Unbelievable!
-4-
I Corinthians 4:8-21 and 5:1-13
Paul has just said in verse 7 … grow up and stop your childish bragging. Everything you are and have has come from God as a gift, therefore you have nothing to boast about. Boasting generally is done by people who have really done something fantastic, and that is Biblically wrong. But boasting about something that was given to you is even worse. (As in boasting about something inherited, like one's facial features for instance.)
Paul's next statement take a bit of a turn.
The teachers/elders in Corinth were many. Remembering that a house-church grows by splitting into two, and we have no record of how many times these churches have split, we can only estimate. Very likely there could have existed 20 or 30 of each 'denomination'. (Paul churches, Apollos churches, Peter churches and Jesus churches, and maybe some that Paul did not happen to mention). Each one would have an Elder/pastor.
I think the next verse is addressing the leadership. Paul is using irony. (sarcasm)
I could paraphrase an opening remark; “You (leaders) really think you are special. You are so rich! You think you are some kind of kings or something! Well, you are not.” (“You wish!”)
“Compare what you think you are … with what we are”. And he gives this list in verses 9 – 13. And remembering how Paul started this chapter … Apollos and I are GOD'S MINISTERS (servants). We don't have to dress like, and talk like kings.
They should be ashamed of their selves, right? But Paul says, “No. I am not saying this to make you ashamed of yourselves.” (14-16). What purpose would it serve to make them ashamed of themselves? Instead Paul wants them to treasure and appreciate what they have been given by God. In verse 16 he says, Just follow me. There are many preachers and teachers who don't say that, or can't say that … because they are not following God closely themselves.
Paul is writing this letter from Ephesus, where he is presently ministering. Timothy is there working with Paul. Paul likely feels the need to go to Corinth (not a terribly great distance) and fix things. But he can't get away. “Timothy”, he says, “Will come in my place to set things straight”. Paul actually wanted Apollos to join Timothy so the two of them could work in agreement with each other and be more effective. As I mentioned last time, Apollos declined1.
Paul has heard that a lot of these leaders have an attitude. They are mouthy, saying, “Paul won't come here. It's just talk.”
But to set the record straight he says, “I AM coming for a visit. Should I come to discipline or to praise?”
“Do I need to bring a big stick?”
And in his next breath … it as if he says, “By the way … I heard something else … something really horrible. Unbelievable!” (1 Cor. 5:1)
It is actually reported
Reported? By whom? This goes back to Chapter 1:11. News from Chloe … a family from Corinth. Is she spreading gossip? What is gossip? It is casual conversations or reports about other people that have no constructive purpose for the one being discussed. Chloe has a good reason for reporting this … It has to stop. It is destroying the church. Paul is the one that she believes could fix this. We need to be wise like Chloe and only repeat a thing if doing so is part of the solution.
The King James uses the words, commonly reported. This means the report she is about to give is 'common knowledge'.
that there is sexual immorality among you,
Now, whose business is that? Is your sexual behavior anyone's business? Generally speaking, sins of a sexual nature are often private and secret. The following verse makes a distinction between private and public sin.
1Timothy 5:24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some follow later.
The sexual immorality about which Chloe is speaking is public knowledge. By the way, what is sexual immorality?
I think it is easier to say what is NOT sexual immorality. This verse states it clearly.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Sexual intercourse outside of marriage is fornication or sexual immorality. It is unclean, dirty and sinful. Our local culture in our generation is plagued with it. Teenagers think sex is OK as long as it is 'safe'. Adults think that sex with some other consenting adult is OK … if they love each other. Even Christians today think that divorce is OK if the couple stops loving one another.
Are we aware of this scripture? Malachi 2:16 "For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce,
We have invented many ways to get around this verse. But in the long run, we are really presuming on the grace of God to forgive us.
But what about the sexual immorality of the Corinthian church? (back to 5:1)
and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife!
And you are 'puffed up'! Proud of it.
What is he saying? The Corinthian church, made up of many mini house churches … with various '
denominational' groups … had, in one of the house churches, a man who has taken up a relationship with his father's wife. This is probably not his mother, or the scriptures would have just said that.
Now, if this was occurring in an 'Apollos' church … imagine what those of the 'Paul' churches are saying. The criticizing, the condemning, the derision would have no end! What is the response of the Apollos church? They got defensive. They maintained that there was nothing wrong with this. They, according to Paul … were puffed up … actually proud of this guy! Unbelievable!
Is this church still one of God's churches or has He disowned them by now?
Is it possible for God to disown a church? Yes, very sadly, it certainly is.
Let's read about it in Revelations 2 and 3. Seven churches are mentioned there, but I will comment on only one of them.
