1 Corinthians 5:1
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
The apostle Paul doesn't waste any time getting to the next matter. After bringing the ultimatum on the Corinthians that he's either coming in the "spirit of meekness" or "with a rod," he brings up the indictment of fornication against them. This verse is a sad reality, because we need to remember that this is referring to lifestyle choices of God's saints (see 1:2). Not only is this fornication made known publicly, but it is "reported commonly." It's the talk of the town! No wonder, because even the Gentiles that don't have the Law, when they do by nature the things contained in the Law, they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another (Rom 2:14-15). In other words, the secular population knew that this action was wrong and had no qualm in proclaiming it, especially because a Christian was doing it.
Do we see that sort of thing today? With deep sadness, I say yes. There are many who profess Christianity that act in ways are not "worthy of the vocation" they are called to (Eph 4:1). There are many who profess Christianity that aren't bothering to get to know their Lord and Savior at all, but rather are still living their lives the way they want to, according to the ways of the world, which at the base is according to Satan (Eph 2:2). We all start there as we all are born in Adam positionally (Rom 3:10, 23, 5:12, Eph 2:3, 1 Cor 15:22). But at the exact moment when one puts their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary for their sin, and that is the only thing that can atone for their sin, that person is no longer in Adam, they are now in Christ. The believer is translated in the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col 1:12-14) and is now partaker of all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ (Eph 1:3). If only believers would realize the love of God through Christ Jesus, they would all desire to live in a way that would please God (Titus 2:11-14).
Another thing to consider is that people have the conscientious thought that this sort of fornication is absolutely wrong. Why? Because God is real and there is a moral standard. God made His standard of righteousness known to the entire world through creation and later the Law (Rom 1:18-20, Gal 3:15-19). So even though people may choose to reject God, God is still real and there is still a moral standard. Why then should any Christian want to live in the ways of the world, knowing that living according to the flesh produces death, both in the Christian, and the unbelievers that observe that behavior (Rom 6, really the whole chapter but focus on verses 20-23). We should not behave in such a way to discourage others from the faith, especially those that believe (Rom 14). This is especially because we know the dichotomy God presents as to where all people will be resurrected: Heaven or Hell. Believers go to Heaven. Unbelievers go to Hell. It's that simple. Knowing God's love for us, shouldn't we desire all mankind to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4)? Let us count ourselves dead to sin and no longer walk in the flesh, but in the Spirit (Gal 5:16-26). Let us walk worthy of the calling of saints in Christ.
Something to point out in the Greek is that the word "fornication" is translated from porneia. I shouldn't have to tell anyone what word in the English we get from that. Another reason to stay away from all of that sort of thing entirely for any believer. If anyone is struggling with it though, especially coming out of unbelief and into sainthood through faith in Jesus Christ and His shed blood, ask for help. First ask of God, because He is the one who is able, then find other true believers that will bear the burden with you (Gal 6:1-2). Upon accepting faith in the shed blood of Christ, the "old man" is dead, and you are free from any behavior that doesn't honor God, yet we still will struggle against it until God completely frees us from the body of this death (Rom 7). Through God and His grace, we can bring even these bodies of death unto subjection to Christ.
1 Corinthians 5:2
And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
If verse 1 wasn't bad enough, this should really make us all cringe. Not only was someone committing fornication with his mother or step-mother, but other believers thought it was good. At best they chose not to stand against this act, but in reality, not standing against something known to be bad is also accepting that same thing. The one committing the act is still within the church at Corinth and apparently not chastised for the deed.
Instead of accepting this individual and blowing off what he had done as nothing bad, or worse as the language indicates, that the church embraced this individual along with his action, the saints in Corinth needed to confront him that he was not walking according to the Spirit. They should have been "mourning" instead of being puffed up. They should have lovingly came to this individual and asked him his reasoning for his action, then backed up what conduct a saint should have according to God (Eph 5:1-7, Rom 16:1-2). We're going to see in a few verses what ought to have been done, though I could reference several passages on what a Christian's conduct ought to be.
