1 Corinthians 5
Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 5
By Dave Akerman, LifeChurch Penketh
1 Corinthians 5:5
One of the most challenging and controversial verses in the New Testament is found in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 5:5, Paul writes:
"Hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord."
At first glance, this verse may seem harsh or even contradictory to the message of love and forgiveness typically associated with Christianity. However, a deeper examination reveals important insights into early church discipline, the nature of sin, and the ultimate goal of spiritual redemption.
Context is crucial to understanding this verse. Paul is addressing a case of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church - specifically, a man who was having an affair with his stepmother. The apostle is shocked not only by the sin itself but by the church's apparent tolerance of it. Paul knew not even the wider pagan world embraced this kind of practice! And Paul believed that once sin is tolerated in a community, it wouldn’t take long before other moral compromises would happen in the church, like yeast working its way through dough (5:6). In response, he advocates for a severe form of discipline.
The phrase "hand this man over to Satan" likely refers to excommunication from the church community. By removing the offender from the protective spiritual environment of the church, he would be exposed to the full force of worldly temptations and consequences - the ‘domain of Satan,’ as it were.
The "destruction of the flesh” (some translations instead write this as the destruction of the ‘sinful nature’) doesn't necessarily imply physical harm, but rather the breaking down of sinful desires and behaviours. The idea is that without the support and accountability of the church, the man would be forced to confront the full weight of his actions, potentially leading to genuine repentance and transformation.
Crucially, Paul's ultimate goal is not punishment for its own sake, but salvation. The hope is that this drastic measure will lead to the saving of the man's spirit "on the day of the Lord" - a reference to final judgment and redemption.
And there are good grounds to think this worked and that the man in question repented and was restored. In 2 Corinthians 2:5-11, Paul writes:
"If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."
This verse challenges us to consider several difficult questions:
1. How should churches balance grace with accountability?
2. What role does community play in spiritual growth and overcoming sin?
3. Can temporary exclusion sometimes be an act of love?
4. How do we reconcile God's mercy with the need for repentance?
While the specific circumstances and cultural context of 1 Corinthians 5:5 may seem distant from our modern experience, the underlying principles remain relevant. It reminds us that genuine love sometimes requires difficult choices, that unchecked sin can harm both individuals and communities, and that the ultimate goal of any spiritual discipline should be restoration and redemption.