1 Corinthians 5
BSB1 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. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this? 3 Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4 When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of the Lord Jesus, 5 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. 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth. 9 I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. 10 I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 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 a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you."
Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 5
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from 1 Corinthians 5
- Themes from 1 Corinthians 5
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on 1 Corinthians 5
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul confronts the Corinthian church about a man who is living with his father's wife, a situation that is not only morally reprehensible but also contrary to the teachings of Christ. Paul instructs the church to expel the offender, not to punish him, but to save his soul. He reminds them that a little leaven can leaven the whole lump, emphasizing the need for purity within the church. The chapter concludes with Paul urging the believers to remove the evil from among them, referencing the Passover and the need to keep the feast with sincerity and truth, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8.
Context for the Chapter
This chapter is part of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, a church he founded during his second missionary journey. The letter addresses various issues within the church, including divisions, immorality, and misunderstandings about spiritual gifts. Chapter 5 specifically deals with a case of incest, providing a practical application of Paul's teachings on holiness and church discipline. The context is also connected to the larger biblical narrative of God's desire for a holy people, as seen in Leviticus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 22:30.
Heart Application
As believers, we are called to maintain purity within our own lives and within the church. This involves recognizing the seriousness of sin, being vigilant against its influence, and taking swift action to address it. By doing so, we reflect the character of God and preserve the integrity of the body of Christ, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 and Ephesians 5:25-27.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter of 1 Corinthians talks about how important it is for the church to stay pure and not let sin spread. It's like when you have a little bit of yeast in bread; it makes the whole loaf rise. If there's sin in the church, it can spread and hurt everyone. The church has to deal with sin to keep itself pure, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8. This is because God wants His people to be holy, as mentioned in 1 Peter 1:15-16.
Voices from the Church
“The church is to be a garden, and like a garden, it must be weeded. If the weeds are allowed to grow, they will choke out the flowers.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The purity of the church is to be maintained not only by the avoidance of evil but by the active pursuit of holiness.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction to the Problem (1 Corinthians 5:1-2) — Paul addresses a case of incest within the church, emphasizing the church's failure to act and their misplaced pride.
- The Command to Expel the Offender (1 Corinthians 5:3-5) — Paul instructs the church to remove the sinful member, not for punishment, but for the salvation of the soul.
- The Principle of Leaven (1 Corinthians 5:6-8) — Paul uses the metaphor of leaven to illustrate how sin can spread and corrupt the entire body of believers if not addressed.
- The Call to Purity and Separation (1 Corinthians 5:9-13) — Paul reminds the church to maintain its purity, separating from evil and keeping the feast with sincerity and truth.
- Conclusion and Final Instructions (1 Corinthians 5:1-13) — The chapter concludes with a reiteration of the importance of church discipline and purity, emphasizing the role of the church in maintaining a holy and separate people.
Core Doctrines
- Church Discipline
- This chapter teaches that the church has the authority and responsibility to discipline its members to maintain purity and promote holiness, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 and Matthew 18:15-17.
- The Nature of Sin
- It highlights the seriousness and corrupting influence of sin, using the metaphor of leaven to illustrate its potential to spread and corrupt the entire body of believers, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 and Galatians 5:9.
- The Importance of Purity
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity within the church, reflecting God's desire for a holy people, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 and Ephesians 5:25-27.
- The Role of the Church in Salvation
- It shows that the church's actions, including discipline, are aimed at the salvation of souls, demonstrating the church's role in promoting spiritual growth and maturity, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:5 and 2 Corinthians 13:10.
Lessons from 1 Corinthians 5
- The Necessity of Church Discipline — The chapter highlights the importance of church discipline in maintaining purity and promoting holiness within the body of Christ.
- The Seriousness of Sin — It teaches us about the serious nature of sin and its potential to spread and corrupt the entire body of believers if not addressed.
- The Role of the Church in Promoting Holiness — The chapter shows that the church has a critical role in promoting holiness and purity among its members, reflecting God's desire for a holy people.
- The Importance of Purity in Personal Life — It emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity in our personal lives, recognizing the influence of sin and taking steps to address it.
- The Connection Between Purity and Worship — The chapter connects the concept of purity with the idea of keeping the feast with sincerity and truth, highlighting the importance of purity in our worship and relationship with God.
