Complicity is a criminal law doctrine where a person can be held responsible for a crime committed by another. It involves intentionally assisting, soliciting, or encouraging the commissions of a crime, making the accomplice liable to the same extent as the person who physically committed the act.  

The concept of complicity in the Bible refers to the act of being involved with others in wrongdoing or sin, either through direct participation or passive consent. Below are examples of complicity in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Achan’s disobedience in taking forbidden items during the conquest of Jericho led to Israel’s defeat at Ai. Everything was supposed to be destroyed. Although the sin was committed by one man, the entire community suffered (Joshua 7).

Eli, the high priest, failed to restrain his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were corrupt and abused their priestly positions. Eli’s passive complicity in their sins resulted in divine judgment upon his household (1 Samuel 2:12-17,22-25).

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, found no fault in Jesus but succumbed to the pressure of the crowd (group think), washing his hands as a symbolic gesture of innocence. Despite his attempt to distance himself, Pilate’s complicity in the crucifixion of Christ is clear (Matthew 27:24-26).

The Apostle Paul admonished the Corinthian church for tolerating immorality among its members. Not just picking one kind of sin and ignoring others. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He instructed them to expel the offender to prevent the spread of sin within the congregation.

This account, underscores the responsibility of church leaders to confront and correct wrongdoing. We are our brother’s and our sister’s keeper. Believers are called to uphold righteousness and justice, even when it requires standing against prevailing cultural or societal norms.

These directives emphasize the need for the church to actively address concerns and avoid complicity through inaction. (1 Corinthians 5:1-13). I believe the church has a responsibility to speak to its members about hurts in the community that they have the power to correct. Especially if they say they are believers, following Christ.

Moreover, the church is tasked with maintaining purity and holiness among its members. This involves confronting sin and exercising discipline when necessary. Complicity in sin, and wrong doing undermines the church’s witness and hinders its mission to reflect Christ’s holiness to the world.