1 Corinthians 5 Explained – Verse by Verse Commentary

The True Meaning of 1 Corinthians 5

The First Epistle to the Corinthians was written by the Apostle Paul, a former persecutor of the early Christian church who experienced a dramatic conversion and became one of the most influential figures in the spread of Christianity. Paul addresses a concerning issue within the Corinthian church in this chapter, providing guidance on how to handle a case of sexual immorality and emphasizing the importance of maintaining moral purity within the community of believers.

Paul’s words in this chapter echo the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing the need for the church to uphold high standards of conduct and to take appropriate action when members stray from the path of righteousness. He reminds the Corinthians that they are called to be a holy people, set apart from the world, and that their actions have consequences not only for themselves but for the entire community. Paul calls the church to navigate the delicate balance between compassion and discipline, confronting sin and restoring the sinner as we delve into this chapter. His guidance serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the church and the need for believers to hold one another accountable in love.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5

The scripture in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 lays out a situation where there is a blatant case of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church. The passage starts by stating that there is a report of sexual immorality among them, something that even the pagans would find reprehensible. The specific offense mentioned here is that a man is in a sexual relationship with his stepmother, which was not only a violation of the Jewish law but also taboo in Roman culture. This act was so egregious that it was not even heard of among the pagans.

The Apostle Paul, in writing this letter to the Corinthian church, expresses his shock and disappointment that such a scandalous sin was occurring within the community of believers. He emphasizes the severity of the situation, calling for immediate action to address it. Paul instructs the Corinthians to remove the individual who committed this sin from among them, a form of church discipline known as excommunication. This may seem harsh, but the purpose behind this action is to protect the integrity of the church and demonstrate that sin cannot be tolerated within the body of Christ.

This passage serves as a reminder to the believers that living in sin not only harms the individual but also has repercussions on the entire community. It underscores the importance of maintaining purity and holiness within the church and dealing decisively with sin when it arises. Paul’s strong stance on confronting sin within the church aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the need for repentance and forgiveness but also for accountability and righteousness.

The case presented in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 highlights the universal truth that sin, if left unchecked, can spread like leaven within a community. This imagery of leaven is used by Paul to illustrate how a little bit of sin can permeate and corrupt the entire body if not dealt with promptly and firmly. Throughout the Bible, leaven is often used symbolically to represent sin or corruption (Matthew 16:6, Galatians 5:9), underscoring the need for believers to guard against the influence of sin in their lives. Paul’s instructions to the Corinthian church in dealing with the situation of sexual immorality ultimately serve as a timeless reminder for the church today. It reminds believers of the importance of confronting sin in a spirit of love and restoration, while also upholding the standards of holiness and righteousness set forth by God. The church is called to be a community that reflects the character of Christ, and addressing sin in a biblically faithful manner is crucial to maintaining the purity and witness of the church in the world.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8

The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian church in the passage of 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, addressing the issue of immorality and the need for discipline within the body of believers. Let’s break down the verse into its important sections:

1. “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” – Paul starts by admonishing the Corinthians for their pride and boasting, which might have led them to overlook the sin present in their community. The analogy of leaven here refers to sin spreading and corrupting the entire congregation if left unchecked. This serves as a warning to the church to deal with sin promptly and decisively, as it can have a pervasive and detrimental effect on the community.

2. “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.” – Here, Paul urges the Corinthian believers to rid themselves of the sinful practices present among them. The reference to leaven being cleansed out parallels the idea of repentance and sanctification in the life of a believer. They can become a new lump, symbolizing purity and holiness, by removing the old leaven of sin. The mention of Christ as the Passover lamb points to His sacrificial death, which provides forgiveness of sins for believers and sets them apart as a holy people.

3. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil.” – Paul encourages the Corinthian church to celebrate their new life in Christ by living in a manner that is free from the influence of sin. The contrast between old leaven (malice and evil) and unleavened bread (sincerity and truth) underscores the call to live a life of integrity and righteousness. This celebration is not meant to be just a symbolic ritual but a reflection of their transformed lives as followers of Christ. Paul’s words in this passage were directed towards a specific issue in the Corinthian church – the presence of a man who was engaged in a sexual relationship with his father’s wife. Paul addresses the seriousness of this sin and the church’s failure to deal with it promptly. The importance of maintaining holiness within the body of believers is emphasized throughout this passage and the entire chapter. Paul warns the Galatian church in Galatians 5:9 that “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”” This echoes the sentiment expressed in 1 Corinthians 5:6 about the pervasive nature of sin and the need to address it decisively. Additionally, the concept of cleansing out the old leaven aligns with verses like 1 John 1:9, which reassures believers that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This highlights the importance of repentance and forgiveness in maintaining a pure and holy walk with God.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13

The Apostle Paul is addressing the issue of immorality within the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. Let’s break down the verse into important sections:

1. **Verse 9 – “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. Paul is referring to a previous letter he wrote to the Corinthians in which he advised them not to associate with sexually immoral individuals. This instruction is grounded in the Old Testament principles of holiness and purity. Leviticus 18:20 warns against engaging in sexual relations with someone else’s spouse, and in Leviticus 20:10, the penalty for adultery is death. Paul is emphasizing the importance of maintaining moral purity within the church community by reiterating this command.

2. Verse 10 – “But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”

Paul’s message in this section is clear: believers should not associate with those claiming to be Christians yet continue to live in sin. Here the Apostle is highlighting the severity of sin within the church. This echoes Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 18:15-17 on how to address sin within the body of believers. Indulging in immorality, greed, idolatry, slander, drunkenness, or swindling without repentance is incompatible with a genuine faith in Christ. The act of “not even eating with such people” was a significant social marker in ancient cultures, signifying close association and fellowship. This separation was meant to serve as a form of discipline and also to protect the purity and integrity of the church.

1. Verse 11 – “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?”

Here, Paul distinguishes between the responsibility of judging those inside and outside the church. While believers have a responsibility to uphold moral standards within the church community, they are not called to judge or condemn those outside the church. This aligns with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:1-5 where He cautions against hypocrisy in judgment and encourages self-examination before addressing the faults of others.

1. **Verse 12 – “God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked person from among you. Paul quotes from Deuteronomy 17:7 in this concluding section, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity within the church by addressing and disciplining sin. The act of expelling the immoral person from the community serves as a form of discipline aimed at restoration and protection. This act is not for condemnation but for the ultimate good of the individual and the church as a whole. It also reflects the idea of church discipline outlined by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-20, with the goal of reconciliation and restoration of the one who has strayed. These verses in 1 Corinthians 5 provide essential guidance on how to address sin within the church community, stressing the importance of upholding moral standards, discipline, and restoration. It underscores the responsibility of believers to maintain holiness within the body of Christ while showing grace and love towards those outside the faith. Paul’s words serve as a timeless reminder of the need for a balance between accountability and compassion in handling issues of sin within the church.

After 1 Corinthians 5

The apostle Paul had heard troubling news about the church in Corinth. They had allowed a man who was living in sexual immorality to remain in their fellowship. Paul sternly rebuked them for this, reminding them that they must not associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet continues in such sin. He urged them to expel the immoral man from their community, for the sake of the church’s purity and witness. Paul made it clear that the church’s responsibility did not end there as the chapter drew to a close. They must also judge those within their own fellowship, not those outside it. For it is God who will judge those outside the church. This was a sobering reminder of the high standards to which the people of God are called. The church in Corinth had much work to do in order to restore its holiness and honor the Lord.