What other Scriptures emphasize the need for purity within the church? The Call to Purity in 1 Corinthians 5:2 “And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and removed from your fellowship the man who did this?” Paul rebukes the Corinthian believers for tolerating open sin. His charge becomes a springboard for exploring other passages that press the same point: the gathered people of God must guard their purity. Jesus Sets the Standard for a Pure Church • Matthew 18:15-17 — Church discipline begins with private confrontation and, if unheeded, culminates in removal: “If he refuses to listen… treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” • John 15:2 — “He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit,” underlining God’s active pruning of unrepentant members. • Revelation 2:16 — To Pergamum: “Therefore repent! Otherwise I will come to you shortly and wage war against them with the sword of My mouth.” Paul Echoes the Theme in Multiple Letters • 1 Corinthians 5:6-7 — “A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough. Get rid of the old yeast…” • 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 — Flee sexual immorality, because believers’ bodies are “temples of the Holy Spirit.” • 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 — “Come out from among them and be separate… let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit.” • Galatians 5:9 — “A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough.” • Ephesians 5:3-11 — “Among you… there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality… Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” • Colossians 3:5-10 — “Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature… Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self.” • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 — “For it is God’s will that you should be holy… God has called us to live in holiness, not in impurity.” • 2 Timothy 2:19-22 — “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity… pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.” Peter and James Join the Chorus • 1 Peter 1:15-16 — “Just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” • 1 Peter 4:17 — “It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God.” • James 4:8 — “Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Old Testament Foundations Carried Forward • Deuteronomy 17:7 — “You must purge the evil from among you,” a principle Paul cites directly (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:13). • Joshua 7 — Israel removes Achan to restore covenant purity, illustrating corporate responsibility for sin. • Psalm 24:3-4 — Only those with “clean hands and a pure heart” may draw near to God’s presence. Living Pictures: Why Purity Matters • Leaven (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9) — Sin spreads unless removed. • Temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19) — The church is God’s dwelling; desecration invites judgment. • Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27) — Disease in one member harms the whole. • Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27) — Jesus aims to present His church to Himself “without stain or wrinkle… but holy and blameless.” Putting It All Together Scripture speaks with one voice: the people of God cannot tolerate willful, unrepentant sin in their midst. Whether through Jesus’ direct commands, apostolic instruction, or Old Testament precedent, the call is clear—protect the church’s holiness for God’s glory, the church’s witness, and the spiritual health of every believer. |
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