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1 Corinthians 5

World English Bible

WEB

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.”

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

1 Corinthians Chapter 5 addresses a serious issue within the church at Corinth regarding immorality. The Apostle Paul confronts the congregation about a case of sexual immorality that is so egregious that even the surrounding Gentile communities would not tolerate it. A man is living with his father's wife, and instead of mourning this sin, the church is puffed up with pride. Paul emphasizes that such behavior should not be accepted among believers, as it contradicts the holiness expected of those who follow Christ. He calls for the church to take action by removing the immoral person from their midst, highlighting the importance of maintaining purity within the body of Christ (#churchdiscipline).

Paul further explains that a little leaven leavens the whole lump, using the metaphor of yeast to illustrate how sin can spread and corrupt the entire community. He urges the Corinthians to cleanse themselves and to celebrate the Passover with sincerity and truth, referring to Christ as our Passover lamb who has been sacrificed. This chapter serves as a reminder of the need for accountability and the call to live a life that reflects the transformative power of the Gospel. Ultimately, Paul emphasizes that believers are to judge those within the church while leaving judgment of outsiders to God, reinforcing the distinction between the community of faith and the world (#holiness, #accountability).

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Referenced by

  1. Exodus 12:14v7Exodus 12:14 establishes the Passover as a lasting ordinance, which Paul references in 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, urging believers to celebrate the festival with sincerity and truth, seeing Christ as our Passover lamb.
  2. Deuteronomy 13:12-15v13Deuteronomy 13:12-15 describes the process of investigating and purging evil from among the people. Similarly, 1 Corinthians 5:13 instructs the church to expel the wicked person from among them, emphasizing the need for purity within the community.
  3. Ecclesiastes 10:1v6Ecclesiastes 10:1 speaks of how a little folly can outweigh wisdom and honor, similar to how Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 5:6 that a little leaven leavens the whole lump, indicating how small sins can corrupt the whole.
  4. Matthew 18:20v4Matthew 18:20 promises Jesus' presence where two or three gather in His name, which is related to 1 Corinthians 5:4 where Paul speaks of the power of Jesus being present when the church gathers.
  5. 2 Thessalonians 3:6v11Both passages address the issue of disassociating from those who live in a disorderly or sinful manner, emphasizing the need for purity and discipline within the Christian community.

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