A little backdrop to the chapters: The writer, John, in about the year 95 or so, has just had a VISION of Jesus. In the vision he sees Jesus walking about in a circle of 7 lampstands. When John needs to know the meaning of the vision, it is explained to him. Each lampstand represents a singular church. Jesus is the 'light of the world'.2 He said, For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Mt 18:20)
That is, where two or three are gathered together IN HIS NAME, he is the lampstand. His presence in the group makes it a 'church'. There are a lot of groups that are not churches. In most cases, the group never intended to be a church. They may a local service organization, but they are not a church. God says that it is HIS arrangement to receive glory in and through a local church3. Outside of Him, all our good works are as 'filthy rags'. When those same caring deeds are done INSIDE4 (or at the initiative of) His church, the works are beautiful, lasting and they bring Him glory.5
So to illustrate that, I draw your attention to these verses:
Revelation 2:1 ¶ "To the angel (the messenger/ the overseer, the pastor) of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place— —unless you repent.
I notice that this church does not have in it a man living with his father's wife. There is no mention of divisiveness. And yet there is a serious warning. What is the warning? “I will remove the lampstand.” Is that bad? Very. It means the church would cease to exist as a church, even though they continue to exist as a service organization. What is the big thing that would bring about this judgment on them? Even though they are labouring IN JESUS' NAME, they have left their FIRST love. What is the FIRST love? It is JESUS the saviour, not JESUS the caregiver. It is evangelism that has been forgotten in all the busyness of the helping and serving. God does not like that. For some reason, in spite of all the bad and sinful problems in the Corinthian church … the lampstand is still there.
So, it is possible for God to 'disown' a church. But in spite of all the bad we see in the various Corinthian house churches, obviously there is still good, evangelism-centered ministry going on within some of them … so that there is no mention of God “Pulling out His Lampstand” and un-churching them.
What is Paul's assessment and judgment in the matter of this horrible sexual immorality in the church? (1Co 5:3-5) In a public meeting they were to agree together to:
Wow. Sounds really serious, right?6
Jesus gave 'tune-up' instructions that have 4 stages. What Paul is commanding here is a jump right to stage 4.
Here is what Jesus said,
15 ¶ "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. (Stage 1)
16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ (Stage 2)
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; (stage 3) and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.(stage 4)
18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Paul says … Turn him over to Satan. This means put him outside the church. This has been called excommunication, dis-fellowshiping, Shunning, excluding, etc.
Paul mentions only one good thing about what would happen to this man in the end … his spirit would be saved.
Paul mentions in the next verses what the purpose is for the church: It is called 'purging out the leaven'. Getting the yeast out of a batch of dough is impossible. But in this instance, that is the best they could do. In verse 8 Paul gives a spiritual lesson: Leaven is a picture of sin. Sin, like yeast, will permeate the whole church. The church is to be 'yeast-free' … and this we symbolise when we 'keep the feast', the Lord's supper, using unleavened bread. Churches in this country often are very lacking in keeping the church 'yeast-free'.
How separate do we need to be from sexually immoral people? (verse 9)
The world is full of such people. Do you stay separate from them? Paul says that is not possible. (1co 5:10)
He gives us two important words: Inside and Outside. In verse 11 he says, IF A BROTHER is sexually immoral, etc. That is … a Believer. A Christian … then have no dealings with them. These are called people on the INSIDE. He goes on to say that it is our place, our job, our responsibility to JUDGE them. We judge those on the inside. God judges those on the OUTSIDE. … So put this person OUT … that is our judgment. Now He is OUT and God will judge him.
As a matter of fact, this is exactly what took place. The Corinthian church actually obeyed this command of Paul's. They put him out. But they thought he was out for the rest of his life. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians instructing them to let the man back IN. Apparently he repented of his sin.7
When we have to put a person out of the church, it is like separating a sheep from a flock. If the animal that you separate was not a sheep at all, it will be made very clear to him and he may or may not want salvation. If he was indeed a sheep … he will be very uncomfortable to be out there under the attack of Satan, who is the roaring lion … and he will run back to the sheep-fold where he knows he belongs.
Church discipline is highly unpopular in our culture. But without it, a well tuned church is unlikely. What is the first step toward a 'self-disciplining' holy church? I believe it is to forever retain the ability to be shocked and un-accepting of behavior that clearly belongs to the ungodly. Unbelievable!!
1 1Co 16:12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.
2 John 8:12 ¶ When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 9:5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
3 Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
4 This much the same as the comment on sexual behavior. Outside of marriage it is dirty, filthy. Inside of marriage it is holy.
