1 Corinthians 5 and 6 — Let God Be Honored in Your Body
Introduction: Paul addressed a specific case of immorality within the church at Corinth, and sternly warned that the continued acceptance of the offending man would have damaging effects on the whole assembly. He knew there were many believers who were still in the early stage of becoming mature in faith, and they might think keeping this man in the assembly of believers was appropriate kindness. He made it clear that believers were not to judge people outside the church, but within the local assembly it is necessary to deal with anyone whose blatant practices dishonor the Lord. Paul said the sin of this man was not even common with unbelievers, and he should have no association with the local church.
NOTE: All scripture is from the Bible in Basic English.
A — An Open Sexual Sin Among Believers
1 Corinthians 5 “1 It is said, in fact, that there is among you a sin of the flesh, such as is not seen even among the Gentiles, that one of you has his father’s wife. 2 And in place of feeling sorrow, you are pleased with yourselves, so that he who has done this thing has not been sent away from among you… 5 That this man is to be handed over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may have forgiveness in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 This pride of yours is not good. Do you not see that a little leaven makes a change in all the mass? 7 Take away, then, the old leaven, so that you may be a new mass, even as you are without leaven. For Christ has been put to death as our Passover. 8 Let us then keep the feast, not with old leaven, and not with the leaven of evil thoughts and acts, but with the unleavened bread of true thoughts and right feelings.”
Comments: Paul wanted the local church to take immediate action to expel the one who has taken his father’s wife as his own sexual partner. His instruction was that they put that man out of the assembly of believers to allow Satan to carry him on through his sin to the death of his body; that the man’s spirit may have forgiveness in the day of the Lord Jesus. Paul was very firm in telling the assembly they should not feel any pride by continuing to accept this man in their midst. He used the example familiar to Jews of even a little leaven spreading through the whole lump of dough, and continued the parallel stating that Christ has been put to death as the Passover for Christians. Therefore, in keeping the meaning of the feast, there must be no leaven of evil thoughts and acts, but only an atmosphere like unleavened bread — true thoughts and right feelings.
B — This Was for the Church, Not the General Community
1 Corinthians 5 “9 In my letter I said to you that you were not to keep company with those who go after the desires of the flesh; 10 But I had not in mind the sinners who are outside the church… for it is not possible to keep away from such people without going out of the world completely: 11 But the sense of my letter was that if a brother had the name of being one who went after the desires of the flesh, or had the desire for other people’s property, or was in the way of using violent language, or being the worse for drink, or took by force what was not his, you might not keep company with such a one, or take food with him. 12 For it is no business of mine to be judging those who are outside; but it is yours to be judging those who are among you; 13 as for those who are outside, God is their judge. So put away the evil man from among you.”
Comments: Paul made it clear that he was not speaking about believers isolating themselves from all people outside the church — that would be nearly impossible without going completely out from this fallen world. But believers should not keep company with or share meals with those of the assembly who are characterized by going after the desires of the flesh, desiring other people’s property, using violent language, being the worse for drinking, or forcefully taking things from others. Paul was primarily concerned that this assembly carefully judge those in their midst to remove the “leaven” that will dishonor God. Believers don’t need to judge sinful practices committed by those outside the church who do not have the Spirit of God — for God is their rightful judge.
C — Should the Church Settle Civil Cases Between Believers?
1 Corinthians 6 “1 How is it, that if any one of you has a cause at law against another, he takes it before a Gentile judge and not before the saints? 2 Is it not certain that the saints will be the judges of the world? If then the world will be judged by you, are you unable to give a decision about the smallest things?… 5 I say this to put you to shame. Is there not among you one wise man who may be able to give a decision between his brothers? 6 But a brother who has a cause at law against another takes it before Gentile judges. 7 More than this, it is not to your credit to have causes at law with one another at all. Why not put up with wrong? why not undergo loss? 8 So far from doing this, you yourselves do wrong and take your brothers’ property.”
