1 Corinthians 5:1
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The shocking part here isn't just the immorality, but that Paul says it's worse than what the non-believers around them practiced! This wasn't just a matter of sliding standards; it was a public disgrace that made their witness to the world look worse than those outside the faith.
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is responding to a letter from the Corinthian church where disturbing news has reached him about their community. Specifically, a member is living in an openly incestuous relationship, and the church hasn't taken disciplinary action, which is baffling and deeply concerning to Paul. This situation sets the stage for him to address divisions, immorality, and the need for holiness within the church in the following verses.
Paul doesn't hold back here. He's addressing a situation so severe it even offends non-believers. What makes this sin so egregious?
A Stain on the Gospel
Paul is writing to the Corinthian church, a city known for its decadence. Yet, the sin being committed was so extreme that it brought shame even upon the pagan society around them. The specific act mentioned – a man living with his father’s wife – was explicitly forbidden in both Jewish law and Roman custom. This wasn't a minor oversight; it was a blatant defiance of basic morality and a severe stumbling block to the spread of the gospel.
Beyond Toleration
Paul uses the phrase 'not tolerated even among pagans' to highlight the severity. In a culture where sexual freedom was common, this particular act crossed a line. It demonstrates that the standards of the Kingdom of God are meant to be higher than the surrounding culture, not merely equal to it.
This isn't just about one person's sin; it's about the whole community. How should the church respond when such a sin occurs?
A Community Under Scrutiny
The report of this sin reached Paul, meaning it was likely known within the church community. The lack of action or apparent tolerance from the Corinthians indicated a serious spiritual problem. Paul's letter is a wake-up call, demanding that the church confront this sin and exercise spiritual discipline.
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Consequences for Witness
The purity of the church is vital for its witness to the world. When the church condones or ignores sin that is openly condemned by society, it loses its credibility and its ability to effectively share the message of Christ. The gospel is a message of transformation, and the life of the church should reflect that transformation.
Understand the original words
porneia · Greek Noun
A general term covering a wide range of illicit sexual behaviors, including adultery, incest, and prostitution, violating the biblical standard for purity. It is considered a sin against one's own body and a disruption of the community's holiness.
The shocking sexual immorality Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians 5 wasn't just a minor hiccup; it was a critical test of the Corinthian church's ability to live out its new identity in Christ, especially in a morally complex Greco-Roman city.
c. AD 48-49
Paul Founds Church in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spends about 18 months in Corinth, establishing a vibrant Christian community. He ministers with Priscilla and Aquila, tentmakers like himself.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians (Not This One)
While in Ephesus, Paul learns of divisions and other issues in the Corinthian church, prompting him to write his first letter to them, which is now lost.
c. AD 53-56— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians from Ephesus
Receiving reports from Chloe's household and others about ongoing problems, Paul writes this letter (1 Corinthians) to address issues like divisions, immorality, lawsuits, and doctrinal questions.
c. AD 56
Paul Visits Corinth
Paul makes a painful visit to Corinth, during which the severe issue of the man living with his father's wife is addressed directly, leading to the person's removal from the church.
c. AD 57
Paul Writes Second Corinthians
Paul writes his second letter to the Corinthians, likely from Macedonia. He expresses relief that the church has disciplined the offender, confirming the positive outcome of his previous instructions.
This passage explicitly prohibits sexual relations with a father's wife, directly addressing the specific sin mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:1 and showing it was already forbidden by Old Testament law.
Deuteronomy 27:20This verse pronounces a curse on anyone who lies with his father's wife, highlighting the severity and condemnation of this particular act within the framework of God's law.
Ephesians 5:3Paul warns against sexual immorality and impurity in this letter as well, urging believers to live lives that are holy and pleasing to God, echoing the concern for the church's purity.
Galatians 5:19-21This passage lists 'sexual immorality' among the acts of the flesh that exclude one from the kingdom of God, reinforcing the serious spiritual implications of such behavior for the community.
The shocking part here isn't just the immorality, but that Paul says it's worse than what the non-believers around them practiced! This wasn't just a matter of sliding standards; it was a public disgrace that made their witness to the world look worse than those outside the faith.
Paul is responding to a letter from the Corinthian church where disturbing news has reached him about their community. Specifically, a member is living in an openly incestuous relationship, and the church hasn't taken disciplinary action, which is baffling and deeply concerning to Paul. This situation sets the stage for him to address divisions, immorality, and the need for holiness within the church in the following verses.
Paul is responding to a letter from the Corinthian church where disturbing news has reached him about their community. Specifically, a member is living in an openly incestuous relationship, and the church hasn't taken disciplinary action, which is baffling and deeply concerning to Paul. This situation sets the stage for him to address divisions, immorality, and the need for holiness within the church in the following verses.
"It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife." — The shocking part here isn't just the immorality, but that Paul says it's worse than what the non-believers around them practiced! This wasn't just a matter of sliding standards; it was a public di…
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Last reviewed October 2026
