THAT THERE IS SEXUAL IMMORALITY. Immorality [fornication] was the _normal_ way of life among the Gentiles. The temple of Venus at Corinth had 1,000 prostitutes who served as "priestesses" in worship which we would describe as a sex-orgy. Immorality was always a serious problem in the church, because... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW THEN, CAN YOU BE PROUD? This implies the false teacher influenced them to permit this to continue. See note on 1 Corinthians 3:13; and compare Romans 6:1-2. YOU SHOULD BE FILLED WITH SADNESS. Compare 2 Corinthians 7:10. PUT OUT OF YOUR GROUP. To remove this source of _bad influence_ from the gro... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN THOUGH I AM FAR AWAY. Distance separated them, yet he was there with them in _spirit_ through his interest in them and his knowledge of their actions. I HAVE ALREADY PASSED JUDGMENT. As an apostle, he could do this. The man, however, had _already judged_ himself by his sin.... [ Continue Reading ]
AS YOU MEET TOGETHER. This was to be a solemn act of the whole community of believers. Compare Matthew 18:15-17. AND I MEET WITH YOU. Paul, by his authority, had commanded what they were about to do. Of OUR LORD JESUS. Christ, as the head of the church, is the source of authority.... [ Continue Reading ]
OVER TO SATAN. This means to expel him from the messianic community. FOR HIS BODY TO BE DESTROYED. The shame of being put out of the church would cause the man to repent. His pride would be destroyed. _MacKnight_ thinks the language implies a painful physical disease was part of the judgment which P... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS NOT RIGHT. They were proud of their (false) teacher, and though he understood the gospel better than Paul; and were (perhaps) proud of the way this man defended the incestuous relationship. YOU KNOW THE SAYING. This man's example would poison the whole community of believers.... [ Continue Reading ]
YOU MUST TAKE OUT. The church as a group must act to remove this source of "bad example." A NEW BATCH OF DOUGH. Paul uses the "unleavened bread" of Passover as a symbol _of purity._ During Passover week, Jews got rid of every trace of yeast from their houses, so that the Passover bread would be comp... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US CELEBRATE OUR FEAST. The Greek implies _continuous action._ Paul's intention is to show the Corinthians (and us) that the Christian's "Passover feast" includes the whole Christian conduct of life! THE YEAST OF SIN AND WICKEDNESS. It is always our obligation to take out the old yeast. In being... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE LETTER. He had written a short letter, which we do not have. NOT TO ASSOCIATE WITH IMMORAL PEOPLE. The Corinthians thought he meant the people of the world only, and they did associate with the man in 1 Corinthians 5:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW I DID MEAN PAGANS. "I say this plainly, so that you cannot misunderstand me." It would be impossible to make a living at Corinth (or any other place) without daily contact with such sinners. Yet see Paul's warning in 2 Corinthians 6:14. TO AVOID THEM. "To get out of the world" would not agree wi... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT I MEANT. This points directly at the man in 1 Corinthians 5:1, and the false teacher. This man called himself a _brother._ To associate with him is to show approval of his sins. Business transactions are not a sign of friendliness, but eating together is! [This implies the false teacher was say... [ Continue Reading ]
TO JUDGE OUTSIDERS. It is none of Paul's business, or ours, to judge those outside the messianic community. They are in the hands of God. OF YOUR OWN FELLOWSHIP. The church is a voluntary group, and its discipline is for those who are part of the group. TAKE THE EVIL MAN OUT OF YOUR GROUP. Paul para... [ Continue Reading ]