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! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. 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. 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, 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. (1 Co 5:1–5)
In this letter, Paul starts by telling us who he is and explaining why he is an apostle. Then, he talks about a big issue he heard about from Chloe's house - the problem of divisions in the church. From Chapter 1 to where we are now, Paul has taken us on an interesting journey to explain some important theological ideas. But we can say that the main focus has been on dealing with the divisions in the church. However, when we reach Chapter 5, there is a change in the topic Paul addresses.
Once again Paul makes reference to a “report” he read or heard. While we can’t be sure, we would again argue, it is reasonable to assume that it was the same report Paul makes reference to earlier, that’s right – the report the came from Chloe’s house.
Sexual Immorality
In the letter, Paul addresses a serious problem in the Corinthian church. He mentions that a man within the church is in an inappropriate relationship with his stepmother. This behavior is not acceptable, even in the surrounding non-Christian culture. Paul emphasizes its severity, indicating that even non-believers would consider it wrong. It's a strong accusation, and Paul wants the Corinthian church to address the situation seriously and promptly.
During those days in the Greco-Roman world, different cultures had different rules about relationships and actions. However, in this case, what the man was doing was considered taboo and immoral by almost everyone. When Paul says even non-believers wouldn't do such a thing, he means it's a very serious and unacceptable action, even by non-believers' standards. He cares deeply about the church's morals and wants them to be a shining example of living a good and honest life, regardless of others' behavior.
Throughout the letter, Paul repeatedly reminds the Corinthians about the importance of living pure and holy lives, whether married or single. He urges them to avoid immoral actions and honor God with their bodies and relationships. In one part (1 Corinthians 6:12-20), Paul stresses the need to stay away from any sexual immorality, explaining that our bodies are like holy places where the Holy Spirit resides, so we should keep them pure.
Paul also provides guidance on marriage and being single. He talks about the importance of faithfulness and the sacredness of marriage. He explains that being single can be advantageous for serving God more fully. In discussing marriage, he addresses the physical relationship between husbands and wives, stating that it's a normal and important part of marriage (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). In another part (1 Corinthians 10:8), Paul warns the Corinthians about the dangers of sexual immorality, citing an example from the past when the Israelites fell into sexual sin during their journey in the wilderness.
Overall, Paul's message is clear: to live a life that pleases God, the Corinthians must avoid any immoral behavior and remain pure in their actions and relationships. It's a call to uphold high moral standards and be a positive example to the world.
Division A Higher Priority?
What we find most interesting is how Paul deals with the "reports" coming from Chloe's house. Does Paul address the issues in the order they were presented to him? Or does he decide which problems are the most dangerous for the church? We can't be entirely sure since we only have Paul's response and not the original reports. However, we believe that Paul's main focus in this letter is on the problem of divisions within the church. He sees division as a bigger threat because it weakens the church's unity and strength. Without unity in spirit, purpose, and judgment, the church may struggle to carry out its mission and stay strong in its faith.
Paul starts his letter by directly addressing the issue of divisions in the church (1 Corinthians 1:10-13). He asks the Corinthians to be united and have the same mind and judgment. This shows that division was one of his main concerns from the beginning.
Although Paul also talks about sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 5, we need to understand that he discusses it in the context of dealing with divisions and the need for church discipline. Paul criticizes the man involved in the immoral relationship because it affects the whole community (1 Corinthians 5:2). The divisions within the Corinthian church were causing significant disruptions. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul deals with problems during the Lord's Supper, showing that division goes beyond just disagreements.
Throughout the letter, Paul keeps stressing the importance of unity among believers. In 1 Corinthians 12, he talks about the body of Christ and how each member is crucial for the church to function well. Without unity, the church wouldn't work properly.
Paul's main goal is the church's well-being and spiritual health. He knows that if the Corinthians aren't united in spirit, purpose, and judgment, they could fall apart and lose their effectiveness in sharing the gospel and being a positive example to others.
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