1 Corinthians 5 -- Take Care To Read The ENTIRE Chapter

Paul addresses a particular instance of recurring sin by a church member and the church’s toleration of that sin.  Not only do they tolerate it, but they also are proud of their open-mindedness in tolerating it!  Paul gives guidance for church discipline, saying that such tolerance should never occur, because, like yeast, a little sin will soon spread to cause major problems in the church.  Tolerating that sin had also caused the church to be disgraced in the eyes of non-believers, too!

The man being discussed was to be “handed over to Satan”.  My commentary says this “does not mean to deprive him of salvation, since it is not the church that grants salvation to begin with.  When a Christian is in fellowship with the Lord and with the local church, he enjoys a special protection from Satan.  But when he is out of fellowship with God and excommunicated from the local church, he is fair game for the enemy.  God could permit Satan to attack the offender’s body so that the sinning believer would repent and return to the Lord.”

This is not an official sanction to set up “pious police out to catch a criminal”, it said.  “Rather it is a group of brokenhearted brothers and sisters seeking to restore an erring member of the family. 

While we may be tempted to think, “Whew!  I’m glad we don’t have any incest like he mentioned going on in our church,” it’s worth an extra look at verse 12, where Paul says, “You must not associate with those who call themselves believers in Christ but who:

1)      Sin sexually

2)      Or are greedy

3)      Or worship idols

4)      Or abuse others with words

5)      Or get drunk

6)      Or cheat people.”

WOW!

Father God, help us to remember that You have said there is not to be even a hint of immorality among us.  It’s not because we want the world to think we are better than them, but because it impedes our relationship with You and with other Christians.  Help us to see that any type of sin can give Satan a foothold, and help us not to defame Your Great Name by open-mindedness about it among believers in Christ.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford