1 Corinthians 5 Study Bible

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Summary

Immorality Rebuked

1 Corinthians 5 issues a strong call for moral integrity within the church, demanding vigilance against sin and complacency. Paul’s disciplinary instructions challenge us to hold each other accountable, recognizing that a community's spiritual health can be jeopardized by the unaddressed sins of individuals. The metaphor of leaven reminds us of our call to purity, sincerity, and truth, living as the new creation in Christ. While we live in the world, we are not to adopt its moral standards, but embody the values of God's kingdom, applying judgement appropriately within and outside the church.

Verses 1-5: Confronting Immorality within the Church

Paul brings up a reported case of immorality in the Corinthian church, where a man has his father's wife. Rather than mourning and removing the guilty person, the community is proud. Paul, though absent in body but present in spirit, has already passed judgment. He instructs the church to deliver the man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

Verses 6-8: The Leaven Illustration

Paul warns the Corinthians that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. He urges them to clean out the old leaven, so they may be a new lump, as they are unleavened. Using the metaphor of the Passover, Paul encourages the believers to celebrate the feast not with old leaven or leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Verses 9-13: Judgment Inside and Outside the Church

Paul clarifies his previous instruction about not associating with sexually immoral people. He meant not the immoral people of the world, or the greedy, swindlers, or idolaters, else the Corinthians would need to exit the world. Instead, he instructs them not to associate with anyone bearing the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. He asserts that it isn't their place to judge outsiders, but they are to judge those within the church. God will judge those outside, and they must remove the evil person from among them.

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul addresses a severe case of immorality within the Corinthian church. He reprimands the Corinthians for their complacency and prescribes strict church discipline. Using the metaphor of leaven, Paul exhorts the believers to moral purity. He also clarifies the church's role in judging its members and dealing with the outside world.

Teaching Points

The Problem of Immorality
Paul confronts the Corinthian church about a case of sexual immorality that is not even tolerated among pagans: A man has his father’s wife (1 Corinthians 5:1). This highlights the severity of the sin and the need for immediate action.

The Call for Mourning and Action
Paul criticizes the Corinthians for their arrogance and calls them to mourn over the sin: And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and removed from your fellowship the man who did this? (1 Corinthians 5:2). This emphasizes the need for a humble and repentant attitude towards sin.

The Role of Church Discipline
Paul instructs the church to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:5). This underscores the purpose of church discipline: restoration and salvation.

The Influence of Sin
Paul uses the metaphor of leaven to illustrate how sin can spread: A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough (1 Corinthians 5:6). This teaches the importance of addressing sin before it affects the entire community.

The Call to Purity
Paul reminds the Corinthians of their identity in Christ, urging them to keep the festival, not with the old leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:8). This calls believers to live in purity and truth.

Practical Applications

Examine Personal and Community Holiness
Regularly assess both personal and communal life for areas where sin may be taking root and address them promptly.

Cultivate a Spirit of Humility and Repentance
Approach sin with a heart of mourning and a desire for restoration, rather than pride or indifference.

Implement Church Discipline with Love
When necessary, practice church discipline with the goal of restoration and the spiritual well-being of the individual and the community.

Guard Against the Spread of Sin
Be vigilant in identifying and addressing sin to prevent it from influencing others within the community.

Live Out Your Identity in Christ
Embrace and live out the purity and truth that comes from being a new creation in Christ.

People

1. Paul
The author of the letter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. He writes to the Corinthian church to address issues of immorality and to provide guidance on how to handle such matters within the church community.

2. The Man Living in Sin
This refers to the individual within the Corinthian church who is engaged in an immoral relationship with his father's wife. Paul specifically calls out this behavior as unacceptable and instructs the church to take disciplinary action. The Greek term used here for "immorality" is "πορνεία" (porneia), which encompasses various forms of sexual immorality.

3. The Church at Corinth
While not a single person, the church community is addressed collectively. Paul admonishes them for their pride and failure to address the sin in their midst, urging them to remove the immoral person from their fellowship to maintain the purity of the church.

