How does Leviticus 18:8 relate to the situation in 1 Corinthians 5:1? Setting the Scene “ ‘You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.’ ” (Leviticus 18:8) “ It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.” (1 Corinthians 5:1) Leviticus 18:8—A Clear Boundary • God speaks directly, placing an unequivocal fence around the step-parent relationship. • The sin is labeled “dishonor”—not merely a private failing, but a public disgrace against the father, the family, and the covenant community. • The broader context of Leviticus 18 lists forbidden unions that defile the land (vv. 24-30), underlining that this command is moral, not ceremonial. 1 Corinthians 5:1—A Startling Breach • Paul identifies the exact violation Leviticus forbids: “A man has his father’s wife.” • Shock factor: even the surrounding pagan culture recoiled, yet the church tolerated it (v. 2). • Paul’s strong language (“intolerable”) shows that Scripture’s moral boundaries remain intact under the New Covenant. Why Paul Echoes Leviticus • Same God, same standard—Paul assumes his readers know the Torah’s prohibition. • By citing the community’s horror, Paul highlights how Scripture’s authority should have pre-empted any debate. • The apostle applies Leviticus to: – Preserve the church’s purity (vv. 6-8). – Protect the offender’s soul through discipline (v. 5). – Guard the testimony of Christ in a watching world (v. 1). Other Passages Reinforcing the Link • Deuteronomy 27:20—“Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he has uncovered his father’s skirt.” • Deuteronomy 22:30—“A man is not to marry his father’s wife; he must not dishonor his father’s bed.” • Hebrews 13:4—“Marriage must be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled.” • 1 Timothy 5:20—Public sin, when left unchecked, harms the whole body. • 2 Corinthians 2:6-8—After repentance, restoration is urged, showing discipline’s redemptive goal. Timeless Takeaways • God’s moral boundaries do not shift with culture; they arise from His unchanging character. • Tolerating known sin harms both the sinner and the church’s witness. • Loving discipline, rooted in Scripture, aims at repentance and restoration. |
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