Introduction

Introduction

• Paul had just discussed being divided and how it destroys the church.
• Those who destroy the temple of God will be destroyed by God.
• The importance of keeping one’s own salvation should be foremost on their minds.
• It was important to get the brethren united in mind and purpose before he could get them to move in unity to solve their own problems.

Chapter 5 Synopsis

• Vs 1-2 - A Christian was committing fornication with his fathers wife
• Vs 3-5 - Paul’s judgment and by his authority of Christ told them to put the fornicator away.
• Vs 6-8 - Paul teaches how one sin can permeate the congregation and destroy it.
• Vs 9-11 - Paul’ instructions on association with outsiders and Christians who sin.
• Vs 12 - God judges all men. We judge our own.

1 Corinthians 5:1

Fornication In The Church

Fornication In The Church

• It was commonly known that fornication existed in the church.
• The phrase “should have his father’s wife” suggests that he had married this woman.
• “Father’s wife” tells us that she was not his own natural mother.
• The condemnation came upon the man suggesting the woman was not a Christian.

1 Corinthians 5:2-5

Purpose For Discipline Is To Save The Sinner

Purpose For Discipline-1

• Paul accuses them of being proud and arrogant while this existed in the church.
• The church should have mourned for their brother.
• Paul outlines the process of how the Corinthians were to disfellowship and remove the erring brother.

Purpose For Discipline-2

• The action must be done in the name of Christ – By his authority
• It must happen when the church has come together.
• The sinner must be given over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.
• Do not keep company with the brother - Do not give the impression his sin is tolerable.
• Church must act hoping for his salvation.

Rev. 2:20

[20] Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

[21] And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.

[22] Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

1 Tim. 5:19

Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

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2 Cor. 7:10

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

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1 Corinthians 5:6-8

The Dangerous Effect Of Harboring Sin

Dangers Of Harboring Sin

• The least sin tolerated in the church will permeate and corrupt the whole body.
• Paul compares the problem of unpurged sin within the church to unleavened bread.
• Christ is our sacrificed Passover.
• We cannot offer leavened bread (Ourselves in sin)

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1 Corinthians 5:9-13

How Withdrawal Should Be Applied

How Withdrawal Should Be Applied

• The restricted association we have with those outside the church is different from the restricted association of those within the church.
• Do not associate with the disfellowshipped in a way that allows them to think they were in good standing with God.
• In that age, eating together was always a mark of friendship.

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2 Thess. 3:15

Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

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Jms. 5:19-20

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13

The Limits Of Judging

In A Previous Letter

Paul evidently had written to them before

• Why was the letter not included in the Bible
• Was it lost?
• Was it removed?
• Is this an indication that the Bible is corrupted?
• Does God protect His Word from human corruption or the ravages or time?

God’s Promise To Man

God promised:

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• To preserve His Word
• It would not pass away
• His Word was settled in Heaven - Not to be reestablished or found different
• God will not allow man to overthrow His work
• Let God be found true and every man a liar

Psalm 12:6-7

The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever

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Matthew 5:18

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled

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Psalm 119:89

"For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven"

1 Pet. 1:23-25

[23] having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

[24] because “All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away,

[25] But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

Rom. 3:4

Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”

The Limits Of Judging

• Paul said that he is not allowed to judge the world.
• World’s judgment belongs to God.
• We judge those in God’s house who actively engage in sin.
• Church discipline and withdrawal is the last resort
• Shown out of love, to help the sinner back to repentance and keep the church pure.

Conclusion

Conclusion

• Immorality defiles the person and the church.
• The church united together, must put away the sinful person.
• We are not to have association that gives acceptance to the one withdrawn from.
• If sin were to be allowed within the church, all will become infected by it.
• The discipline of withdrawal must be done out of love to save his soul from destruction.

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