1 Corinthians 5:1-13

The apostle now passed to derelictions. The first was lack of discipline. A case of immorality had brought no sense of shame to the church, and no action had been taken. The woman was called to immediate and drastic dealing therewith, and was to act in harmony with the apostle's instruction finally by "the power of the Lord Jesus." The man must be severed from all the advantages of church fellowship.

The reasons for these strong measures were the ultimate salvation of the excommunicated man and the purification of the church. The whole teaching emphasized that there must be no toleration of evil in the church.