Chapter Study & Analysis
Overview
1 Corinthians 5 addresses a specific case of gross immorality within the church. Paul commands the church to exercise discipline by removing the unrepentant member, comparing sin to "leaven" that can infect the entire lump.
CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS
1. The Necessity of Church Discipline: Ignoring sin in the community is not "grace" but a danger to the whole body (v. 6). Discipline is meant for the restoration of the soul and the purity of the church.
2. Purging the Leaven: We are called to keep the feast with the "unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (v. 8). This requires a commitment to personal and communal integrity.
3. Separation from Compromise: While we live in the world, we must not associate with those who claim to be brothers but live in blatant disobedience (v. 11), to preserve the testimony of Christ.
Practical Lessons
FORMAL PRAYER
O Holy God, who art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity: grant us the courage to maintain the purity of Thy Church. Help us to walk in sincerity and truth, putting away the leaven of malice and wickedness from among us. Amen.