1 Corinthians 5:13

Judging and disciplining unbelievers is the Lord’s work. Obviously this does not mean that Christians should remain aloof when justice needs maintaining in the world. God has delegated human government to people as His vice-regents (e.g., Genesis 9:5-6). As human beings Christians should bear their fair share of the weight of responsibility in these matters. The point here is that the Corinthians and all Christians should exercise discipline in church life to an extent beyond what is our responsibility in civil life.

Paul did not explain the objective in view in church discipline in this passage. Elsewhere we learn that it is always the restoration of the offender to fellowship with God and His people (2 Corinthians 2:5-11). It is also the purity of the church. [Note: For general studies of church discipline, see J. Carl Laney, "The Biblical Practice of Church Discipline," Bibliotheca Sacra 143:572 (October-December 1986):353-64; and Ted G. Kitchens, "Perimeters of Corrective Church Discipline," Bibliotheca Sacra 148:590 (April-June 1991):201-13. On the subject of lawsuits against local churches and church leaders who practice church discipline, see Jay A. Quine, "Court Involvement in Church Discipline," Bibliotheca Sacra 149:593 (January-March 1992):60-73, and 594 (April-June 1992):223-36.]

Chapter 5 deals with the subject of immoral conduct by professing Christians. [Note: See also Timothy D. Howell, "The Church and the AIDS Crisis," Bibliotheca Sacra 149:593 (January-March 1992):74-82.] The first part (1 Corinthians 5:1-8) contains directions for dealing with a particular case of fornication that existed in the church. The Corinthian Christians were taking a much too permissive attitude toward sin, which reflects the impact of their culture on their church. The second part (1 Corinthians 5:9-13) clarifies our duty in all instances of immoral conduct inside and outside the church.