Themes from 1 Corinthians 5
- Holiness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of maintaining holiness and purity within the church, reflecting God's character and desire for His people.
- Church Discipline — It highlights the role of church discipline in maintaining purity and promoting holiness, demonstrating the church's authority and responsibility in this area.
- The Nature of Sin — The chapter teaches about the serious and corrupting influence of sin, using the metaphor of leaven to illustrate its potential impact on the body of believers.
- Separation from Evil — It calls believers to separate from evil and to maintain their purity, keeping the feast with sincerity and truth.
- The Role of the Church in Salvation — The chapter shows that the church's actions, including discipline, are aimed at the salvation of souls, demonstrating the church's role in promoting spiritual growth and maturity.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the case of incest in 1 Corinthians 5 teach us about the seriousness of sin within the church?
- How does the principle of leaven apply to our personal lives and the life of the church?
- What role does church discipline play in maintaining purity and promoting holiness within the body of Christ?
- How does the call to purity and separation in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 apply to our daily lives as believers?
- What does the chapter teach us about the importance of dealing swiftly and decisively with sin within the church?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction to the Problem (1 Corinthians 5:1-2)
| 5:1 | Paul addresses a case of incest within the church, a situation that is morally reprehensible and contrary to the teachings of Christ. |
| 5:2 | The church's failure to act and their misplaced pride are highlighted as issues that need to be addressed. |
2. The Command to Expel the Offender (1 Corinthians 5:3-5)
| 5:3 | Paul instructs the church to remove the sinful member, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity within the body of Christ. |
| 5:4 | The action of expulsion is to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 5:5 | The purpose of this action is for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. |
3. The Principle of Leaven (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)
| 5:6 | Paul uses the metaphor of leaven to illustrate how sin can spread and corrupt the entire body of believers if not addressed. |
| 5:7 | He reminds them to keep the feast with sincerity and truth, emphasizing the importance of purity in their worship and relationship with God. |
| 5:8 | The feast is to be kept with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth, reflecting the desire for a holy and separate people. |
4. The Call to Purity and Separation (1 Corinthians 5:9-13)
| 5:9 | Paul reminds the church not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral, as this contradicts the teachings of Christ. |
| 5:10 | The instruction is not to avoid all people who are immoral, but specifically those who claim to be believers yet live in sin. |
| 5:11 | The church is to separate from such individuals, not even to eat with them, to maintain purity and holiness. |
| 5:12 | Paul distinguishes between judging those inside and outside the church, emphasizing the church's responsibility to judge those within. |
| 5:13 | The final instruction is to expel the wicked person from among them, referencing the command from Deuteronomy 17:7 and 19:19. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of church discipline as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5?
The purpose of church discipline is not for punishment, but for the salvation of the soul and the preservation of the church's purity, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:5 and 2 Corinthians 13:10.
How does the principle of leaven apply to our personal lives?
The principle of leaven teaches us about the serious and corrupting influence of sin, emphasizing the need for vigilance and swift action against sin in our personal lives, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 and Galatians 5:9.
What does it mean to keep the feast with sincerity and truth?
