December 3, 2023
1 Corinthians 5
“Old Yeast New Yeast”
Service Overview: The Corinthian church was called to be a new kind of people, one which rose above the immoral practices of the surrounding culture. And yet here they were, actually boasting about the unthinkable among them.
Memory Verse for the Week:
“Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1 Corinthians 5:8 (NIV)
Background Insights:
- “Sexual immorality” translates the Greek porneia, the most general of all terms for sexual sin. In this context, however, it is clear that the sin is a matter of incest. (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 139)
- This man was having an affair, already a sinful act deserving discipline. But his sexual activity outside of marriage had taken place with his “stepmother” (literally, his “father’s wife”). (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 65)
- Paul emphasizes that the kind of sin reported “does not exist even among the Gentiles” (5:1). In other words, even non-Christian pagans would be shocked at the type of sexual immorality (porneia [4202]) being tolerated by the Corinthian Christians. (Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on 1 & 2 Corinthians, 78)
- The pride that characterized the Corinthian church (see 4:10, 18) had so blinded the believers that they were allowing flagrant sexual immorality to take place in their fellowship. Their pride may have been such that they refused to admit this sin and deal with it, or they may have been proud that this man was one of their spiritual people, honored for his “knowledge” or “wisdom.” (Grant R. Osborne, Life Application Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Corinthians, 65)
- Verses 3-5 are one long and difficult sentence in the Greek … To deliver one unto Satan is an unusual expression. It occurs elsewhere only in 1 Tim. 1:20. It apparently signifies excommunication (see verses 2, 7, 13). The idea underlying this is that outside the Church is the sphere of Satan (Eph. 2:12; Col. 1:13; 1 Jn. 19). To be expelled from the Church of Christ is to be delivered over into that region where Satan holds sway. It is a very forcible expression for the loss of all Christian privileges. (Leon Morris, 1 Corinthians, 88)
- What does it mean to deliver a Christian “unto Satan”? It does not mean to deprive him of salvation, since it is not the church that grants salvation to begin with. When a Christian is in fellowship with the Lord and with the local church, he enjoys a special protection from Satan. But when he is out of fellowship with God and excommunicated from the local church, he is “fair game” for the enemy. God could permit Satan to attack the offender’s body so that the sinning believer would repent and return to the Lord. (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 75)
What is vital to see and glean from this text?
- The Problem: The pride this church took in being tolerant of the abhorrent.
(vv. 1-3 | Prov. 10:9; 17:15; Mark 7:20-23; Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Timothy 4:1-2; 1 Peter 1:14)
This church out-tolerated the tolerance of an obscene Roman culture. (Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians, 104)
They were boasting of the fact that their church was so “open-minded” that even fornicators could be members in good standing! (Warren Wiersbe, Be Wise, 74)
The church’s reaction to this affair was as bad or worse than the affair itself. Instead of grieving over sin in their midst, they were actually smug over their newfound, “enlightened” tolerance as Christians (v. 2). (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 140)
- Paul’s Solution: Redemptive disfellowship.
(vv. 4-5 | Mat. 18:15-17; Rom. 16:17; 2 Cor. 2:5-11; 2 Thes. 3:14; 1 Tim. 1:20; Titus 3:10)
The whole point in disfellowshipping is to so shock the persons involved by the severity of the church’s disapproval that they are stimulated to change their behavior, after less radical action has left them unaffected. (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 144)
Maybe the most significant thing we can learn from such a text is how far many of us are removed from a view of the church in which the dynamic of the Spirit was so real that exclusion could be a genuinely redemptive action. (Gordon Fee, 1 Corinthians, 214)
- Paul’s Reason: To ward off corruption and enable growth in devotion.
(vv. 6-8 | Prov. 1:10; 13:20; Rom. 12:2; 1 Cor. 15:33; Gal. 1:10; Eph. 4:1-3; 1 Tim. 6:3-5)
the passage emphatically calls the church to claim its identity as a people with a distinct character and mission, a counter-cultural prophetic community. Within such a community, the members are called to take active responsibility for one another’s lives and spiritual wholeness. (Richard B. Hays, First Corinthians, 89)
- Paul’s direction: To distance themselves from those who claim Christ but blatantly live otherwise.
(vv. 9-13 | Ps. 1:1-6; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Tim. 2:22-26; 3:1-5; 2 John 1:10-11)
Leaven is a picture of sin. It is small but powerful; it works secretly; it “puffs up” the dough; it spreads. The sinning church member in Corinth was like a piece of yeast: He was defiling the entire loaf of bread (the congregation). It was like a cancer in the body that needed to be removed by drastic surgery. (Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Wise, 75)
Conclusion… What counter-cultural principles might we live by in light of a text like this?
