The Christian’s relationship to fornicators 5:9-13Paul proceeded to deal with the larger issue of the believer’s relationship to fornicators inside and outside the church. He did this so his readers would understand their responsibility in this area of their lives in their immoral city and abandon their arrogant self-righteousness. read more
(b) 5:1-13. The Case of ImmoralityThe Apostle had written (1 Corinthians 4:21) of coming to exercise authority. Here was a case in which it was needed. A man had created a scandal by marrying his stepmother, and the Corinthians had done nothing. They had allowed him to retain his membership in the Church. St. Paul instructs them to excommunicate the offender, and keep the Church pure.1-8. Paraphrase. ’A rumour has reached me that unchastity exists among you, and that one of your number has... read more
(9) I wrote unto you in an epistle.—These words have given rise to some controversy as to whether the Apostle here refers to some former Epistle addressed to the Corinthian Church, and which has not been preserved, or whether the reference is not to this Epistle itself. It has been suggested by some who adopt the latter view that these words may have been added as an interpolation after the completion of the Epistle, and be intended to intensify the remarks made by the Apostle on this subject... read more
1 Corinthians 5:6-7 The 'eternal vigilance' required to maintain not only liberty but purity, should have for its guide a principle just opposite to the principle commonly followed. Most men, alike in public affairs and private business-affairs, assume that things are going right until it is proved they are going wrong; whereas their assumption should be that things are going wrong until it is proved they are going right. Spencer, Principles of Ethics (§ 470). References. IV. 21. Expositor... read more
Chapter 8EXCOMMUNICATION; OR, PURGING OUT THE OLD LEAVENFROM the subject of the factions in the Corinthian Church, which has so long detained Paul, he now passes to the second division of his Epistle, in which he speaks of the relation the Christians should hold to the heathen population around them. The transition is easy and such as befits a letter. Paul had thought it advisable to send Timothy, who perfectly understood his mind, and could represent his views more fully than a letter; but it... read more
3. Corinthian Failures. Chapters 5-6. CHAPTER 5 1. The Tolerated Case of Gross Immorality. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5 ). 2. The Call to Separation. (1 Corinthians 5:6-13 ). The spiritual declension, the carnal spirit which prevailed among them, had brought forth fruit. One of their members had committed an act of the grossest immorality, which was an unspeakable outrage, such as was not even named in a licentious city like Corinth, where licentiousness of life was a broadly marked feature of... read more
5:9 {9} I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:(9) Now he speaks more generally: and that which he spoke before of the incestuous person he shows that it pertains to others, who are known to be wicked and those who through their wicked life are a slander to the Church, who ought also by lawful order be cast out of the community of the Church. And making mention of eating meals, either he means that feast of love at which the supper of the Lord was received, or else their... read more
The emphasis on human wisdom in Corinth was sadly accompanied by a case of revolting moral corruption. Philosophy is far removed from spiritual power, very commonly. Paul speaks here of a case well known, that of a man having his own stepmother. Such fornication as this was not even considered among the ungodly nations. This illustrates the fact that grace, once known, may be taken advantage of in a most unholy way, if it does not hold living power over the soul. And a believer may slip into... read more
SANCTITY OF THE HUMAN BODY One of the demoralizing things reported to Paul was the incest dealt with in chapter 5, and aggravated by the fact that the church instead of excommunicating the offender had become “puffed up” over it! His was an illustration of what their worldly wisdom in the Gospel had resulted in (1 Corinthians 5:1-2 ). Paul had already “judged” this person and directed the church to come together and solemnly deliver him “to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 5:9
Paul had written this congregation a previous letter that is no longer extant. [Note: See my comments on this letter in the Introduction section of these notes.] In it he urged the Corinthians to avoid associating with fornicators. The same Greek word, pornois, occurs here as in 1 Corinthians 5:1. In view of this instruction the Corinthians’ toleration of the incestuous brother in the church was especially serious. read more