1 Corinthians 5:1-5
1 “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and sexual immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, namely, that someone has his father’s wife. 2 You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst.3 For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 I have decided to turn such a person over to Satan for the destruction of his body, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.”
Immorality of such a kind: The particular situation present in Corinth was shocking to Paul. This particular incident, a man having sexual relations with his father’s wife, was not even a behavior present amongst heathens. This context explains Paul’s drastic actions taken against the sinful individual.
Become arrogant: The individual was not dealt with properly. In Paul’s mind there ought to be mourning on the part of the sinful individual so as to bring about repentance. Likewise, the church was seen by Paul as arrogant because they had not expelled this person from their midst. Such an action would have protected the church from association with the heathen lifestyle.
Have already judged: Paul is not afraid of judging those within the church. Paul’s judgment is not an extension of God’s judgment and condemnation. Instead, Paul’s judgment is designed to protect the church from moral pollution. But none of this is a substitute for Paul’s love for the individual as we see in 2 Corinthians.
Deliver such a person to Satan: Paul’s response to the immorality is to have the man banned from the church for a time that he may find repentance and act like the saved individual that he is. Notice that Paul views this man as a Christian whose spirit will be saved on the day of judgment. Yet this person was not living according to his identity.
