1 Corinthians 5 (2)

Pray Psalm 52.1-4.
Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The goodness of God endures continually.
Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
You love evil more than good,
Lying rather than speaking righteousness.
Selah
You love all devouring words,
You deceitful tongue.

Sing Psalm 52.1-4.
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
Why do the mighty boast in sin? God’s love endures, it knows no end!
They with their tongues vain boasts repeat, and like a razor, work deceit.

Men more than good in evil delight, and lies prefer to what is right.
They utter words both harsh and strong with their devouring, deceitful tongue.

Read 1 Corinthians 5.1-5; meditate on verses 3-5.

Preparation
1. What had Paul done concerning the sinful man?

2. What did he call on the Corinthians to do?

Meditation
Paul did what the Corinthians should have done: He judged the guilty man (v. 3).

Oh, no, no, no, no! We’re not supposed to judge anyone. God knows we’re all sinners. We must be patient and loving and not judgmental.

Rubbish. Jesus called on His followers to judge with righteous judgment, judgment in line with God’s Word and will (Jn. 7.24). This is how He Himself judges, and we must certainly use the mind of Christ as He would (cf. Jn. 5.30). In this case, righteousness required putting this man out of the congregation, out of the fellowship of God’s people, and into the hands of Satan and the world (vv. 4, 5). Paul could not take this action unilaterally, but he instructed the people to do so in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The goal of such discipline is threefold: First, it reminds the people of God that sin is serious—deadly serious. Second, it removes from the congregation the influence of one who will not repent of his sin, at the same time reinforcing the congregation’s call to holiness of life. Third, it puts the unrepentant sinner in a situation where he may come to his senses (think of the prodigal son) and return to the household of faith a cleansed, repentant, and restored brother.

The primary aim of all church discipline is the recovery to Christ of those who become ensnared in sin (Matt. 18.15-17). This is an important function of the church, and we must not neglect to exercise it as needed.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Church discipline also protects others from being led astray.

“The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
for the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Prov. 12.26).

Good shepherds protect their sheep.

To allow this nastiness to infest the church was unconscionable. Then and now.
How could one ever think it was a good idea to let sin go unchecked—either in your own heart or in a fellow believer’s?

Pastors are quick to shut down operations when they think some germ is going to make them or their parishioners physically ill; but can be rather lackadaisical toward the dangers of sin being cavalierly coughed and sprinkled all over their flock—the chance of one leading only to physical death; while the other, most assuredly, to eternal damnation (Matt. 10.28).

Too often, pastors today are the leading perpetrators of sexual sin in churchdom, so therefore, the chances of church disciplinary action taken against anyone else would be self-accusatory. And we can’t have that, can we?

In the meantime, the church is being cast aside as the voice of righteousness, when the world so desperately needs the Savior.

But frankly, the world is as appalled by the church as we should be of ourselves!

God has better plans for us than this (Jer. 29.11).

“…for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him” (Deut. 13.3. 4).

God wants believers who trust Him and obey His Law.

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
but He loves him who follows righteousness.
The LORD is far from the wicked,
but He hears the prayer of the righteous” (Prov. 15.8, 9, 29).

Let us choose to be God’s delight.
Let us choose to be the kind of people that God loves.
Let us choose to be righteous and to have our prayers heard.
Let us choose to never do anything that would lead another believer astray.
“So shall I [choose to] keep Your law continually, forever and ever” (Ps. 119.44).

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Pet. 4.17).

Let’s choose to be righteously ready for it, so we can do the work that He has called us to do!

For reflection
1. How well do you understand the purpose and process of church discipline?

2. Why is it important that churches practice discipline whenever it is needed?

3. What kind of discipline do we need to practice on ourselves to make sure we do not fall into sin?

As the Corinthians were wanting in their duty, having condemned their negligence, he now shows what ought to be done. In order that this stain may be removed, they must cast out this incestuous person from the society of the faithful. He prescribes, then, as a remedy for the disease, excommunication, which they had sinfully delayed so long. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on 1 Corinthians 5.3

Pray Psalm 52.5-9.
Pray for the lost people in your Personal Mission Field. Ask God to soften their hearts and to give you an opportunity to share Jesus with them. Pray that you will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sing Psalm 52.5-9.
(Warrington: Give to Our God Immortal Praise)
God will forever break them down, uproot, and cast them to the ground!
He from their safety tears them away, no more to know the light of day.

The righteous see and laugh and fear, and say, “Behold, what have we here?
Such are all who at God conspire, and wealth and evil ways desire.”

But as for me may I be seen in God an olive ever green!
Ever in God, most kind and just, shall I with joy and gladness trust!

Thanks evermore to our Savior be raised! His faithfulness be ever praised!
Here with Your people, loving God, I wait upon Your Name, so good!

T. M. and Susie Moore

The Church in Corinth needed revival. But there was much to be done before that would happen. The Church today needs revival, and the same is true for us. Our book, Revived!, can help us discern our need for revival and lead us in getting there. Order your copy by clicking here.

Support for Scriptorium comes from our faithful and generous God, who moves our readers to share financially in our work. If this article was helpful, please give Him thanks and praise.

And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 103 Reynolds Lane, West Grove, PA 19390.

Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter, available by clicking here.