How does 1 Corinthians 5:4 emphasize the power of gathering in Jesus' name? Setting the Context • Corinthian believers faced blatant, unrepented sin in their midst. • Paul writes to instruct the church on how to deal with it, stressing unity and holiness. • Central to his counsel is the moment when the church comes together “in the name of our Lord Jesus.” Reading 1 Corinthians 5:4 “ When you are gathered in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of our Lord Jesus…” Gathered “In the Name of Our Lord Jesus”—Why It Matters • The phrase signals more than a casual meeting; it means assembling under Jesus’ authority, seeking His will, and depending on His presence. • Naming Jesus explicitly affirms His lordship over the gathering, turning an ordinary meeting into a sacred, Spirit-charged assembly. • Paul ties his own spiritual presence to theirs, showing that even distance cannot limit the unity created by gathering around Christ’s name. Spiritual Authority Released When We Assemble • “Along with the power of our Lord Jesus” – Paul links the assembled church directly to divine power. • Authority to discipline (vv. 3-5) is not human harshness; it is Jesus’ righteous authority executed through His body. • The church, united under Christ’s name, becomes the conduit for heaven’s verdict on sin—both protecting purity and offering ultimate restoration (v. 5, “that his spirit may be saved”). Supporting Passages on the Power of Jesus’ Name • Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in their midst.” The same promise stands behind 1 Corinthians 5:4. • Acts 4:30-31 – Believers pray “in the name of Your holy servant Jesus,” and the place is shaken; power follows when His name is invoked. • Philippians 2:9-11 – Every knee will bow at the name of Jesus; gathering under that name taps into the authority all creation will one day acknowledge. Practical Takeaways for Today • Assemble with clear, shared recognition of Jesus’ lordship; verbalize His name and purpose when you meet. • Expect His power—whether for discipline, restoration, or encouragement—because Scripture promises it. • Guard the church’s purity together, leaning on Christ’s authority rather than human opinion. • Remember that even remote or unseen believers (like Paul “in spirit”) are united with the local gathering when all stand under Jesus’ name. |
    |