1 Corinthians 5 (Listen)
5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
Devotional:
But actually, I wrote you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister and is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbally abusive, a drunkard or a swindler. Do not even eat with such a person. (1 Corinthians 5:11)
Paul told the Corinthians that they should remove from their community those who were engaged in intentional and unrepentant sin, something known as church discipline. This may feel unloving or harsh, but when someone who calls themselves a “brother or sister” is intentionally rebellious, they spread seeds of division and rebellion throughout the body and an acceptance of sinful activity becomes the norm. Not only is it dangerous for others, it is also dangerous for the person to persist in their sin. Therefore, it is for their good and the good of the community. We are called to pray for them and still love them, in hopes that they will come to repentance – when they are not only restored to God but back in community with His people.
Pray It: Father, make us a church community that is growing in holiness by being willing to address rather than tolerate sin in our lives. Show us where we are sinning as individuals and as a body, and empower us to turn from this sin to walk more faithfully with you. Amen.
Share it: Who can you share a verse or thought from this passage with today?