
“14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.”
Related Themes: Idleness Excommunication Discipline
1 Corinthians 5:11-13
“11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
Related Themes: Dating Acceptance Money Tolerance Reputation
Matthew 7:1-5
“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
Related Themes: Judging Others Criticism Judging Others Gossip
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“9 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 mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Related Themes: Lust Abomination Lust Abomination
2 John 1:11
“11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
Related Themes: Enabling
Romans 12:19
“19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Luke 15:1-7
“1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
Related Themes: Addiction
Matthew 18:15-17
“15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Resolving Conflict Gossip
Acts 10:28
“28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”
Related Themes: Abomination Tolerance
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
“14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”
Related Themes: Idleness Excommunication Discipline
Proverbs 3:7
“7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”
1 Corinthians 5:13
“13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
Related Themes: Excommunication
Acts 5:42
“42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”
Job 28:28
“28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”
Related Themes: Wisdom Reverence Education Understanding Peer Pressure
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
“9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
2 John 1:7-11
“7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
Related Themes: Reputation Compromise Deceit
1 Corinthians 5:5
“5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
Related Themes: Excommunication
Jeremiah 23:14
“14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.”
Related Themes: Adultery
Romans 16:17-18
“17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
Related Themes: Holiness Division Narcissism Judging Others Church
Proverbs 22:6
“6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Related Themes: Children Education Respecting Your Parents Business Learning
Job 1:8
“8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”
1 Thessalonians 5:22
“22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Related Themes: Reputation Holiness Self-Control Music Adultery
1 John 2:19
“19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
Related Themes: Perseverance Apostasy
Leviticus 20:13
“13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”
Related Themes: Criticism Impurity Lust Morality Reputation
