1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Chapter Summary

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul confronts a serious issue in the Corinthian church: tolerating open sin. A man in the church was involved in a sinful relationship with his stepmother, and instead of mourning over this sin, the church was proud and complacent about it. Paul rebukes them for their lack of accountability and instructs them to remove the unrepentant person from their fellowship so that he might come to repentance.

Paul uses the example of yeast in dough, warning that sin spreads like leaven. If left unchecked, it will corrupt the entire body of believers. He reminds them that they are called to live in holiness, as Christ, our Passover Lamb, has made them new.

Finally, Paul clarifies that while believers should not judge non-Christians, they are responsible for maintaining purity within the church. He instructs them to distance themselves from professing believers who live in open sin, so that the church remains a place of holiness and truth.

Sin Must Be Taken Seriously

The Corinthians were ignoring sin in their church, but Paul reminds them that unchecked sin damages the whole community. We must address sin with truth and love.

Accountability Leads to Repentance

Paul instructs them to remove the unrepentant man not to condemn him, but to wake him up to his need for repentance. Sometimes, tough love is needed to bring someone back to God.

We Are Called to Live in Holiness

As believers, we are set apart. This doesn’t mean we avoid the world, but it does mean we hold each other accountable to live in a way that honors Christ.

Do I take sin seriously in my own life, or do I allow compromises that weaken my relationship with God?

Ask God to reveal areas where you need to seek repentance and renewal.

Am I willing to lovingly hold others accountable in my church and friendships, even when it’s uncomfortable?

True love means speaking the truth. How can you encourage others toward holiness?

Do I live in a way that reflects being set apart for Christ, or do I blend in with the world?

Consider how your lifestyle demonstrates your faith to those around you.

“Lord, help me to take sin seriously, not only in my own life but also in my church and relationships. Give me the courage to speak truth in love and to pursue holiness as You have called me to. Keep me from pride, and remind me that Your grace leads to true transformation. Thank You for making me new through Jesus. In His name, Amen.”