1 Corinthians 5:6–13 - Deal with sin in the camp

In verses 6-8 Paul began to confront the spiritual state of the community. He told than that instead of boasting they should deal with the nature of evil that existed in their community. This evil nature, like yeast, had a dastardly diffusing effect on the community. Hence, they should remove the old yeast just like Israel did on the night of the Passover in order to celebrate their deliverance. For just like the Passover lamb, the death of Christ Jesus had freed them from their bondages. Therefore, they should discern their status in God’s redemptive work in their lives. The community must instil discipline with the purpose of purifying it. Believers should celebrate a liberated life characterized by sincerity and truth and not with the old nature of malice and wickedness.

 

Verse 9 suggests that Paul could have written them a letter not to associate with immoral people. It appears that they had misunderstood him. So he now explained his thoughts in verses 10 –13. Here he discussed how the church should deal with her members and outsiders. He made a distinction between the two categories of people. Paul wasn’t calling the believers to withdraw from their neighbors who were pagans. His call was for them not to associate with people within the community of believers who conducted an immorally lifestyle. Paul states that he was not referring to the people of the world. For the purity of the church has to do with internal discipline and not in being separated from the world. They should not even eat with such people as it would bring discredit to the family by their immoral behaviors. Paul reckoned that eating and fellowship with such people might tarnish the image of God’s holy community.  

 

Paul tells us that the responsibility of correcting her members was the church’s responsibility. Whereas the outsiders was for God to judge. The Corinthians must take care of their internal evil for that’s their responsibility.

 

Paul was calling for us to take a stand against sin. A holy life reflects God’s true nature. What kind of life than should we live? The answer is obvious!