Chapter 5
Corruption Within the Church
5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife.
Paul addresses an unacceptable sin that he has heard about. The sin is described as a man having a sexual relationship with his father’s wife (presumably his stepmother). Paul adds that this kind of relationship isn’t even tolerated among pagans!
5:2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
He calls them arrogant, proud of the fact, which means that not only were they aware of this relationship, but they also believed it was acceptable behavior (see Ephesians 4:30). Instead of admiring the relationship, Paul tells them they should be mourning and proclaims that the people involved be removed from the church.
5:3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
Since no one from the church seems to understand the seriousness of the sexual immorality among them, Paul asserts his authority and tells them that when they gather next together in the name of Jesus, he will be there in spirit, and that in the power of Jesus they are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. He explains that in this way his spirit will be saved.
The meaning of verse five is often debated. First issue is the instruction to “deliver this man to Satan” There have been a number of people in the Bible that were at some point in their lives “handed over to Satan,” including Job (see Job 1:12; 2:6), Peter (see Luke 22:31-32), Hymenaeus, and Alexander (see 1 Timothy 1:20). Some question if the man was a believer, while unconscionable, is likely since Paul noted that his spirit may be saved. But only after the destruction (Greek word ‘olethron’, to kill or ruin, as punishment unavoidable distress and torment) of the flesh. The second issue is that to some this seems harsh, but two things are accomplished, the church sees that the man’s actions were wrong, and that he can no longer be an example for others to follow.
5:6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Apparently the church not only knew about the improper sexual relationship, they boasted about it, perhaps proudly announcing their tolerance. Paul warns that their boasting is definitely not appropriate (remember 1 Corinthians 1:29, see also Ephesians 2:8-9; James 4:16). Paul then asks them if they knew that all it takes is a little amount of leaven to leaven the whole lump of dough. He is using the Biblical metaphor of leaven, being a fast-acting ingredient that represents sin, to warn them that once sin enters it will eventually corrupt the whole church. He instructs them to remove the old leaven (the man in the immoral relationship) so that they can return to being unleavened.
Paul goes back to when leaven is first mentioned in the Bible regarding the Passover Lamb, as It was not allowed to be eaten during Passover (see Exodus 12:15-13:7). From its first appearance and throughout the Bible, leaven represents sin and corruption. Here, Paul reminds them that Jesus, the one who was without sin and died for their sins, is the real Passover Lamb. So they are to celebrate the Passover festival not with leavened “old bread” but with new unleavened bread. Some debate whether it was near the time of the Spring festivals or not, but most consider the reference to them getting a fresh start.
5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
The context of verse nine implies that Paul had written a letter to the church prior to this one. If there was a previous letter these verses are all that is known about the content of that letter. He told them in that letter to not associate with sexually immoral people. He clarifies that he was not referring to unbelievers that indulge in sexual sin, greedy, worship idols, abusive, a drunkard, or a swindler, don’t even dine with these people. Paul says that’s not their job to judge them as God judges those that are outside the church. But it is their responsibility to judge those inside the church (see also Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 6:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 3:15; Titus 3:10; James 5:19). Paul concludes the subject be saying again, you must remove the evil person from among you (see verse two).
Considerations
Delivered to Satan
As mentioned above, this concept is highly controversial. In most churches this process would be called excommunication, a form of discipline that should not be taken lightly nor should it be typically applied first. Since Satan is the ruler of this world, turning a believer over to him removes them from the care and support of Christian fellowship forcing them them back into the world on their own. The word deliver (‘paradounai’) refers to a judicial act of sentencing, of being handed over for punishment. Since Satan cannot change a believer’s salvation (see John 3:15-16; Romans 8:38-39; 1 John 5:13) he can torture and ultimately kill the body, but cannot destroy or change the destination of their soul.
Tolerance
Many believe that the attribute of being tolerant of others is an act of Christian love. My response to that premise may sound blunt, but NO it is not! Being tolerant of odd or different behaviors is one thing, but tolerance of sin is not what the Bible teaches. As we have seen in this chapter, sin must be addressed. Jesus even gave us a protocol to follow if we observe sin being practiced in a fellow believer (see Matthew 18:15-20). Even though the text refers to when someone sinning against you, it also applies to any sin observed. Many are quick to quote Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (NIV) and sadly many back down when they hear those words from Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.” Jesus does call on us to judge others, just not hypocritically (see Matthew 7:15-20, see also Considerations after 1 Corinthians 16:21-24, titled “Heavy Anticipation”).
Another form of tolerance several Christians and churches today often promote and praise is the acceptance of other religions and beliefs. First, there is a difference between respecting someone’s belief and accepting it. Second, there is only one truth, it cannot be relative. If Biblical truth didn’t have eternal condemnation consequences it wouldn’t be so vitally important to get it right, but it is, and false doctrine needs to be called out for what it is!