The focus of 1 Corinthians Chapter 5 is sexual immorality and the case of incest.
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Paul Addresses the Immorality
Paul received the news that the people of Corinth were proud of their sexual immoralities. They not only tolerated it, but they boasted of it, too. He addressed an issue in which a man slept with his father’s wife and those who knew about it would brag about the incident.
But instead of rebuking the one who committed the sexually immoral act, they were happy for that man. Although Paul was not with them physically, he said he was there with them in spirit and he wanted to correct them.
Paul Gives Correction
He said that instead of encouraging that man who slept with his father’s wife, they should have rebuked him so that he could turn from his wicked ways. Paul said the man was in the hands of Satan and only those who would show him Christ could lead him to salvation before the Second Coming of the Lord.
Paul also emphasized that the incest and sexual immorality among the people could not be tolerated and they were being used by the devil. This could only lead to the destruction of the flesh and would draw them away from the Spirit, which was not Paul’s goal.
Paul Speaks of Judging Others
Even though Paul was not with the people at Corinth at the time, he knew about what their wickedness and sexual immoralities. He did say that there were some who do these wicked acts, but he also said that they were not all alike because everybody did not participate in things like idolatry, sexual immorality, swindling, stealing or murder.
Paul said that if everyone was this wicked, they would all have to leave the world because it would no longer be good. He said in 1 Corinthians Chapter 5 that he was not one to judge anyone outside the church. However, those inside the church will answer to God.
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1 Corinthians 5 (King James Version)
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.