4. Christ, Our Passover Lamb
Paul refers to Jesus Christ metaphorically as the Passover Lamb who has been sacrificed. This reference underscores the call for purity and holiness within the church, drawing on the imagery of the Passover in the Hebrew tradition, where the lamb's blood signified deliverance and sanctification.

Places

1. Corinth
The letter is addressed to the church in Corinth, a major city in ancient Greece known for its wealth and moral challenges. The city was a significant cultural and commercial hub, which influenced the issues Paul addresses in the letter. The Greek root of the name "Corinth" (Κόρινθος, Korinthos) reflects its historical and geographical significance.

2. The Church
While not a physical location, the "church" in Corinth is a central focus. It represents the community of believers who are called to live according to Christian teachings amidst a secular environment. The Greek term for church, "ἐκκλησία" (ekklesia), means "assembly" or "gathering," highlighting the communal aspect of the faith.

Events

1. Report of Immorality (1 Corinthians 5:1)
Paul addresses a report of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church, specifically mentioning a man having relations with his father's wife. The Greek term used here for "sexual immorality" is "πορνεία" (porneia), indicating a broad range of illicit sexual activities.

2. Arrogance of the Church (1 Corinthians 5:2)
Paul criticizes the church for being arrogant instead of mourning over the sin. He emphasizes that they should have removed the man from their fellowship. The Greek word "φυσιόω" (physioō) is used for "arrogant," suggesting a sense of being puffed up or proud.

3. Paul's Judgment (1 Corinthians 5:3-5)
Although absent in body, Paul declares that he has already judged the man as if he were present. He instructs the church to deliver the man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved. The phrase "deliver to Satan" implies a form of excommunication or handing over to the realm outside the church's protection.

4. The Leaven Metaphor (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)
Paul uses the metaphor of leaven to describe how a little sin can affect the whole community. He urges the church to cleanse out the old leaven, symbolizing sin, to become a new, unleavened batch. The Greek word "ζύμη" (zymē) for "leaven" is often used metaphorically in the New Testament to represent corruption or sin.

5. Prohibition of Association (1 Corinthians 5:9-11)
Paul clarifies a previous letter, instructing the Corinthians not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a swindler. The Greek term "συναναμίγνυμι" (synanamignymi) means to mix or associate closely.

6. Judgment Within the Church (1 Corinthians 5:12-13)
Paul distinguishes between judging those inside the church and those outside. He emphasizes that God judges those outside, while the church is responsible for judging its members. He concludes with the directive to "Expel the wicked man from among you," reinforcing the need for church discipline. The Greek word "ἐξαιρέω" (exaireō) is used for "expel," meaning to remove or take out.

Connections to Additional Scriptures

Matthew 18:15-17
Jesus' instructions on dealing with sin within the church community.

Galatians 6:1
The call to restore a sinner gently, while being cautious of one's own vulnerability to sin.

Hebrews 12:14
The exhortation to pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

Prayer Points

Pray for a heart that grieves over sin and seeks God's holiness.

Ask for wisdom and courage for church leaders to implement discipline in a loving and restorative manner.

Seek God's protection over the community from the spread of sin and for strength to live in purity and truth.

Pray for individuals who are struggling with sin, that they may find repentance and restoration in Christ.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the church today deal with blatant immorality within its ranks?

2. What lessons can we learn from Paul's response to the situation in Corinth?

3. How can we apply the principle of not tolerating "a little leaven" in our personal lives?

4. How does the metaphor of leaven speak to you in maintaining your personal moral integrity?

5. How does this chapter inform the way we approach discipline within the church?

6. How do you reconcile the necessity of judgement within the church with the teaching to "not judge"?

7. What can we learn from this chapter about the Christian's relationship with non-believers?

8. How can we distinguish between judging people within and outside the church in modern day living?

9. How does Paul's instruction about not associating with immoral believers challenge you in your personal relationships?

10. How can we effectively balance grace and discipline in a Christian community?

11. What does it mean to celebrate the feast with "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth"?

12. How does this chapter guide us in addressing the challenge of maintaining the purity of the church in a morally lax society?

