The Redemptive Purpose Of Discipline Series

Paul, like a spiritual father, admonishes the Corinthians whom he regards as his spiritual children.

• He cares for them like a nursing mother and corrects them like a father would, urging them to walk in a manner worthy of God. (cf. 1 Thess 2:7,11)

• Paul taught them in word and by his example, showing them the way of life that Christ has taught and lived.

When they err, Paul has to correct them. He addresses now in chapters 5-6 the wrongs that have been taking place in the church:

• 5:1-13 – their complacency towards a case of incest in the church

• 6:1-11 – their dragging of church matters into secular courts

• 6:12-20 – their promiscuous lifestyle of some among them, their sexual immorality

As the church of God, then and now, we need to watch our conduct and witness before the world.

1 Cor 5:1-5 ESV

1It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

3For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

The first thing Paul highlighted was this blatant immorality within the church – “a man has his father’s wife”. (5:1) Phrasing it this way implies his stepmother.

• Someone was having an ongoing sexual relationship with his stepmother, and it was common knowledge in the church.

• Paul was shocked to hear of this because such a thing would not be “tolerated even among pagans”.

And they are arrogant about it! We have been hearing this “arrogance” many times.

But how can they be proud of this? A few possibilities.

• They are blinded to what shames them. Anything bad is ignored or denied. They pretend that it is not there and choose to see only what makes them feel good. DENIAL.

• Or they pride themselves on being the most welcoming church in town. “We love and accept everyone and anyone, regardless.” Living in DECEPTION.

• And if the man who had committed incest is a man of status or influence or great wealth, then all the more he is welcome.

• Dr Chan mentioned that we sometimes do not dare to reprimand a rich member for fear that he will leave and we will lose their big financial support for the church.

Pride has a way of blinding us to the obvious. It blinds us to the truth of God’s Word.

• A little girl said to her teacher, ”Miss Tan, I don’t want to scare you, but my dad said, If my grades don’t improve, someone is going to get a spanking!”

• Still could not see that the father was talking about her, not her teacher. The fault is always somebody else.

Paul did not mince his words. He gave them a clear directive: “Let him who has done this be removed from among you.” (5:2)

• The Corinthians may not be happy about this because Paul is not with them. He is making this judgement from Ephesus where he is writing.

• Paul anticipates that and says “I am present in spirit”. “You have my word on this. I have written the judgment in this letter and it is the evidence of my stand on this.”

Paul gave no room for this man to continue in his sinful relationship within the church.

• Not doing anything would destroy this man’s life and damage the witness of the church.

Listen to what Paul instructs them to do:

4When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

THE REDEMPTIVE PURPOSE FOR THE SINNER

The LORD is mentioned 3 times – gather in the Name of the LORD Jesus, with the power of our LORD Jesus, and the hope that this man may be saved in the day of the LORD.

• This is done for Christ’s sake, under His authority and for His glory.

• We are not doing this because Paul says so, or that this is the decision of the church leaders, but it is the Lord’s will. We are here in His Name and with His authority.