I Corinthians Chapter 5
The church at Corinth also had a moral problem. Paul wrote to them about the known sexual immorality within the church body. He particularly addressed a known situation where a man was having sexual relations with his stepmother, and the church was accepting of this man’s behavior. The city of Corinth was known for its immorality and Paul was deeply concerned about the church being tolerant of such sins.
This may sound very familiar as we compare it to churches in America today. Perhaps you know of or have heard of a church where sexual immorality runs rampant. The enemy has deceived people into believing that tolerance is the loving order of the day. But this stands in stark contrast to the Word of God that teaches us that God calls us to live holy lives pleasing to Him. And so church discipline is not only the correct thing for the church to practice it is necessary.
Let's Reflect
1. Instead of being so tolerant of the sexual immorality of this man in their church, what heart attitude should they have had?
2. Paul made it very clear that the man committing the known sexual sin should be asked to leave the church. He told them that he had authority to instruct them because he was an apostle of Jesus and his letter to the church served as direct instruction from the Lord Jesus. With the letter of Paul in their hands they were given the same spirit of authority as if he were physically present because Paul knew that his written words were inspired by the Lord Jesus. Paul reminds them that when they assemble (as a church) they are to assemble in the name of whom?
3. What is the goal of asking someone with a known sin to leave the church? See verse 5. When such a person is no longer allowed to enjoy the fellowship of other believers and they have to face their sin (delivered to Satan for destruction of his flesh), they will hopefully realize that - giving themselves over to all of their sinful lusts is not worth the destruction that it causes. Often human nature is that a person must hit the bottom of the barrel of themselves and their sin before they realize the ugliness of it all.
4. Verse 6 mentions the boasting of the church. Perhaps they were boasting that they were such a loving and tolerant congregation. Paul reminds them of the danger of the tolerance of sin. What example does he use to explain the danger?
5. He reminds them of the new life they have been given in Christ Jesus through His sacrificial death. Instead of wallowing in the sins of the past that are like the world, we should be celebrating. In what manner are we to celebrate our new life in Christ?
6. There should be a stark contrast between the church and those who live in the world and practice immorality and all kinds of sins. We have a big problem when our brothers and sisters in Christ are also living in immorality and the church is allowing it to go on and be known in the church. Paul said that God will judge the people of the world for their sins, but the body of Christ must do what when there is someone within the body who refuses to leave their sinful ways? See verse 13.
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