A. Never become tolerant of what God has declared abhorrent.
(Prov. 4:14-15; 17:15; 29:25; Isaiah 5:20; Gal. 5:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Peter 1:14)
A sin-sick church will boast, “We are affirming and accepting.” A gospel-filled church will mourn, “We are sinful and undone.” It will readily acknowledge it is a community of repenting sinners. (Akin, 105)
The carnal mind seeks to create its own god which loves everyone, puts up with all matter of evil and foolishness, and gives in to the will of evil men who cry “Inequality!” (Duane Spencer, TULIP, 21)
B. Fix your cracks before your dam breaks.
(Prov. 10:9; 28:13; Romans 12:2; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 4:1-3; James 4:7; 1 Peter 1:14)
The behavior of saints should correspond with their positions. Since they are children of light, that is, since their very nature is spiritual light, they are to live accordingly (Rom. 13:12). (David K. Lowery, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, 638)
Forgiveness does not restore credibility, and character must be seen as something that can be lost far easier than gained, much less restored. (Albert Mohler, The Conviction to Lead, 80)
C. Guard yourself around those who claim Christ but refuse to follow his lead.
(Psalm 1:1-6; 119:115; Luke 6:45; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 1 Peter 1:14)
The Bible plainly teaches that God works in His people to keep them from habitually walking apart from Him. In a believer, a carnal or fleshly walk can only be temporary and partial. There is no such thing as a characteristically carnal Christian. That would be a contradiction in terms. (Tom Wells, Christian: Take Heart!, 22)
It is inconceivable that a person could fall in love with the Redeemer in the biblical sense and not long to be conformed to the object of that affection. (John Hannah, To God be the Glory, 38)
The Christian life is a positive allegiance to Jesus Christ. It is becoming so occupied with Him that the values and standards of the world around us have little influence. (George Sweeting, Who Said That?, 146)
Worldliness is not a matter of engaging in those practices that some question. It is unthinkingly adopting the perspectives, values and attitudes of our culture, without bringing them under the judgment of God’s Word. It is carrying on in our lives as if we did not know Jesus. (Lawrence Richards, Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, 639)
Gospel Connection…
Jesus died to redeem a people who would throw off their old selves to put on a new self in him.
(John 3:3; Rom. 2:4; 12:2; 2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 3:1-3; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 1:8-10)
What is repentance? It is turning from the sins you love to the holy God you’re called to love. It is admitting that you’re not God. It is beginning to value Jesus more than your immediate pleasure. It is giving up those things the Bible calls sin and leaving them to follow Jesus. (Mark Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, 57)
Spiritual Challenge Questions…
Reflect on these questions in your time with the Lord this week, or discuss with a Christian family member or Life Group.
- Why do you think there was reluctance among the Corinthian church to deal with the sexual sin in their midst?
- What harm is there in not dealing with well-known sin?
- Why should we not disassociate ourselves from sinners outside the church?
- What heart posture must someone have to engage in loving confrontation?
- Describe a time when someone lovingly corrected you. How did it help you turn from your sin?
- How would the church benefit if each Christian cultivated an attitude that welcomes correction?
Quotes to note…
Nothing can be more cruel than the tenderness that consigns another to his sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than that severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together, 107)
The church is called not only to a ministry of reconciliation, but a ministry of nurture to those within her gates. Part of that nurture includes church discipline. (R. C. Sproul, In Search of Dignity, 182)
There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough – a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice – which costs nothing, and is worth nothing. (J.C. Ryle, Holiness, 204)
When we enter into the “in Christ” existence we become one with those who are in Christ. Eternal life is received individually, but it is lived out in community. And the community battles sin in the body by confronting sinners and by requiring spiritual accountability. (Ajith Fernando, The Gift of Eternal Life, 183)
The plain, unvarnished truth is, that every one of us needs the accountability that comes from formal, regular, intimate relationships with other godly people. (Wayne Mack, To Be or Not To Be a Church Member, 64)
Worldliness is whatever makes sin look normal and righteousness look strange. (Kevin DeYoung, The Hole in Our Holiness, 37)
Thinking of Passover reminds him of Christ as our perfect sacrifice (v. 7), imagery which the writer to the Hebrews will later elaborate. Jesus’ atonement was not intended to free us to sin but to liberate us from sin. (Craig L. Blomberg, 1 Corinthians, 141)
Contrary to contemporary wisdom, the Bible teaches that one cannot yield to the authority of the Word without submitting to the authority of the church. (John Muether, Knowing His Voice, Tabletalk, March, 2009, p. 15)
Living God’s way means putting away your self-centeredness and committing yourself to follow God’s Word in spite of any feelings to the contrary. (John Broger, Self-Confrontation Manual, Lesson 5, 5)
Though true Christianity uniquely involves a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, it is also a corporate experience…Christians cannot grow spiritually as they ought to in isolation from one another. (Gene Getz, Encouraging One Another, 10)
Churches should practice discipline for love’s sake: love for the sinner, love for weaker sheep who can be led astray, love for non-Christian neighbors who need to see a holy Christian witness, and love for Christ and His reputation. (Jonathan Leeman, Reverberation, 188)