5 Eph 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
6 God Himself 'tuned-up' the newly empowered church shortly after the day of Pentecost by taking out Ananias and Sapphira.
7 2Co 2:6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
Paul's next statement take a bit of a turn.
The teachers/elders in Corinth were many. Remembering that a house-church grows by splitting into two, and we have no record of how many times these churches have split, we can only estimate. Very likely there could have existed 20 or 30 of each 'denomination'. (Paul churches, Apollos churches, Peter churches and Jesus churches, and maybe some that Paul did not happen to mention). Each one would have an Elder/pastor.
I think the next verse is addressing the leadership. Paul is using irony. (sarcasm)
I could paraphrase an opening remark; “You (leaders) really think you are special. You are so rich! You think you are some kind of kings or something! Well, you are not.” (“You wish!”)
“Compare what you think you are … with what we are”. And he gives this list in verses 9 – 13. And remembering how Paul started this chapter … Apollos and I are GOD'S MINISTERS (servants). We don't have to dress like, and talk like kings.
They should be ashamed of their selves, right? But Paul says, “No. I am not saying this to make you ashamed of yourselves.” (14-16). What purpose would it serve to make them ashamed of themselves? Instead Paul wants them to treasure and appreciate what they have been given by God. In verse 16 he says, Just follow me. There are many preachers and teachers who don't say that, or can't say that … because they are not following God closely themselves.
Paul is writing this letter from Ephesus, where he is presently ministering. Timothy is there working with Paul. Paul likely feels the need to go to Corinth (not a terribly great distance) and fix things. But he can't get away. “Timothy”, he says, “Will come in my place to set things straight”. Paul actually wanted Apollos to join Timothy so the two of them could work in agreement with each other and be more effective. As I mentioned last time, Apollos declined1.
Paul has heard that a lot of these leaders have an attitude. They are mouthy, saying, “Paul won't come here. It's just talk.”
But to set the record straight he says, “I AM coming for a visit. Should I come to discipline or to praise?”
“Do I need to bring a big stick?”
And in his next breath … it as if he says, “By the way … I heard something else … something really horrible. Unbelievable!” (1 Cor. 5:1)
It is actually reported
Reported? By whom? This goes back to Chapter 1:11. News from Chloe … a family from Corinth. Is she spreading gossip? What is gossip? It is casual conversations or reports about other people that have no constructive purpose for the one being discussed. Chloe has a good reason for reporting this … It has to stop. It is destroying the church. Paul is the one that she believes could fix this. We need to be wise like Chloe and only repeat a thing if doing so is part of the solution.
The King James uses the words, commonly reported. This means the report she is about to give is 'common knowledge'.
that there is sexual immorality among you,
Now, whose business is that? Is your sexual behavior anyone's business? Generally speaking, sins of a sexual nature are often private and secret. The following verse makes a distinction between private and public sin.
1Timothy 5:24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some follow later.
The sexual immorality about which Chloe is speaking is public knowledge. By the way, what is sexual immorality?
I think it is easier to say what is NOT sexual immorality. This verse states it clearly.
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
Sexual intercourse outside of marriage is fornication or sexual immorality. It is unclean, dirty and sinful. Our local culture in our generation is plagued with it. Teenagers think sex is OK as long as it is 'safe'. Adults think that sex with some other consenting adult is OK … if they love each other. Even Christians today think that divorce is OK if the couple stops loving one another.
Are we aware of this scripture? Malachi 2:16 "For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce,
We have invented many ways to get around this verse. But in the long run, we are really presuming on the grace of God to forgive us.
But what about the sexual immorality of the Corinthian church? (back to 5:1)
and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife!
And you are 'puffed up'! Proud of it.
What is he saying? The Corinthian church, made up of many mini house churches … with various '
denominational' groups … had, in one of the house churches, a man who has taken up a relationship with his father's wife. This is probably not his mother, or the scriptures would have just said that.
Now, if this was occurring in an 'Apollos' church … imagine what those of the 'Paul' churches are saying. The criticizing, the condemning, the derision would have no end! What is the response of the Apollos church? They got defensive. They maintained that there was nothing wrong with this. They, according to Paul … were puffed up … actually proud of this guy! Unbelievable!
Is this church still one of God's churches or has He disowned them by now?
Is it possible for God to disown a church? Yes, very sadly, it certainly is.
Let's read about it in Revelations 2 and 3. Seven churches are mentioned there, but I will comment on only one of them.
