1 Corinthians Chapter 5
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality amongst you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named amongst the Gentiles, that one has his father's wife.
2 You are arrogant, and didn't mourn instead, that he who had done this deed might be removed from amongst you.
3 For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 are to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump?
7 Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.
8 Therefore let's keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners;
10 yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world.
11 But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don't even eat with such a person.
12 For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don't you judge those who are within?
13 But those who are outside, God judges. "Put away the wicked man from amongst yourselves."
Footnotes
- Verse 13
- Deuteronomy 17:7; 19;19; 21:21; 22:21; 24:7
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1 Corinthians Chapter 5 Guide
The apostle now passed to derelictions. The first was lack of discipline. A case of immorality had brought no sense of shame to the church, and no action had been taken. The woman was called to immediate and drastic dealing therewith, and was to act in harmony with the apostle's instruction finally by "the power of the Lord Jesus." The man must be severed from all the advantages of church fellowship.
The reasons for these strong measures were the ultimate salvation of the excommunicated man and the purification of the church. The whole teaching emphasized that there must be no toleration of evil in the church.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
1 Corinthians Chapter 5 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The apostle blames the Corinthians for connivance at an incestuous person; -- (1-8)
- And directs their behaviour towards those guilty of scandalous crimes. -- (9-13)
Verses 1-8
The apostle notices a flagrant abuse, winked at by the Corinthians. Party spirit, and a false notion of Christian liberty, seem to have saved the offender from censure. Grievous indeed is it that crimes should sometimes be committed by professors of the gospel, of which even heathens would be ashamed. Spiritual pride and false doctrines tend to bring in, and to spread such scandals. How dreadful the effects of sin! The devil reigns where Christ does not. And a man is in his kingdom, and under his power, when not in Christ. The bad example of a man of influence is very mischievous; it spreads far and wide. Corrupt principles and examples, if not corrected, would hurt the whole church. Believers must have new hearts, and lead new lives. Their common conversation and religious deeds must be holy. So far is the sacrifice of Christ our Passover for us, from rendering personal and public holiness unnecessary, that it furnishes powerful reasons and motives for it. Without holiness we can neither live by faith in him, nor join in his ordinances with comfort and profit.
Verses 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!
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.