Keeping the feast with sincerity and truth means to worship and live in a manner that is pure and holy, reflecting the desire for a holy and separate people, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 and Ephesians 5:25-27.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Corinthians 5:1 → Leviticus 18:8 | The sin of incest mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:1 is directly related to the commandment in Leviticus 18:8, which prohibits such actions. |
| 2 | 1 Corinthians 5:6 → Galatians 5:9 | The principle of leaven in 1 Corinthians 5:6 is echoed in Galatians 5:9, where it is applied to the influence of false teachings. |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 5:7 → Exodus 12:15 | The instruction to keep the feast with sincerity and truth in 1 Corinthians 5:7 is connected to the command to remove leaven during the Passover, as seen in Exodus 12:15. |
| 4 | 1 Corinthians 5:9 → 2 Thessalonians 3:6 | The command not to associate with the disobedient in 1 Corinthians 5:9 is similar to the instruction in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, which advises against associating with the idle. |
| 5 | 1 Corinthians 5:10 → Matthew 18:15-17 | The process of dealing with sin within the church in 1 Corinthians 5:10 is similar to the steps outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 for addressing sin among believers. |
| 6 | 1 Corinthians 5:11 → Deuteronomy 13:6-11 | The instruction to separate from those who claim to be believers yet live in sin in 1 Corinthians 5:11 has roots in Deuteronomy 13:6-11, where the Israelites are commanded to purge the evil from among them. |
| 7 | 1 Corinthians 5:12 → Matthew 7:1-5 | The distinction between judging those inside and outside the church in 1 Corinthians 5:12 is connected to Jesus' teachings on judging in Matthew 7:1-5. |
| 8 | 1 Corinthians 5:13 → Deuteronomy 17:7 | The command to expel the wicked person from among them in 1 Corinthians 5:13 references the instruction in Deuteronomy 17:7 to purge the evil from among the Israelites. |
| 9 | 1 Corinthians 5:5 → 1 Timothy 1:20 | The action of handing over to Satan in 1 Corinthians 5:5 is also mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:20, where it is used as a means of discipline for those who have rejected faith. |
| 10 | 1 Corinthians 5:7 → Ephesians 5:25-27 | The connection between purity and worship in 1 Corinthians 5:7 is further elaborated in Ephesians 5:25-27, where Christ's love for the church is described as a desire to present her as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish. |
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Fighting Hypocrisy in the Church by Francis Chan | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a play he watched and how it made him question his own commitment to living out the Bible. He emphasizes the importance of not just preachin |
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When God Doesn't Listen by Francis Chan | This sermon emphasizes the importance of repentance and purging sin from our lives to experience God's blessings and favor. It highlights the need for unity and purity within the c |
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If Any Man Be in Christ - Part 3 (Cd Quality) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a marriage hall where people were dancing and having a good time. Suddenly, the Queen of the Underworld enters and starts dancing |
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Sharing the Grief of God by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by thanking God for his blessings and acknowledging Jesus and the Holy Ghost. He asks for forgiveness for forgetting what God has done and prays |
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(2008 Usa Tour) Singles Table Talk by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher describes a journey up a cableway to a beautiful mountain, followed by a visit to a tea place and a boat ride around Seal Island. The preacher then men |
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Question and Answer - Part 1 (W/ Paul Washer) by Voddie Baucham | In this sermon, the speaker highlights how modern society has become so accustomed to artificial things that we have lost the ability to appreciate the simple pleasures and realiti |
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(Exodus) Exodus 12:5-8 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher shares his experiences as a young preacher in Middle Tennessee. He talks about how he used to hold meetings in country churches during the summer and h |
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The Real or the Plastic? by Art Katz | In this sermon transcript, the speaker reflects on a night of a general meeting where an internationally known speaker delivered a message. The speaker expresses their disappointme |
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(Nicaragua) the Ministry of Refreshing Others by David Wilkerson | In this video, the preacher emphasizes the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit rather than the flesh. The congregation expresses their love for the Lord through joyful shouts |
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Pt 5 the Corruption of the Leaven by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the parable of the three measures of meal. He explains that the parable represents fellowship with God in service, which can be spoiled by th |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on 1 Corinthians 5
In this chapter, Paul addresses a case of incest within the Corinthian church, emphasizing the need for purity and the role of church discipline in maintaining it. The principle of leaven is used to illustrate the spreading influence of sin, and the church is called to separate from evil and keep the feast with sincerity and truth. This reflects God's desire for a holy people and the church's responsibility to promote holiness among its members. The chapter teaches practical lessons on the seriousness of sin, the importance of purity, and the role of the church in discipline and salvation, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13. It emphasizes the connection between purity and worship, highlighting the church's role in promoting spiritual growth and maturity, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 and Ephesians 5:25-27. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Seriousness of Sin
The chapter highlights the serious nature of sin within the church, emphasizing that even a small amount of sin can have a profound impact on the entire body of believers, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:6. This is a call to vigilance and swift action against sin. The observation is also connected to the principle found in Galatians 5:9.
The Role of the Church
The church is given the responsibility to maintain its purity through discipline, demonstrating that the body of Christ is to be a holy and separate people, as instructed in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
The Purpose of Discipline
Discipline is not intended for punishment but for restoration and the preservation of the church's purity, reflecting God's desire for a holy people, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:5 and Hebrews 12:7-11.