How should Christians apply 1 Corinthians 5:13 in modern church discipline? Canonical Text and Immediate Context “God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked man from among you.’” (1 Corinthians 5:13) The clause is Paul’s Spirit-inspired quotation of Deuteronomy 17:7, 19:19, 22:21, 24:7 LXX. In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul confronts blatant immorality inside the assembly—a man cohabiting with his father’s wife (v. 1). Verses 9-12 clarify that the expulsion targets unrepentant professing believers, not unbelievers in general. Verse 5 frames the purpose: “hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.” Theological Rationale for Discipline 1. God’s Holiness. The church is God’s dwelling (1 Corinthians 3:16-17); impurity tolerated within profanes His temple. 2. Covenant Identity. Borrowing the Old-Covenant formula “purge the evil,” Paul shows continuity: God disciplines His covenant people for their own good (Hebrews 12:10). 3. Missional Witness. Tolerated sin leavens the whole lump (1 Corinthians 5:6-8); public holiness authenticates gospel proclamation (Philippians 2:15). 4. Redemptive Aim. Discipline is medicinal, not merely punitive—intended to bring the offender to repentance and ultimate salvation (1 Corinthians 5:5; 2 Corinthians 2:6-8). Historical Practice • Acts 5: Ananias and Sapphira’s summary judgment demonstrates early apostolic discipline. • Didache 4.13; 15.3-4 instruct congregations to reprove and, if necessary, shun the unrepentant for two or three days. • Fourth-century canons (e.g., Council of Nicaea, canon 5) formalized gradations of exclusion and restoration. The consistent thread is temporary exclusion coupled with a defined path back. Principles for Modern Application 1. Clarity of Membership – Discipline presupposes a regenerate, covenant-committed membership. Churches must clearly articulate expectations at the front end (Acts 2:41-42). 2. Due Process – Matthew 18:15-17 supplies the procedural backbone: private reproof → one or two witnesses → telling it to the church. Paul assumes that sequence is complete when public removal occurs. 3. Elders as Shepherd-Judges – 1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:9 assign elders the task of exhorting in sound doctrine and refuting contradiction, providing spiritual and procedural oversight. 4. Congregational Ratification – “When you are assembled …” (1 Corinthians 5:4) indicates the gathered body affirms the action, guarding against autocracy. 5. Proportionality – Galatians 6:1 commands gentleness. Lesser sins and first offenses generally warrant admonition or temporary suspension of privileges, not immediate expulsion. 6. Visibility of Offense – Public, scandalous, or persistent sin is addressed publicly (1 Timothy 5:20). Private failures may be handled privately. 7. Goal of Restoration – Announce a clear path: confession, observable repentance, pastoral accountability, reaffirmation of love (2 Corinthians 2:8). Forms of Discipline • Verbal Warning (2 Thessalonians 3:15) • Formal Admonition (Titus 3:10) • Suspension from Communion/Ministry Service (2 Thessalonians 3:6) • Removal from Membership/Fellowship—“expel” (1 Corinthians 5:13) • Civil Referral when Crimes Are Involved (Romans 13:1-4) Offenses Commonly Warranting Discipline Moral: sexual immorality, habitual drunkenness, financial fraud (1 Corinthians 5:11). Doctrinal: denial of core gospel truths (Galatians 1:8-9; 2 John 9-11). Schismatic: divisiveness after two warnings (Titus 3:10). Abusive Conduct: predatory behavior, domestic violence—both sin and crime. Pastoral Care Throughout the Process Offender: Assign a mature member or elder for weekly meetings, Scripture, prayer, counseling resources. Congregation: Teach on grace and discipline simultaneously to prevent self-righteousness (Galatians 6:3). Victims: Provide trauma-informed counseling and, when needed, legal protection; discipline is not a substitute for reporting crime. Restoration Protocol 1. Evidence of godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10-11) 2. Ceasing the sin and reversing damage where possible (Luke 19:8) 3. Affirmation by elders and congregation (2 Corinthians 2:6-8) 4. Reinstatement to membership and ordinances, often with a probationary period for accountability. Safeguarding Against Abuse Scripture forbids lording it over the flock (1 Peter 5:3). Safeguards: multiple elders, transparent minutes, right of appeal to regional associations, and, when necessary, civil authorities. Interaction with Civil Law Romans 13:1-4 and 1 Peter 2:13-14 require reporting illegal acts (e.g., child abuse). Spiritual discipline complements but never replaces legal justice. Common Objections Addressed “Unloving?” – Hebrews 12:6 says love disciplines. “Judging?” – 1 Corinthians 5:12 commands internal judgment; James 4:11 forbids slander, not righteous adjudication. “Driving people away?” – Biblical discipline aims to draw true believers back (2 Corinthians 2:8); false professors departing merely reveal their state (1 John 2:19). Practical Encouragement for Churches Regular preaching on holiness, covenant membership classes, written polity, and elder training foster a culture where discipline is rare but understood and effective. When implemented biblically, churches report higher trust, restored marriages, and reclaimed prodigals—modern parallels to the Corinthian man who, according to most commentators, repented by 2 Corinthians 2. Conclusion 1 Corinthians 5:13 mandates decisive yet compassionate action against unrepentant sin within the church. Properly applied, it protects God’s reputation, purifies the congregation, rescues the offender, and adorns the gospel in a watching world. |
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