It may be hard to spot in today's English, so I wanted to point out the subjunctive verb in this verse. The one that "hath done this deed might be taken away from among you." It is indicating the choice or possibility, and the context certainly indicates that it would be the right thing to do. Does that mean to cast out forever? Of course not. Other places in scripture we read of people who are misbehaving and won't listen to reason. Paul says he delivered them over to Satan so that they would learn not to blaspheme (1 Tim 1:20). Sometimes people need a hard lesson to learn what is right. I wish we could all listen to words and reason, but we all need some "tough love" from time to time to keep us on the path of true Christian living. True believers in Christ will sorrow to repentance after a godly manner (2 Cor 7:8-9), and at that time they should be welcomed back with open arms.
1 Corinthians 5:3
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
In these next three verses we're going to see the apostle Paul declare the very thing I mentioned in the verse above. This wayward believer needs some tough love to come back to walk in the Spirit. So, due to all the common reports of this man, Paul uses his God-given authority as the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom 11:13) to declare judgment with this person (what should be done for the deed, not judgment for sin and death). Even being away from them physically, this letter would suffice as him being present, giving his approval for the action to be taken to remove this wayward believer from among the others of the Corinthian church.
1 Corinthians 5:4
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Wow, what a statement of authority! The name of the Lord Jesus, the saints gathered together with the spirit of the apostle Paul, and the power (ability - Greek dunamis) of Christ. Remember that part of the Law where 2 or 3 are gathered in the name of Christ that He would be in the midst also (Matt 18:18-20)? He was talking of authority there, not that there needs to be 2 or 3 to gather in prayer about anything, because everyone is encouraged to pray without ceasing about anything on their heart (1 Thess 5:17, Phil 4:6). I've heard far too many Christians think that their prayers are only answered when 2 or more are gathered in the name of Jesus. We need to let God's word say what it says to understand it, and as I say, if it comes to be known that one's theology doesn't match what is in the bible, we need to ask who is the one in error? God or us? Clearly we should match our theology to what God says. So let Him say what He says, and let's be unified in mind and obedience (Eph 4:1-6).
Note another thing going on here. The people, who are believers, are gathering together with the spirit of Paul because Paul is not bodily present. Paul has given them his authority through this letter to perform the deed mentioned in verse 5 for the wayward saint. However, Paul writes one more thing that we need to bear in mind: the power or ability of Jesus Christ. Why would he need to mention that? Because this church is "puffed up" as we read in verse 2. They are embracing this fornication and are conducting themselves carnally (1 Cor 3:3). They need help, and God is willing to provide it for the good of all. Paul recognized the infirmity of their flesh and reminds them of a vital truth. They have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16) and they belong to Christ (1 Cor 3:23). Therefore, they can do the right thing through the power of Christ and remove the fornicator from them instead of embracing that behavior any longer.
1 Corinthians 5:5
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
This may sound harsh at the beginning, but don't forget who God is. He isn't one that is out to get people, but much rather wants them to do what's right. God's will, or desire, is very clear in several verses. Here are a few:
1Thess 4:1-5
1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God
1 Thess 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Tim 2:1-4
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
God wants what is best for His children, who are all believers in what God has done for them on the cross of Calvary as the only atonement for their sin.
We see examples of this kind of corrective action taken every day. If there are children that are beginning to stray from what is right according to their parents, and the parents are diligent about raising their children, what do the parents do? They correct the child's behavior. What if the child is getting more unruly? The discipline gets harsher until the child comes back to obedience.
This doesn't just apply to children, though. We have plenty of laws for adults as well. The worse the perpetration, the worse the punishment. Why? To bring people back into right behavior. This is not some "social construct," but much rather a reaction to the moral standard of almighty God. As Christians, we realize that police and government are a God-given institution, and we are to pray for them constantly as referenced above in 1 Tim 2:1-2. We pay taxes for the purposes of having these services (Romans 13:1-8). God has them in place in order to administer discipline until the appointed time when He calls His church, the Body of Christ, out of the earth to enact His wrath (1 Thess 4:16-18, 2 Thess 1:6-10, Titus 2:13), etc.