13. How does the command to "remove the evil person from among you" apply to modern church settings?

14. How should we respond when a Christian brother or sister continues in blatant sin?

15. How does the balance between church judgement and God's judgement manifest in your church's teachings?

16. How can we cultivate an environment of accountability, correction, and restoration within our Christian community?

17. How does this chapter inform our approach to dealing with serious sins within our Christian circles?

18. In what ways can we ensure that the church remains 'unleavened' in a world filled with 'leaven'?

19. How does Paul's approach to handling immorality in the church inform your approach to similar situations in your life?

20. What implications does Paul's exhortation have for maintaining personal holiness within the body of believers?

Topics

1. Immorality in the Church
The chapter begins with Paul addressing a case of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church. He states, "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife" (1 Corinthians 5:1). The Greek term used here for "sexual immorality" is "πορνεία" (porneia), which broadly refers to illicit sexual conduct.

2. Pride and Tolerance of Sin
Paul criticizes the Corinthians for their arrogance and tolerance of this sin, saying, "And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and removed from your fellowship the man who did this?" (1 Corinthians 5:2). The Greek word for "proud" is "πεφυσιωμένοι" (pephysiōmenoi), indicating a sense of being puffed up or arrogant.

3. Judgment and Discipline
Paul instructs the church on how to deal with the sinner, emphasizing the need for judgment and discipline: "Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 5:5). The phrase "hand over to Satan" suggests a form of excommunication intended for the ultimate spiritual restoration of the individual.

4. The Purity of the Church
Paul uses the metaphor of leaven to illustrate how sin can affect the entire community: "Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough?" (1 Corinthians 5:6). The Greek word "ζύμη" (zymē) for "leaven" symbolizes the pervasive nature of sin.

5. Christ Our Passover Lamb
Paul reminds the Corinthians of their identity in Christ, urging them to live in sincerity and truth: "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7). The reference to "Passover lamb" connects to the Hebrew concept of the sacrificial lamb in the Passover tradition, symbolizing deliverance and purity.

6. Instructions on Association
Paul clarifies his previous instructions about associating with immoral people, distinguishing between those inside and outside the church: "But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. With such a man do not even eat" (1 Corinthians 5:11). The Greek term "συναναμίγνυσθαι" (synanamignysthai) means to mix or associate closely.

7. Judgment Within the Church
Paul concludes by emphasizing the responsibility of the church to judge those within its community: "What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?" (1 Corinthians 5:12). The Greek word "κρίνετε" (krinete) for "judge" implies making a discernment or decision regarding conduct.

Themes

1. Immorality in the Church
The chapter begins with Paul addressing a case of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church, specifically a man having relations with his father's wife. This is described as a sin not even tolerated among pagans (1 Corinthians 5:1). The Greek term used here for immorality is "πορνεία" (porneia), which broadly refers to illicit sexual conduct.

2. Church Discipline
Paul emphasizes the need for the church to take action against the immoral behavior by removing the offender from their midst (1 Corinthians 5:2). The Greek word "ἐξαίρω" (exairo) is used, meaning to remove or expel, highlighting the necessity of maintaining purity within the church community.

3. Spiritual Pride and Humility
Paul criticizes the Corinthians for being arrogant despite the presence of sin among them (1 Corinthians 5:2). The Greek word "φυσιόω" (physioo) means to be puffed up or proud, indicating a need for humility and self-examination.

4. Purity and the Passover Lamb
Paul uses the metaphor of leaven to illustrate how sin can permeate the entire community, urging them to be a new batch without yeast, as they are in Christ (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). He refers to Christ as the Passover Lamb, drawing on the Jewish tradition where leaven symbolizes sin and corruption.

5. Separation from Sin
The chapter concludes with Paul instructing the Corinthians not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sinful behavior (1 Corinthians 5:11). The Greek word "συναναμίγνυμι" (synanamignymi) means to mix or associate closely, underscoring the importance of maintaining a distinct separation from sin.

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