1 Corinthians (Written)

Saturday, 14 June 2014

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. 1 Corinthians 5:11

This verse explicitly lays out what we need to know concerning our relationships with immoral people within the church. Though Paul had no problem with believers being with people who are morally deficient who are not believers, he explicitly states here what our relationship towards immoral believers should be. He says, “But now I have written to you…” This is his doctrine and this is his direction. What is leaving the tip of his pen is to be considered as from the Lord because he is the apostle to the Gentiles and is speaking on the Lord’s behalf.

And his words are that we are “not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who….” In other words, a person who claims to be a saved believer in Jesus Christ. If they are named among the roles of believers, we are to consider them in a separate category than non-believers. They are being held to a specific standard which he will now continue with as he notes “who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner.”

From his list in the previous verse, he adds in two new categories which should be defined –

1) Reviler – This is a person who is vulgar in his words. His speech is coarse, angry, defiant, and abusive. Such a person has no problem vilifying others in their character, hurting people’s feelings through speech, and demeaning those around them. Such an attitude is opposite to Christ who “when He was reviled, did not revile in return” (1 Peter 2:23).

2) Drunkard – A drunkard is a person addicted to alcohol; not specifically any person who drinks alcohol. A drunkard has no restraint over his drinking; it has conquered him and his allegiance is to it and not to Christ. Concerning the moderate drinking of alcohol, there is nothing wrong with doing so. The entire body of Scripture bears this out. However, like any other thing there are limits which must be exercised. These will be discussed in detail in the coming chapters of 1 Corinthians.

Paul says that of such a person as is named in his list, they are not to keep company with them, nor “even to eat with such a person.” By fellowshipping with someone in this category who claims to be a brother, you then implicitly condone their behavior. They will feel justified, and those around them who witness the fellowshipping will be left with the impression that what they are doing is acceptable to you and within the body of believers.

It should be noted though that Paul terms them “believers.” He never questions their salvation, but assumes that they are saved. Never in his writings does he say a person can “lose” their salvation. Instead, they may suffer great harms in this life and great loss at the judgment. But their status as believers is left between them and the Lord Jesus.

The purpose of Paul’s words is not condemnation, but purity and holiness within the body and an attempt to bring about remorse and a change in the offenders. This is what is expected and this is what we should always strive for.

Life application: Who are we exalting? At what cost are we willing to bring discredit upon the name of the Lord? We must always consider what our words, actions, and associations will do and how they will appear in the eyes of others. Above all, we should strive to bring glory and honor to the name of Jesus Christ.

Lord God, how very far short of “holiness” I feel from day to day. Without thinking, I say things or do things which I am sure are displeasing to You and which diminish You in the eyes of others. Help me to think, in advance, of how my actions will be perceived and judged. Give me wisdom to stay away from corrupt actions and to fix my heart and attitude on purity and that which is honorable. This I pray for Your glory, O God. Amen.

Friday, 13 June 2014

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. 1 Corinthians 5:10

In the previous verse, it was noted that it wasn’t a stand alone verse. Paul had said, ” I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people.” If that were all he had said, one might be under the misguided impression that they had to hide themselves in a cave or go to a remote island with no people on it or some other place like that. Where else could one go to keep away from such people? And this is the false impression that is obtained when only that verse is cited.

However, Paul continues with his thoughts here and he will further refine them in the coming verses. His intent was not for believers to refrain from being around sexually immoral people, or people with any other such vile habits. How could the gospel spread if such were the case? Even Jesus ate with “tax collectors and sinners.” Christianity isn’t supposed to be conducted in walled fortresses. Instead it is to be proclaimed to those in the fallen world, such as –

To the sexually immoral – people who practice sexual acts outside of the bonds of marriage. This includes any of a host of perverse acts as well. It includes the vast majority of people in any given society. It is true that there are people who are faithful as spouses in any given culture, but if there are no limits imposed by God on how to conduct one’s affairs, sexual immorality quickly becomes a predominate trait in most societies.

To the covetous – Coveting is desiring something that someone else possesses. It is the greed of the heart which is not content with what one rightfully owns. It also doesn’t consider taking the time to earn what is desired. Instead it is a lust of the eyes for that which one has not been worked for or which has been rightly received, such as a gift or inheritance. It is an avaricious attitude which will eventually be realized in hatred, theft, murder, etc. if not reigned in.

