1 Corinthians Chapter 5 — Purity and Discipline
Paul addresses a specific case of immorality in the Corinthian church, urging the community to exercise discipline and maintain moral purity.
1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father’s wife.
2You are arrogant, and didn’t mourn instead, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you.
3For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.
4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together with my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5you are to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump?
7Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.
8Therefore let’s keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners;
10yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world.
11But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person.
12For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within?
13But those who are outside, God judges. “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.”✡Deuteronomy 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21; 24:7
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Corinthians 5:6
“Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump?”
Paul uses the metaphor of yeast to explain how sin can spread and impact an entire community if not addressed.
1 Corinthians 5:7
“Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.”
This verse connects the concept of purity with the sacrifice of Jesus, identifying Him as the Passover fulfillment.
Chapter Summary
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul confronts the Corinthian church regarding reports of a man living in sexual immorality with his father's wife. Paul expresses disappointment that the church has remained arrogant instead of mourning the situation. He instructs them to gather together and remove the individual from their fellowship, delivering him to Satan so that his spirit might ultimately be saved. Paul uses the metaphor of yeast to illustrate how a small amount of sin can corrupt the entire congregation. He emphasizes that while Christians should not withdraw from the world entirely, they must hold fellow believers accountable. The chapter concludes with a call to judge those within the church while leaving the judgment of those outside to God, quoting the Old Testament instruction to put away the wicked man from among them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paul is addressing a report of sexual immorality where a man in the church is living with his father's wife. Paul is concerned that the church has been proud of their tolerance instead of dealing with the sin.
This refers to removing an unrepentant person from the church fellowship and its spiritual protection. The goal is the destruction of the flesh so that the person's spirit might be saved through eventual repentance.
Paul states that the church is responsible for judging those within the community—fellow believers—to maintain purity. He clarifies that they are not to judge those outside the church, as God handles their judgment.
Study Note
The reference to 'Christ, our Passover' in verse 7 links the Christian life to the Jewish festival of Passover and the removal of leaven from homes.
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