1 Corinthians 5
A Case of Gross Criminality; Christian Purity.This section addresses a shocking sin that was happening in the Corinthian church and how the church should respond. Paul is upset that such a serious problem exists among them, and even more upset that the church is not dealing with it properly. He teaches that church members must care about purity and take action to protect the whole community.v. 1: Paul explains that there is a terrible report about the church: a man is living in sexual sin with his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5:1 a). This is not just ordinary immorality; it is a kind of sin that even the Gentiles do not accept. Such actions bring shame and dishonor to the church and to the name of Christ. Paul reminds us that the sins of Christians are quickly noticed by others, so believers must live carefully. v. 2: Paul criticizes the church for their reaction. Instead of feeling sad and ashamed, they are proud (1 Corinthians 5:2 b). Some may have admired the person because of his gifts or position, while others might have used the situation to feel superior. Paul says that pride can blind us to sin, whether in ourselves or in others. He explains that the right response to such sin is to mourn and to remove the guilty person from the church community. v. 3-5: Paul gives instructions about what to do with the man who sinned. Even though Paul is not there in person, he has already judged the case by the guidance of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 5:3-5 c). Paul tells them to excommunicate the man and hand him over to Satan, so that his sinful nature will be destroyed, but his spirit may be saved in the end. This action should be done in the name and power of Christ, with the whole church gathered together. The goal is not just punishment, but to help the person repent and be saved. Paul teaches that church discipline is for the spiritual good of everyone involved (1 Timothy 5:20 d). – – v. 6: Paul warns the church about the danger of allowing such sin to remain among them. He says, Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6 e). Just as a small amount of yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough, one person’s sin can influence the whole church. Paul reminds them that they must remove what is sinful to keep the church pure (2 Corinthians 12:21 f). Exhortation to Christian Purity.In this section, Paul urges the church in Corinth to strive for purity. He uses the image of leaven (yeast) to show how even a little sin can spread and affect the whole community. Paul teaches that, because Jesus has died for us, Christians should live holy lives and remove sinful attitudes and actions from among them.v. 7: Paul tells the believers to purge out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump (1 Corinthians 5:7 g). This means the church must remove the sinful person from their group, so the community can be pure. Paul also means that each Christian should get rid of impurity in their own lives, especially the sins that are common in their city or culture. Christians should avoid not only sexual sin but also malice and wickedness, because these things can spread and harm everyone. Love must guide our actions, because God is love (1 John 4:16 h). If we hold hate or malice, it is like being a murderer at heart (1 John 3:15; John 8:44 i). Christians should reject everything that looks like hatred or evil.v. 7-8: Paul gives the reason for his advice: For Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed for us (1 Corinthians 5:7 j). Just as the Jews celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread after the Passover, Christians should live holy lives because Jesus died for them. This is not just for a short time, but for all of life. Christians must die to sin and rise to live a new life, both inside and out. Our whole life should be like a feast of unleavened bread, filled with sincerity and truth. The sacrifice of Jesus shows how serious sin is and how much God hates it. Because Jesus died for our sins, we should hate sin and seek to be pure, not hold on to what killed our Lord. – Advice to Shun Scandalous Professors.In this section, Paul teaches the Corinthians how to deal with people who claim to be Christians but continue to live in obvious sin. He explains that the church must separate itself from such people, not to be cruel, but to protect the community and encourage the sinner to change. Paul also makes it clear that this rule is different when dealing with people outside the church.v. 9: Paul reminds the believers that he wrote to them before, telling them not to keep company with people who practice sexual sin . This may have been in a previous letter that is now lost, but the message is still clear. He says that if someone calls himself a brother, meaning a Christian, but is a fornicator, greedy, idolater, abusive, or a drunkard, the church should not eat or spend time with that person. The purpose is to make the person feel ashamed and lead them to repentance. Christians are called to avoid close friendship with anyone who claims to be a believer but lives in a way that brings shame to Christ’s name. v. 10-11: Paul explains that he does not mean Christians should avoid all contact with sinful people in the world, like unbelievers who do wrong (1 Corinthians 5:10-11 k). That would be impossible, because such people are everywhere and it would mean leaving the world completely. Instead, Paul is saying Christians must especially avoid those who claim to follow Christ but act in wicked ways. It is more dangerous to accept sin among believers than among non-believers, because it can influence the whole church. – v. 12-13: Paul gives the reason for this difference. Christians do not judge those outside the church—God will judge them (1 Corinthians 5:12-13 l). However, those who are inside the church are under church discipline, and the community must deal with them. Paul says, Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person (1 Corinthians 5:13 m). The church must remove sinful members to keep itself pure and to show the seriousness of following Christ.
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