Tolerating Sin in the Church Fornication was a part of the worship of Aphrodite. A thousand priestesses of the goddess served as prostitutes who were available for the free use of temple visitors. Yet, a variety of fornication considered detestable by the heathens of this wicked city had been report... [ Continue Reading ]
Deliver the Sinner to Satan The apostle directed that the whole congregation should act on the basis of Christ's authority. When the church acts on the basis of Christ's word, as delivered by inspiration, the action is taken by his authority (1 Corinthians 5:4; Matthew 18:15-20). McGarvey writes, ... [ Continue Reading ]
Warning Against the Leaven of Sin They had been proud of their tolerance of sin, as if that was a badge of true righteousness. However, Paul warned them that such pride was not good. He also reminded them that even a small amount of leaven would spread through an entire lump of dough. Leaven, in th... [ Continue Reading ]
Disciplining Sinners in the Church Christ's apostle to the Gentiles had warned them in some previous epistle not to "keep company with sexually immoral people." Those included in such a description could have been involved in any type of sexual immorality. Those Christians who would keep out the le... [ Continue Reading ]
Christians Must Judge Those Within the Church It was specifically those Christians in sin that Paul warned the brethren not to keep company with. McGarvey says, "Have no interchange of hospitality which would imply brotherly recognition, lest the church should thereby not only be disgraced, but cor... [ Continue Reading ]