1 Corinthians 5-7

1 Corinthians 5 – 6:1-8 – Judging Sin and Disputes

Paul confronts the Corinthian believers with actual reports he had received.  There was a man in the church who was having sex with his step-mother.  This was against Jewish and Roman law.  He was disgusted with this situation, but they seemed to be proud of the man’s actions.  They probably thought as a Christian, they had freedom from the law and it didn’t really matter.  Paul told them they should punish the man by making him leave the church.  This may make him realize his sin and then he would ask for forgiveness. 

Paul told them to not associate with immoral people who call themselves Christians - people who are sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.  Christians are to judge those inside the church and God will judge those outside the church.  When Christians continually do wrong things, they must be removed from the church (1 Corin. 5:5, Deut. 17:17; 24:7).  That may seem harsh, but the goal is for redemption.  God’s will in discipline is never hate, only love.  God wants purity in the church.  Believers are set apart from the world and should act differently.  Naming a sin in agreement with God’s Word is wise, never wrong.  If people like this are left in the church, they can corrupt others.   They would be no different from those of the world.

We are not to judge unbelievers, because only God knows their hearts.  We are to trust God to judge unbelievers.  It’s right to judge those who claim to be Christians yet practice sin.  Otherwise, sin may destroy the congregation and its witness.

What sin do you bring to church -- pride, gossip, criticism, entitlement? 

Is there a sin that keeps coming up?  Bring the power of the cross to that sin.  You must give it to Him.  It will be taken away by His power not yours.

Paul gave instructions to believers about lawsuits.  The Corinthians were suing fellow believers over frivolous matters and doing it for all the world to see in the courts of the ungodly.  He said Believers should not bring lawsuits against another believer.  It should be settled among believers.  Believers were to judge those inside the church and not those on the outside.  Some day they will judge angels so they ought to be able to settle disputes among themselves.  He said they are very capable to judge each other.  Paul told them it was bad to bring a lawsuit and that it would be better to accept wrong and be defrauded. (1 Corin. 6:1-8).  Christians are to be known for their love, not their rights.

Principle:  God calls His people to fight sin.

1 Corinthians 6:9-20 – Lack of Purity

Paul warned the Christians in Corinth against mistaking freedom in Christ as power to continue sinful behaviors.  If they continued in sin, they were in danger of judgment.  He said the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God.  “Do not be deceived:  Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offender nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” – 1 Corin. 6:9-10.  There is hope.  He continued, “And that is what some of you were.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” – 1 Corin. 6:11.

Paul said, “Everything is permissible for me” – but not everything is beneficial.” – 1 Corin. 6:12.  This statement can be confusing.  It means that Christians are free people because of their relationship with Christ (Rom. 8:1-2).  Christians are free from sin’s bondage.  God’s purpose is not to control people.  He gives everyone free choice.  We may be free, but some want to do the wrong things.  Christian liberty is not an open excuse for any behavior or attitude.  After you are saved, the Holy Spirit should guide your live.   A mature Christian wants to do whatever God wants him to do.

Paul told them the body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.  Their bodies were members of Christ Himself.  He told them to flee from sexual immorality.  All other sins are committed are outside the body, but sexually sins are against his own body.  Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  (1 Corin. 6:12-20).

Paul doesn’t say to be brave and resist lustful desires, but to flee from its presence.  We should follow the example of Joseph in Gen. 39 and run from temptation.  He doesn’t say flee sex, only sexual immorality.  God gave sex for bonding a husband and wife in marriage.  Sexual immorality works against God’s purpose.  Sexual immorality means more than sex outside marriage.  It means flee from sexual gratification from pornography found on the internet, movies, books, and magazines.

Because our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, we belong to God.  You are not your own, because you were bought at a price.  Honor God with your body.

For whom does your body belong?

Principle:  We are to glorify God with our body, because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 7 – The Marriage Question

Since the Corinthians were confused by the immorality around them, Paul told them it was better not to marry, unless they cannot control their sexual desires.  This might make them give in to sexual immorality.  He knew those who marry would face many troubles in life.  Marriage is hard work.  He said if you do want to get married, you should think long and hard about it.  Make sure you know the other person seeing them in all kinds of situations.  Marriage is not between 2 people, but between husband, wife and God.  For more on marriage see Ephesians 5:21-33 and Colossians 3:18-19.

A man should have 1 wife and a wife should have 1 husband.  Paul advises that husbands and wives should fulfill marital duties.  Her body doesn’t belong to her but to her husband and the same for the husband.  They should not deprive each other so Satan will not tempt them.  If the unbelieving partner chooses to leave, the Christian must let him go.  He said that it is good for the unmarried and widows to stay unmarried unless they can’t control themselves.  A wife must not separate from her husband.  If she does she must remain unmarried and a husband must not divorce his wife.

Paul seems to not like marriage at all.  Some believe that Paul was likely to have been married at one time.  He had been a member of the Sanhedrin and one of the requirements was to be married.  In 1 Corin. 7:33-35 Paul explained that being unattached is better for a Christian so they may serve the Lord without distraction.  Then a believer’s entire life can be absorbed in service to the Lord.  So is marriage a good thing?  Of course.  It was instituted by God in a perfect world, but it’s not for everyone.  If you are gifted with singleness, you can serve Him wholeheartedly while not having to worry about neglecting a family.  Just remember God should be the center of your life whether married or single.  Both marriage and singleness are gifts from God.  I think Paul was totally devoted to spreading the gospel as God had called him to do.  So when you think about it.  He had no time for marriage.

How will you use your marriage status for His purposes? 

What about divorce?  Here are some Bible verses on this subject:  Luke 16:18; 1 Corin. 7:10-11, 15; Matt. 5:31-32; 19:3-9; Rom. 7:2; Malachi 2:16.  God doesn’t command but does allow for divorce of two Christians when one severed the union through sexual immorality.  If you find that you have sinned in this area, remember God forgives sins.  If you are struggling in your marriage, stay in His Word and on your knees in prayer asking God for guidance.  He will guide and comfort you, give you strength and can change your hopeless situation.  If He doesn’t change you situation, He will use it for your good.

Principle:  God’s gifts fully satisfy.

This chapter addresses the most intimate of relationships that people experience.  Maybe it makes you feel unloved and uncomfortable.  You may be struggling in marriage or in celibacy.  Remember God grieves with you.  He offers peace and hope.  If you have sinned or have concerns in your relationship, seek prayer and counsel from your church pastor.  Trust God to develop in you right relationships with others.

Join me here next week as we continue our study of 1 Corinthians  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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