Comments: Disputes between believers involving matters of civil law may seem less serious than sexual sin, but Paul did not want such things to be readily taken before non-believers for settlement. His first point was that saints will certainly judge the world; and therefore present legal matters between believers are small by comparison. He wanted them to first consider allowing someone in the assembly to be their mediator, rather than take the matter for formal settlement by a non-believer. Paul’s second point was that the better objective for a believer is to develop the ability to put up with being treated unfairly and to accept loss from unjust dealings, even within the church. Open disputes where a believer does wrong and takes a brother’s property are a discredit to the local assembly and thereby a discredit to the Lord. Paul was putting quite a challenge before his readers, recognizing in Romans 7:18–25 his own struggles with the old nature — all praise belongs to the Lord whenever a believer is able to overcome any temptation of the old nature.
D — Carefully Consider the True Motives for Your Actions
1 Corinthians 6 “9 Have you not knowledge that evil-doers will have no part in the kingdom of God? Have no false ideas about this: no one who goes after the desires of the flesh, or gives worship to images, or is untrue when married, or is less than a man, or makes a wrong use of men, 10 Or is a thief, or the worse for drink, or makes use of strong language, or takes by force what is not his, will have any part in the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you; but you have been washed, you have been made holy, you have been given righteousness in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
Comments: Paul warned believers not to have any false ideas about this: no one who pursues the immoral sexual desires of the body, or worships false gods, or is unfaithful when married, or is effeminate, or has sexual relations between men, or is a thief, or is frequently drunk, or makes use of strong language, or takes by force what is not his, will have any part in the kingdom of God. Paul reminded them that some of them in their past had done such things — but they had now been washed, they had been made holy and given righteousness in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
E — No Longer Part of the World, Now Part of the Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 6 “12 I am free to do all things; but not all things are wise. I am free to do all things; but I will not let myself come under the power of any… 15 Do you not see that your bodies are part of the body of Christ? how then may I take what is a part of the body of Christ and make it a part of the body of a loose woman? such a thing may not be… 17 But he who is united to the Lord is one spirit. 18 Keep away from the desires of the flesh. Every sin which a man does is outside of the body; but he who goes after the desires of the flesh does evil to his body. 19 Or are you not conscious that your body is a house for the Holy Spirit which is in you, and which has been given to you by God? And you are not the owners of yourselves; 20 For a payment has been made for you: let God be honoured in your body.”
Comments: Even the Apostle Paul stated he could do all things, but not all things are wise, and he did not want to be controlled by the unwise things. Every physical body has basic daily needs, but the Lord will bring an end to both the physical body and its current necessities. The body of a Christian should no longer be used for the independent desires of the temporary flesh, but surrendered to the Lord as his Spirit indwells the believer. Believers while still in their mortal bodies are already part of the body of Christ. Two people become one flesh when joined in sexual relations, so Christians should not be involved in any immoral relationships (Matthew 19:3–8). The closing statements Paul gave in this passage are so important: our body is a house for the Holy Spirit which is in us as a precious gift from God. Therefore we are not the owners of our body and soul; for a priceless payment has been made for each Christian. We must let God be honored in our body!
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I thank you for the strong emphasis Paul placed on the primary importance of avoiding sexual sin when you have given your holy Spirit to be within the physical body of each believer. This indwelling is a precious relationship to our Creator and Savior, with the only appropriate sexual parallel being marriage between one man and one woman. We need to seek your guidance to properly apply Paul’s instructions to end our association with those who are in our assembly as Christians, but then engage in open immorality. We also need to examine our own motives when involved in any disputes with other believers in the church. Help me Lord, to use opportunities in any contact I have with non-believers not to judge them in their sin, but to consider how you might use me to reveal that your grace and forgiveness is the only way any person can be freed from the universal sin nature of mankind. I know that I have the same characteristic failings that are addressed in the Apostles’ letters to local churches. Lord, help me to be more willing each day to purposely surrender my will to you for every aspect of daily living. Amen.
Published 27 February 2018