1 Corinthians 5


1 Corinthians 5 addresses a case of sexual immorality in the Corinthian church and the need for church discipline. Written around AD 55 from Ephesus, Paul rebukes the Corinthians for tolerating a man’s blatant sin and failing to act. He emphasizes the church’s call to holiness, the necessity of discipline to protect the community, and the distinction between judging insiders versus outsiders.
Key Sections
Immorality in the Church (5:1–5): Paul is shocked that a man is living with his father’s wife, a sin not even tolerated among pagans. The Corinthians, instead of mourning, are arrogant. Paul instructs them to assemble and deliver the man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, hoping for his spiritual salvation, acting in Christ’s authority.
Purity of the Church (5:6–8): Paul warns that their boasting is dangerous, as a little yeast (sin) spreads through the whole dough (church). As Christ, the Passover lamb, has been sacrificed, the church must remove sin, celebrating with the “unleavened bread” of sincerity and truth.
Judging Within the Church (5:9–13): Paul clarifies his earlier letter, urging not to associate with sexually immoral believers, not unbelievers. The church must judge those inside, expelling the wicked, while God judges outsiders. This maintains the church’s holiness.
Cross-References
  • Immorality and Discipline:
    • Leviticus 18:8: Sin with father’s wife.
    • Matthew 18:15–17: Church discipline process.
    • 2 Corinthians 2:5–8: Restoration after discipline.
  • Yeast and Purity:
    • Exodus 12:15: Remove leaven for Passover.
    • Galatians 5:9: Yeast spreads corruption.
    • 1 Peter 1:16: Be holy as God is holy.
  • Judging Insiders:
    • Romans 16:17: Avoid divisive people.
    • 2 Thessalonians 3:6: Shun disorderly believers.
    • John 17:15–16: In the world, not of it.
  • Christ as Passover:
    • John 1:29: Lamb of God.
    • Hebrews 10:10: Christ’s sacrifice sanctifies.
    • Revelation 5:6: Lamb slain.
Theological Meaning
  • Holiness of the Church: The church, as God’s people, must maintain purity, confronting sin to reflect Christ (5:7; Ephesians 5:27).
  • Church Discipline: Expelling unrepentant sinners protects the community and may lead to their repentance (5:5; 2 Timothy 2:25).
  • Christ’s Sacrifice: As the Passover lamb, Christ’s death purifies believers, calling them to live in sincerity (5:7–8; 1 John 1:7).
  • Judgment Within: The church judges its members’ conduct, not outsiders, to uphold holiness (5:12; 1 Peter 4:17).
  • Sin’s Contagion: Unaddressed sin spreads, corrupting the community, like yeast in dough (5:6; Romans 6:12–13).
  • Restorative Aim: Discipline seeks the sinner’s salvation, not mere punishment (5:5; Galatians 6:1).
Questions and Answers
  1. What is the sin Paul addresses (5:1)?
    A man living with his father’s wife (likely stepmother), a scandalous act even by pagan standards (5:1; Deuteronomy 27:20).
  2. Why are the Corinthians arrogant (5:2)?
    They boast in their tolerance or spiritual status, ignoring the sin’s seriousness (5:2; 1 Corinthians 4:18).
  3. What does “deliver to Satan” mean (5:5)?
    Excommunicating the sinner, exposing them to the world’s consequences, aiming for repentance (5:5; 1 Timothy 1:20).
  4. Why the yeast analogy (5:6–7)?
    Sin, like yeast, spreads and corrupts; the church must purge it to remain pure (5:7; Exodus 12:19).
  5. Why not judge outsiders (5:9–13)?
    The church disciplines its own to maintain holiness; God judges the world (5:13; Deuteronomy 13:5).
  6. How does Christ as Passover apply (5:7)?
    Christ’s sacrifice cleanses believers, calling them to live free of sin’s “leaven” (5:7; Hebrews 9:14).
  7. How does this apply today?
    Confront sin in the church lovingly, pursue holiness, and discipline for restoration, not condemnation (5:11; Ephesians 5:11).
Additional Notes for Readers
  • Historical Context: Written during Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 19:10), this chapter addresses Corinth’s lax morality, influenced by its pagan, sexually permissive culture (1 Corinthians 6:9–11). The sin (5:1) likely involved a stepmother, common in Roman households (Leviticus 18:8). The Corinthians’ arrogance (5:2) may stem from their pride in spiritual gifts or tolerance (1 Corinthians 1:5–7). Church discipline (5:5) was a Jewish practice adapted for the church (Deuteronomy 17:7).
  • Cultural Questions: “Father’s wife” (5:1) reflects Roman family structures, not biological incest (Acts 18:1–3). “Deliver to Satan” (5:5) meant exclusion from the church’s protection, not literal demonic harm (Job 2:6). The Passover imagery (5:7) resonated with Jewish believers in Corinth (Acts 18:8). Judging insiders (5:12) countered Corinth’s litigious culture, where disputes went to secular courts (1 Corinthians 6:1). Associating with unbelievers (5:10) was unavoidable in Corinth’s diverse city (Acts 17:16–17).
  • Application: 1 Corinthians 5 calls believers to uphold the church’s holiness by addressing sin with humility and love, aiming for restoration. It challenges tolerance of blatant sin, urging purity and accountability in community life, reflecting Christ’s sacrifice in a sinful world (2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 2:12).
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