In chapter 5, Paul addresses reports of sexual immorality among the church members at Corinth. Paul tells them in verse 1 that word has reached him of one among them who is engaged in incest with what is presumably his step-mother (Paul would simply have said “his mother” if that were the case). They were in the midst of, and converted to Christianity from, a pagan society that tolerated – even celebrated sexual immorality and idolatry. Yet Paul states that immorality of this nature is “not tolerated even among pagans” (both Greek and Roman cultures condemned incest).

Paul finds it amazing that the church there has problems with people full of pride (verse 2), and that many are boasting (verse 6) about their gifts and their capable teachers, while they tolerate and say nothing about one of their own being involved in such scandalous immorality! Verse 5 simply means that instead of acting as if everything is normal with such a man in their midst, they must distance themselves from him in the proper manner. The key phrase is “so that his spirit may be saved.” By not correcting him and behaving as if he is doing no wrong, the church there is neglecting his very soul (not to mention the fact that the public nature of his sin is known to others outside the congregation, thus harming the church).

He continues emphasis on sexual immorality in chapter six, reminding them that they were different from the worldly people they once were, saying:

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person osins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Cor 3, 1 Cor 4, 1 Cor 5, 1 Cor 6, 1 Cor 7

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

In chapters three and four, Paul speaks to the division that has occurred with the Christians at Corinth. On the one hand, some were apparently claiming to be “followers” of Paul, and others of Apollos. It seems that some were still questioning Paul’s apostleship. In chapter three, he tells them that he had “fed” them with milk rather than solid food because they were not ready for it. Their bickering made it apparent that they were still not ready for “solid food” because they evidently were still having trouble with the basics of Christianity. Christ, he tells them is the foundation, and he, Apollos, and anyone else who teaches them only builds on that foundation.

English: the beginning of the 1. Epistle to the Corinthians (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In verse 17 of chapter four, he reminds them that he had sent Timothy to reinforce the teaching that he had begun with them. he urges them to listen to him; and he assures them that he will be returning. He wants them to work out these problems before he returns, and not allow those who are teaching error to overcome them in the mean time.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Cor 3, 1 Cor 4, 1 Cor 5, 1 Cor 6, 1 Cor 7

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.