A little backdrop to the chapters: The writer, John, in about the year 95 or so, has just had a VISION of Jesus. In the vision he sees Jesus walking about in a circle of 7 lampstands. When John needs to know the meaning of the vision, it is explained to him. Each lampstand represents a singular church. Jesus is the 'light of the world'.2 He said, For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Mt 18:20)
That is, where two or three are gathered together IN HIS NAME, he is the lampstand. His presence in the group makes it a 'church'. There are a lot of groups that are not churches. In most cases, the group never intended to be a church. They may a local service organization, but they are not a church. God says that it is HIS arrangement to receive glory in and through a local church3. Outside of Him, all our good works are as 'filthy rags'. When those same caring deeds are done INSIDE4 (or at the initiative of) His church, the works are beautiful, lasting and they bring Him glory.5
So to illustrate that, I draw your attention to these verses:
Revelation 2:1 ¶ "To the angel (the messenger/ the overseer, the pastor) of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:
2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
3 "and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.
4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place— —unless you repent.
I notice that this church does not have in it a man living with his father's wife. There is no mention of divisiveness. And yet there is a serious warning. What is the warning? “I will remove the lampstand.” Is that bad? Very. It means the church would cease to exist as a church, even though they continue to exist as a service organization. What is the big thing that would bring about this judgment on them? Even though they are labouring IN JESUS' NAME, they have left their FIRST love. What is the FIRST love? It is JESUS the saviour, not JESUS the caregiver. It is evangelism that has been forgotten in all the busyness of the helping and serving. God does not like that. For some reason, in spite of all the bad and sinful problems in the Corinthian church … the lampstand is still there.
So, it is possible for God to 'disown' a church. But in spite of all the bad we see in the various Corinthian house churches, obviously there is still good, evangelism-centered ministry going on within some of them … so that there is no mention of God “Pulling out His Lampstand” and un-churching them.
What is Paul's assessment and judgment in the matter of this horrible sexual immorality in the church? (1Co 5:3-5) In a public meeting they were to agree together to:
- deliver him to Satan
- For the 'destruction of his flesh'
- and the salvation of his spirit at the final judgment.
Wow. Sounds really serious, right?6
Jesus gave 'tune-up' instructions that have 4 stages. What Paul is commanding here is a jump right to stage 4.
Here is what Jesus said,
15 ¶ "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. (Stage 1)
16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ (Stage 2)
17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; (stage 3) and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.(stage 4)
18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
Paul says … Turn him over to Satan. This means put him outside the church. This has been called excommunication, dis-fellowshiping, Shunning, excluding, etc.
Paul mentions only one good thing about what would happen to this man in the end … his spirit would be saved.
Paul mentions in the next verses what the purpose is for the church: It is called 'purging out the leaven'. Getting the yeast out of a batch of dough is impossible. But in this instance, that is the best they could do. In verse 8 Paul gives a spiritual lesson: Leaven is a picture of sin. Sin, like yeast, will permeate the whole church. The church is to be 'yeast-free' … and this we symbolise when we 'keep the feast', the Lord's supper, using unleavened bread. Churches in this country often are very lacking in keeping the church 'yeast-free'.
How separate do we need to be from sexually immoral people? (verse 9)
The world is full of such people. Do you stay separate from them? Paul says that is not possible. (1co 5:10)
He gives us two important words: Inside and Outside. In verse 11 he says, IF A BROTHER is sexually immoral, etc. That is … a Believer. A Christian … then have no dealings with them. These are called people on the INSIDE. He goes on to say that it is our place, our job, our responsibility to JUDGE them. We judge those on the inside. God judges those on the OUTSIDE. … So put this person OUT … that is our judgment. Now He is OUT and God will judge him.
As a matter of fact, this is exactly what took place. The Corinthian church actually obeyed this command of Paul's. They put him out. But they thought he was out for the rest of his life. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians instructing them to let the man back IN. Apparently he repented of his sin.7
When we have to put a person out of the church, it is like separating a sheep from a flock. If the animal that you separate was not a sheep at all, it will be made very clear to him and he may or may not want salvation. If he was indeed a sheep … he will be very uncomfortable to be out there under the attack of Satan, who is the roaring lion … and he will run back to the sheep-fold where he knows he belongs.
Church discipline is highly unpopular in our culture. But without it, a well tuned church is unlikely. What is the first step toward a 'self-disciplining' holy church? I believe it is to forever retain the ability to be shocked and un-accepting of behavior that clearly belongs to the ungodly. Unbelievable!!
1 1Co 16:12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.
2 John 8:12 ¶ When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 9:5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
3 Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
4 This much the same as the comment on sexual behavior. Outside of marriage it is dirty, filthy. Inside of marriage it is holy.
5 Eph 2:10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
6 God Himself 'tuned-up' the newly empowered church shortly after the day of Pentecost by taking out Ananias and Sapphira.
7 2Co 2:6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.