To extortioners – Such are those who take advantage of others for illicit gain. They may charge high rates of repayment on loans, forced payment for “protection” which if not paid will end in any sort of punishment, etc. In this type, there is little consideration for others, but rather a rapacious desire to profit off anyone for any reason.

To idolaters – An idolater is one who puts anything or anyone before a right relationship with God. It can be a mere devotion or service to idols, such as is authorized even by some “Christian” denominations. It can be realized in prayers to or through any other person – such as praying to Mary or the saints. People can make almost anything into an idol – sex, money, gems, artwork, cars, sport teams or sports figures, etc. Idolatry includes the unhealthy devotion to anything or anyone which causes our hearts and affections to be directed away from God.

Paul tells those at Corinth that although they are not to keep company with such people, he didn’t mean that it included the people of the world. This is because if so, it would mean that they “would need to go out of the world.” This is obviously impossible. And so he will continue to explain what he meant in the verses ahead.

Life application: How is the gospel going to be shared by you if you isolate yourself in a room away from the wicked world? Someone took the time to share it with you. Now it’s your turn. God has you exactly where He desires you. So step out and share what you know. It could change eternity for someone else.

O God, I know that the world is a wicked place
And that I would be so safe behind a locked door
But how will the lost ever come to see Your face
In You I am so rich, but others are so poor

Give me the heart to step out and share this word
To talk to those who are bound by the devil’s hand
Give me boldness to tell about Jesus my Lord
So that they too can be saved to an eternity so grand 

Yes Lord God, if Jesus’ words are true that He is the only way to be reconciled to the Father, then I know that what I share about Him is of eternal significance to them. Give me boldness of speech, right thinking in how I convey the message, and a heartfelt attitude to follow up as You direct. Let me not be slack in my sharing of this wonderful message of salvation. Amen.

Thursday, 12 June 2014

I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 1 Corinthians 5:9

This verse is not a stand-alone verse. If one were to cite it as a stand alone, a false impression of what Paul intends will inevitably be the result. Unfortunately, it is often used in this way and thus it becomes a verse which is used as a tool to disgrace believers who have done nothing wrong. Context is always of paramount consideration when citing Scripture.

The words, “I wrote to you in my epistle” indicate that either he had written another letter to those in Corinth which is not included in the Bible, or that he is referring to what he just said in his previous thought in 5:4 and 5:5. Either way, in this he admonished them to send the sexually immoral offender out of the congregation.

What is important here concerning this not being a “stand alone” verse, is that Paul is reckoning the person who is to be expelled as a believer. Because he is a believer, keeping company with him would leave the perception that his actions were acceptable. These perceptions would be held by the offender and by those who saw the offender and who were unschooled in the Lord’s commands concerning sexual immorality.

As we will see, Paul will go on to make a distinction between socializing with believers and unbelievers and keeping “company with sexually immoral people.”

Life application: Context is king in interpreting the Bible. Anyone can form any doctrine by tearing verses out of their intended context. However, it takes study, care, and continued diligence to properly interpret and rightly divide the word of God based on context. Be approved! Considered context at all times.

Lord, Your word is a treasure and a most precious gem, but it takes care and study or it can be easily twisted to say anything anyone wishes. I would pray for wise discernment in order to ensure I am properly handling it, making certain that context is maintained, and for boldness to stand up for what is right and in accord with Your intent. Your Spirit has given it and so I know that I am accountable to it. Be with me as I read, study, teach, and preach this most precious gift. Amen.

Wednesday, 11 June 2014

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. 1 Corinthians 5:8

As was noted in the previous verse, the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread of the Old Testament pictured, or foreshadowed, the work of Christ. Paul claims their fulfillment is found in Him. As these were “Feasts of the Lord” (meaning Jehovah), the connection is obvious – Jesus Christ is Jehovah Incarnate. How people miss this is rather remarkable!

Because their fulfillment is found in Him and because we are “in Christ,” Paul says, “Therefore…” The coming words explain our duties based on our position in Him. And what does he detail for us then? He says, “Let us keep the feast.” In other words we could say, “because Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us, let us keep the rest of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.” It is a metaphor asking us to consider our position in Him, the sinless Lamb of God.

Christ is the fulfillment of the Passover. Because of His shed blood, God has “passed over” us and we are now found in Him. Because we are in Him, we should “keep the feast, not with old leaven.” What we once were and the way we once acted are no longer appropriate ways of conducting ourselves. If Christ had to die to redeem us, then there must have been a need for Him to die to redeem us! Why would we continue in a life that necessitated such an action. That old life consisted of “the leaven of malice and wickedness.”