The phrase "deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh" should not be separated from the rest of the verse, which is the natural result of living according to Satan. "That the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." What naturally happens when the body is in trouble for a believer? They call out to God. This body falling apart should always bring the believer closer to God, as constant prayer just makes sense. I went through an awful digestive disorder for many years, and I praise God for that because my relationship with Him through Jesus Christ has flourished. It took a while for my mind to turn around and start praising him. I wrestled with the though how the apostle Paul could say "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." I understand now, but it was a lesson I needed to learn. One of God's attributes is to chasten those that He loves (Heb 12:6, Rev 3:19), because it is for their good.
Even with the chastising, we still have a choice, don't we? We see that in the subjunctive verb that the spirit might be saved. Many people ask why bad things happen to good people, though the question assumes people are good. God says there are none that are good on their own, and all are sinners (Rom 3:10, 23), which is why everyone needs a Savior. At the moment of belief in the shed blood of Jesus Christ to atone for sin, the believer becomes blameless before God in Christ (Eph 1:4). Now then, "bad" things happen on account of two things: 1) We are all born in Adam and have a sin nature. Our bodies fall apart because of that sin nature and through sin comes death (Rom 5:12). 2) Our bodies are subjected to destruction for chastisement and to bring us to closer relationship with our God. No one wants to be sick or die, but it's all too easy to forget to be absent from this body of death is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor 5:8), and that the sufferings of this present world won't compare to how awesome it will be in Heaven with God (Rom 8:18). Heavenly life is promised to all believers through the Spirit of God (Eph 1:13-14), so keep looking up!
Having trouble with something? Bring it to the Lord and thank Him for the result before you even know what it is (Phil 4:6). Hindsight will allow us to see the good that God works in us, even if we can't see it right away.
1 Corinthians 5:6
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
Paul is quick to go for further reason to remove the fornicator from the presence of the church. The actions of sin are contagious. If they accept one fornicator now, it won't be long before other believers begin to do the same. Acceptance of ungodly behavior will encourage unbelievers to continue in the ungodly behavior and call the believers hypocrites. It also may deter the unbeliever from embracing the gospel of the grace of God due to the shaky testimony of the believers. See how that propagates in a hurry? That's why we see sin and false doctrine likened to leaven several times in the scriptures. It only takes a little bit to make a big influence.
So for believers, we should desire to get to know the truth of God and to live after the way He desires because of His grace that He's shown us in Christ. It is because of His love and grace, we should understand that we ought not to partake in any sinful behavior in this present world, and fix our hearts on things above, especially on that glorious day of His appearing to call us home to Heaven (Phil 3:20-21, Titus 2:11-14).
1 Corinthians 5:7
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Here is one of many calls to the faith that the apostle Paul makes As faithful in Christ we are a new creature (2 Cor 5:17). So, we ought to put off the old man and put on Christ (Eph 4:21-24). The old nature is very much alive and will struggle against the things of the Spirit (Rom 7, Gal 5:17). However, because of the atoning work of Christ, putting our faith in that finished work to save us from sin and death allows that sin nature to be rendered inert (Rom 6:6 - destroyed in the KJV has the idea of being idle, Greek katargeo). But there lies the choice again, doesn't it?
Note carefully the language here. Ye may be a new lump. That's in the subjunctive once more, but the powerful reality comes right after. Ye are unleavened. That's who you are as a believer in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Leaven in this context is talking about sin as we can see in the previous verses. Ye are unleavened. As part of the Body of Christ, one of the spiritual blessings we enjoy is to be holy and without blame before God in love (Eph 1:4). Our identity is no longer a sinner. We are no longer positionally in Adam and subject to death (1 Cor 15:22a). No, in the moment of belief in Jesus' shed blood as the atonement for sin and death, we are baptized in the Holy Spirit to the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13). In that moment we are translated from death to life (1 Cor 15:22b), from the power of darkness to the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col 1:13). This is what Christ did for us as He was our passover. Death passed over those believers in Israel during the plague of the first born in Egypt (Ex 12:1-30). So as it passed over them at that time, and they were given the feast of the Passover to remember, death in this dispensation will pass over all those that believe God sent Jesus to save them from their sin and they can in no wise earn their own way to Heaven.
