The ages old sin; fornication. To illicit sexual intercourse is fornication. This sin has occurred since near the beginning of mankind upon the earth. One who participates in this filthy occupation is known as a prostitute; one who participates in this lewd act for money. However, it is not always participated in just for money. The lust of the flesh tends to lead to fornication by two willing participants. In either case, this behavior is sinful and abhorred by God.
But, this instance spoken of is more revolting, disgusting, than common fornication. It is ‘such as was not so much as named among the Gentiles.’ (1 Cor. 5:1)
Fornication was common among Gentiles; not so much in the Jews. The Jews had been given the Law of Moses concerning daily relationships. Let us notice some of them:
Lev. 18. We will read some of these verses together.
Vs. 6. 6 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the Lord.
Their nakedness, or nudity is implying shameful exposure; to approach is to imply an uncovering for an unclean purpose. Thus, to approach someone for fornication to a near kin is against the law of God.
Vss. 7-8. 7 The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 8 The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.
When two are married, they become ‘one’ in the eyes of God. To uncover one is to uncover the other. Israelite males had multiple wives; a child born of one was her child. However, the father was still married to others and they belonged to the father.
In vss. 9-18, a list of other near kin is told. If they were kinfolk of yours, you were not to uncover their nakedness for the intent of any unclean purpose, nor see their nakedness for any reason. That list includes:
sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother; thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter; thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father but not thy mother; thy father's sister: thy mother's sister: the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt; the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son's wife; thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness; the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter,; Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister.
These laws were to be known by the Jews and most of the time were adhered unto by them. However, Gentiles did not adhere to these laws of God. Lev. 18:3. 3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Gentiles were known to fornicate. God warned Israel not to do as the Gentiles do.
In Corinth, even this known fornication of this man was more ludicrous than normal for a Gentile; the man had his father’s wife. But no one seemed to be alarmed. Someone was alarmed to have written unto Apostle Paul to speak of the matter.
Perhaps this problem was addressed to Paul by a Jew for the Gentile’s sake. With a young congregation in the Faith, a respected man of God should address the situation. Perhaps few will be offended to leave the faith. Therefore, Paul addresses the situation with care but firmness.
If we see such behavior today, how are we to address the situation?
Do not ignore. Do not become ‘puffed up’--to make natural. (Strong’s G5448)
The church at Corinth saw this behavior as natural. Again, this indicated to the Gentile, fornication was a normal way of life.
1 Cor. 5:2. 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.
What about today, is fornication normal? Sadly, it occurs too often by too many in society; including those who claim Christianity. Our society wants to legalize means necessary to promote more fornication and not have to face the consequences thereof. It has become commonplace and is no longer regarded as a shameful thing.
The members have not mourned. In other words, they have not felt any shame nor remorse for the soul of the individual. Righteous people should be mindful and take care for the brother’s soul and its heavenly condition. To do nothing to correct the brother’s sinful condition is a sin. To not address the condition for the cause of Christ–the virtue of the Kingdom; the church–is also sin. If the righteous do not warn the unrighteous brethren of their possible loss of salvation because of a sinful condition, we will be held accountable by God.
Paul was already perturbed over the condition and the lack of righteous guidance for the man.
Vs. 3. 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, …
Dealing With The Problem Vss. 4-5
Paul says, “In the name of Jesus” do this and that. We as members of the kingdom–church, are to do many things ‘In the name of Jesus’. It is by the authority of Jesus to do righteous things for the cause of Christ in this world. When we call upon the name of Jesus, and it is within his will, he hears our plea and will grant it for the virtue of the kingdom here on earth. Jesus does not want ill language or speech to be spoken about his church–the bride. Faithful members, truly faithful, have a right to call upon Jesus to fulfill this kind of matter for the soul’s sake and for his name sake. We must do this distasteful deed for the church even though we dislike it. Paul said to do it in the assembly.
Vss. 4-5. 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.
A ‘come to meeting’ moment for a wayward member is often necessary. It must be done; however with love. The leaders, or men , of the congregation are to take the erring member aside and speak to him concerning the unrighteous behavior. It is to be done every time, especially for a young in the faith member. They may not know of their condition if the world accepts this behavior as common. To do this in the name of Jesus authorizes the meeting between the erring member and God. God will now take the matter into his hands with the person. As righteous members, we are to allow God his time to work his power upon the soul of the sinner; not our feelings or commands. NOTICE: 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. God and only God can perform this task upon the sinner. LET GOD DO IT!
What Not To Do
Glorying in the event–boasting or rejoicing–is not good. Rejoicing or boasting in iniquity is never a righteous behavior. However, the nature of mankind is not any different today as yesterday. Man finds pleasure in sinfulness; their own and others.
This little blemish in the congregation can grow into a bigger iniquity among the members. Paul uses the term ‘leaven’. Vss. 6-7. 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:
Either the little sin is looked at by outsiders as the whole group is involved, or the little sin from one can infect more in the congregation. As is typical, if one can get away with something, soon others will try the same.
We are to assemble to worship God, Jesus and the Holy spirit in sincerity and truth. Vs. 8. 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. We assemble to worship God and to commemorate the Lord’s death until he comes again with the sacraments we call the bread and fruit of the vine. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is to be done in its proper authorized way; unleavened bread–undefiled. The body of Jesus Christ was undefiled when he went to the cross to die as the Lamb of God for atonement for sinful man. We are to honor that privilege.
Having Company With Fornicators of the World.
We know fornication is found rampant among people of the world. It is to these people we try to convert from the evils of Satan to the righteousness of God. Therefore, we must live among them. How are we to live? Like the world? Or, as an example of righteousness?
Vss. 9-10. 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. We cannot leave this world until Jesus calls us, therefore, we must live among the fornicators. But we are not to live as they do.
We are not to tolerate this behavior in the body, the church. Vss. 11-13. 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 idolator, 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.
In this passage, Paul says any fornication, even if unlike the former, is not to be associated within the congregation–kingdom–church. He includes common sinfulnesses that is common in the world and of which can be found within the church; covetousness, idolatry–which is and includes greed; a railer or drunkard, even an extortioner. ‘With such an one no not to eat.’ Strong’s G4906, to eat with, take food together with. Notice this is true: Paul begins with, “I have written unto you not to keep company, …” We cannot fellowship with them. That is keeping company. We are to allow God to show them what they are missing, and, peradventure they see the error of their ways by the power of God and his Holy Spirit, they will repent and confess their errors. Then we are to take them back into the fellowship and again have company with them, eating and fellowshipping again.
The righteous within the assembly and the church are to judge the erring member. The world already does. We are to be aware and try to prevent such knowledge from the world to tarnish the good name of Jesus.
We are, also, not to judge the world; God only has that right. He is the sovereign one who has all authority to judge being only he knows all the details. Let us try to take into consideration the level of knowledge and faith of each member to build them up in the knowledge of God, having the same mind and judgment.
