1 Corinthians Chapter 5

In chapter 5 we see start to see some of the outcomes of the focus of the Corinthians.  Paul has said that they were spiritually immature (1 Cor. 3:1).  He said that they were focused on fleshly things, rather than spiritual.  This was evidenced in the manner in which they were seeking to follow their “favourite” leader, rather than following Christ.  They had become puffed up and boastful, rather than being humble and obedient towards God.

 Their pride extended to allowing a sinner to remain in sin.  We live in a world where we are not supposed to point out sin, where to do so would be judgemental. Paul wrote to the Galatians “So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Gal. 4:16.  The same thing can easily happen to us, but that must not stop us pointing put the truth.

 There was a brother in the church that was committing sexual immorality with his father’s wife.  Any form of immorality is bad bit this does seem like an extreme case.  Note the following verses 1 Cor 6:9-13, 18, 1 Thess 4:1-7, Rev 21:7-8.

 God has provided a means for men and women to satisfy their sexual needs and that is through marriage 1 Cor 7:1-7, Matt 19:3-4, 1Cor 6:15-16.  Sexual immorality is not to be accepted in the church.  Rather than being sorrowful about this sin in the church, the Corinthians were boastful (Vs 2, 6)

 Paul made it very clear how they were to deal with this unrepentant sinner. Vs 13 “REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES.” See vss. 4 and 5.  Paul was delivering this brother over to whom he was already with.  By his actions he had already left the Lord and had sided with Satan.  By casting him out of the church he might be shocked into obedience. (See 2 Cor 2:6-7)

 We can see the process of this diss-fellowship as the Lord taught Matt 18:15-17.  There is a 3 step process: 1) go to the sinner in private – if they will not listen, 2) take to or three witnesses – if they will not listen, Take it to the church – if they will not listen, then they have to be diss-fellowshipped. (see also Gal.6:1, 2 Thess 3:6,14-15)