Because we are made new in Christ, God tells us to purge out the old nature. Purge out sinful behavior. Here He says to purge out the "old leaven," because of the context having leaven personifying sin. It is His grace that teaches us to live a godly life and purge out ungodliness (Titus 2:11-14). Let us press on toward the mark of this high calling of being God's saints (Phil 3:14).
1 Corinthians 5:8
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
As we just had the analogy of the Passover feast introduced in the last verse, the apostle expands on it here. One of the requirements of Israel is that they were to get rid of all the leaven in their houses for the feast (Ex 12:15). Having this explanation here in 1 Corinthians 5, we see that it was to be a picture of getting rid of all ungodliness and all sinful behavior. We should understand that we should "keep the feast" with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. We should understand who we are in Christ, so we know what our position is and live accordingly. I intentionally used the word "should" several times there. It is subjunctive; a choice. God tells us plainly, but He didn't make robots.
God made men and women with a free will, and it's up to every individual to choose how they want to live their lives. Would you like to live in an ungodly way and reap the wages of sin, which is death? Or would you like to purge out the old leaven of malice and wickedness, live according to God's grace and our your identity as a saint of God, and reap the wages of obedience, which is righteousness (Rom 6:15-23)? Seems like a pretty easy choice, doesn't it?
1 Corinthians 5:9
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
Though this is 1 Corinthians, it appears that the apostle Paul wrote to this church before. However, he could also be referring to what he just said in the verses 1-5 of this chapter. I would side with the latter, because he established this point and is now going to expound on the idea for the rest of the chapter.
It may be of note that the Greek word for "company" here is synanamígnymi. That is quite the mouth full, but it has the literal idea of mixing up with (syn = together with, ana = up, mignymi = mix). Paul goes over this concept again in 2 Corinthians 6, that saints should not be mixed up with unbelievers in behavior.
Interestingly, the word "an" should be "the" as the definite article appears in the Greek.
1 Corinthians 5:10
Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
It's because of this verse that I made my point in verse 9, that Paul is expanding on what he has said so far in this chapter. He established that he wrote to them not to get mixed up with fornicators. As saints, it should be clear that we should not use our bodies in fornication (1 Thess 4:1-8), but the Corinthian saints were behaving in such a way that the unbelieving Gentiles would never consider it (verse 1). God knows how our minds will take things to the extreme, so He inspired Paul to write these words in verses 9 and 10. We may think, "Don't keep company with fornicators? How do we know which ones are fornicators? Where can we go to keep away from them?"
Not keeping company with sinners at all times is simply not possible in this world; we will run into those who are "dead in trespasses and sins" during the course of life, and every saint would do well to remember where we came from (Eph 2:1-3). If we were to stay away from sin completely, then that means we're not in this world. Instead, God guides our minds gently back to the reality of what He is telling us, that as saints we should in no wise partake in this behavior. If some do practice fornication, then the church at large should not associate with the brother or sister of faith in order to help them see their error and change.
It may help the reader to see the literal Greek of this verse. It says "Not all the fornicators of this the world, or the covetous, and extortioners, or idolaters, since then you ought to go out of the world." Based on the context, the translators worded it the way they did, but the idea should be clear. If you're a saint, you shouldn't be behaving like a sinner. Also, if you're a saint, there will always be sin somewhere nearby because of Adam's transgression in the Garden of Eden. God's will is that all mankind be saved and know the truth (1 Tim 2:4), so we ought to show those who are lost in sin what the difference of being a saint is. Concisely, it's this: Christ in us, the hope of glory (Col 1:27). We are free from sin the moment we trust in the shed blood of Jesus Christ as our atoning sacrifice. After that moment, every saint can use their bodies as instruments to righteousness instead of instruments to sin, but the choice will be up to each saint until the day we're all taken up to glory (Rom 6-7, 1 Thess 4:16-17).
1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
I already alluded to this in the comments on the previous verse, but Paul writes even firmer words than I under the inspiration of God. Please note well that God is talking about a saint here. This is a saved individual choosing to live in sin. If we encounter someone like that, we should not even eat with them. Of course, this doesn't give us license to be childish about the issue, but rather act in a way to chastise the wayward saint back to walking worthy of the vocation wherewith they have been called.