This is certainly a reference to what necessitated his words in the first place – the man caught up in sexual immorality who is noted in verses 1-5 is being used as an example of such a debased life and it is a lifestyle which is contradictory to holy living in Christ. Instead of following such a path, Paul implores those in Corinth (and thus the church which remains to this day) that we should instead keep the feast “with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Jesus Christ is sinless;
We are in Christ;
Therefore, our conduct should be reflective of the sinless position we hold.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread, a Feast mandated by God for Israel 3500 years ago, pictured those in the church age who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ. We are living in the Feast and thus we should follow the example – holy living for those who have been declared sinless. Anything else would be contradictory to the honorable position to which we have been elevated.

Life application: The Old Testament isn’t a compilation of outdated and useless books. Instead, it is the very tool we need to fully understand the marvelous work of God in Christ – why we need Him, what His work entails, and how His work applies to us. Let us not forsake reading, studying, and sharing the whole counsel of God found in both testaments of the Bible.

Lord, help my heart not to be restless for anything but You. Help me to be satisfied with all that You have given me and not to lust after or covet things which I have no right to. I know that with food, clothing, and my Bible I have more than enough to be content. Along with these, You have given me so very much. I thank You for every blessing that has come my way. Let those things be sufficient to keep me from wanting more. Thank You for Your provision. Amen.

Tuesday, 10 June 2014

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. 1 Corinthians 5:7

Contained within the New Testament are extraordinary hints of the fulfillment of Old Testament shadows and pictures of Christ. This verse contains two of them which could be overlooked so easily and yet they are immensely deep in their theological significance. In chapter 23 of Leviticus, there is a list of the Feasts of the Lord. In order, they are:

Sabbath
Passover
Unleavened Bread
Firstfruits (Bikkurim)
Weeks (Shavuot/Pentecost)
Trumpets (Yom Teruah)
Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
Tabernacles (Sukkoth)

Paul notes in Colossians 2:16, 17 that these find their fulfillment in Christ –

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

As a validation of this, each and every one of them is found to be fulfilled in His work during His first advent. Today’s verse from 1 Corinthians gives us verification that two of them are fulfilled – Passover and Unleavened Bread. A detailed study of the other six feasts will demonstrate their fulfillment as well. Christ is the focus of all of Scripture. And all of Scripture testifies to His work.

Understanding this, we can now look at Paul’s words in how they pertain to the context of his surrounding thoughts. He begins by saying “therefore.” It is a term which asks us to contemplate what has thus far been said. In the previous verse, he said “a little leaven leavens the whole lump.” In order to ensure that the church isn’t tainted with bad doctrine or sinful practice, he now builds on that by saying “purge out the old leaven.” This is exactly what the Israelites were told to do at the Passover each year –

“For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.” Exodus 12:19, 20

The Old Testament body was given as physical examples which present spiritual truths. Leaven, picturing sin, is to be removed. This was to be practiced for the entire week of Unleavened Bread. The picture is thus fulfilled in Christ who was sinless and now we, who are in Him, are to purge out the leaven of sin in our lives so, as Paul says, “that you may be a new lump.” And he then explains why by saying, “since you truly are unleavened.”

In Christ, we are deemed as “sinless.” We are declared “not guilty” despite the reality of our fallen state. Paul explains this in 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19 –

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

Though we are still fallen and sin, those sins are not imputed because of Christ. But Paul would go further and ask us to live in the manner which is reflected by our status. We are to purge out the old leaven and to be a new lump. Along with Unleavened Bread, the symbolism from the Passover also finds its true fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This is noted as Paul continues by saying, “For indeed Christ our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

The celebration of these two feasts, Passover and Unleavened Bread were mere shadows of the greater work of Christ. In Him we find the fulfillment of all types and pictures from the Old Testament, including the fulfillment of all of the Feasts of the Lord.

Life application: Jesus claimed that all Scripture testifies to Him. By studying our Bible, we find this is true. He is the entire focus of the word of God. Be sure to read the Bible through the lens of Christ. When you do, it all makes sense.

Lord God, it is so wonderful to see that every story in the Bible points to the work of Jesus Christ. Every feast, every miracle, every noted person is used to show us pictures of Him. If you have used real people and real events to show us His work, then I know it is our duty and honor to search Him out in them. Open my eyes to see the wondrous beauty of Christ hidden as apples of gold in settings of silver. Thank You for the precious word which shows Jesus to me. Amen.