The church at large should really pay attention to this chapter, as there is far too much that is "tolerated" in this day we're living in. As Paul told us, a little leaven leavens the whole lump (verse 6). Allowing some sin to exist within the local church will propagate fast and contaminate the testimony of that church quickly. Let's all do our part to edify the local assemblies we are apart of to keep our eyes on the mark of our high calling, so we may be walk worthy of being a saint (Phil 3:14-16, Eph 4:1-3).
1 Corinthians 5:12
For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
To give credence to the previous verse and how we are to handle wayward saints, we're presented with an order we should understand, but God documents it for us. We can judge those "within" while it is superfluous to judge those "without." What is God talking about here? Those that are "in Christ" are "within" and those that are not "in Christ" are "without". It's really as simple as that, and will be made clear in the next verse. Since the saints have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), we may judge whether or not behavior is sinful and/or detrimental to our testimony. We are one body (Eph 4:4), and should help the members of that body which are in need (1 Cor 12:12-27).
Then there are those that are "without." These are the ones who are still dead in trespasses and sins. They are still in rebellion against God and are called the "children of disobedience" (Eph 2:2). Are we to judge the sinner and execute wrath? Of course not. That's God's job, and He reminds us that vengeance belongs to Him (Rom 12:19, Heb 10:30, Deut 32:35). So let God take care of that part of judgment.
Now, we know what behavior we out to be conducting as saints, so long as we continue in His word. God doesn't keep it secret, so we should do our diligence and get to know our Savior and what it means to be His saint. Knowing how we ought to behave based on scripture will help us to share the truth in love and help bear the burdens of our brothers and sisters in faith in order to restore them (Gal 6:1-2).
1 Corinthians 5:13
But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Again, vengeance belongs to God, so let Him handle those that are rejecting His free offer of eternal life. He says this in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
It will be a bittersweet day when God calls us home. Bitter because there will be friends and family who choose to reject the free gift of God's grace, eternal life through Jesus Christ, and they will suffer an eternity apart from God. Sweet, because all of God's saints in the church, which is the Body of Christ, will be in the very presence of God. We will be made incorruptible and immortal in the image of Christ (1 Cor 15:50-52, Phil 3:20-21).
With that in mind, it should inspire us to keep sharing the truth of God's word and living in such a way that others see the difference of Christ in us. We don't know when Jesus Christ will call home His church to be with Him in the clouds (1 Thess 4:16-17), and we aren't in the place to judge the hearts of mankind where they are at with their decision of what to do with God's offer of salvation through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, so we ought then to redeem the time, because the days are evil (Eph 5:15-16), and be wise, knowing what the will of the Lord is (Eph 5:17). Let us conduct ourselves worthy of that vocation we've been called to, and glorify our God and Savior in every word, thought, and deed.
Should a saint, or one posing as a saint, choose to live in a worldly fashion within the local assembly, God tells us not to get mixed up with that behavior and "cast them out." This will do one of two things: 1) expose the wolf in sheep's clothing, that they aren't truly a believer, 2) cause a great deal of inner struggle for the believer as they desire to live carnally instead of according to the Spirit, eventually culminating in godly sorrow which will lead to repentance. Either way the testimony of a Christian would remain untarnished, and the Body of Christ is edified.
A look at the Greek is quite interesting here in regard to the latter half of the verse. The command to expel is there, but it literally says "expel the evil Iadjective singular) out of yourselves," but then there is a 3rd person plural pronoun after all of that (auton). To me, this could be translated as "expel the evil of them out from among you," which would then be a blanket statement for all sinful behavior among those in the local assembly. That makes sense, since God is concerned with all sin, even though He is focusing on a particular atrocity of fornication in this chapter. He did cover this back in verses 9-11, where we understand that we can't escape sin in this world, but will rather be surrounded by it until Jesus calls us home. Knowing that, we should remain spotless inside the Church, expelling evil behavior, that others may see the light and truth and live at it behooves saints.
