1 Corinthians 5:2
And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It’s easy to overlook that Paul isn't just condemning the community's inaction; he's also calling out their pride about it, as if their tolerance is some kind of advanced spiritual maturity. The shocking truth here is that their "arrogance" is actually a spiritual sickness, a sign they've lost their grip on what truly matters to God. Their proper response wasn't to boast about being "loving" by letting sin fester, but to deeply grieve its presence.
Paul is addressing a serious issue of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church—specifically, a man openly living with his father's wife. The Corinthians, instead of being grieved and dealing with this sin, are actually boasting or acting arrogantly about their "tolerance." Paul's correction here isn't just about the individual sin, but about the church's misguided response and their need to exercise spiritual discipline by removing the offender.
Paul calls out the Corinthian church for a shocking attitude towards a serious sin. What's the difference between pride and grief when facing unrighteousness?
A Twisted Perspective
The Corinthians were actually proud that they were so 'tolerant' or 'spiritual' that they could overlook this kind of blatant sin. Paul confronts this head-on. He asks if they aren't aware of the gravity of the situation. Their pride was misplaced, blinding them to the deep wound this sin inflicted on the community and on God's honor.
The Proper Response
Instead of arrogance, Paul says the church ought to mourn. Mourning isn't just sadness; it's a deep grieving over what grieves God. It acknowledges that sin isn't just a personal failing but an offense against a holy God and a violation of His covenant community. This mourning should lead to action, not passive acceptance.
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Paul doesn't just call for a change of heart; he calls for a specific, decisive action. What does it mean to 'remove' someone from the community?
Protecting the Flock
Paul's instruction to 'remove him from among you' is a direct command for church discipline. This isn't about arbitrary exclusion or condemnation, but about protecting the spiritual health of the entire body.
Allowing unrepentant, serious sin to go unchecked is like allowing a contagious disease to spread unchecked. It contaminates the community, weakens its testimony, and dishonors Christ.
A Measure of Love
This act, though painful, is ultimately an act of love – love for the individual caught in sin (giving them a clear, serious consequence that might lead to repentance) and love for the wider community (preserving its purity and witness). It’s about restoring the right order and honoring God’s standards.
Understand the original words
physioō · Greek Adjective/Participle
Having an inflated sense of self-importance or pride; in a biblical context, it refers to a lack of spiritual humility and a failure to recognize one's need for God's grace and discipline.
penthēō · Greek Verb
To express deep sorrow, grief, or repentance, often in response to sin. In this context, it signifies a healthy godly sorrow that recognizes the gravity of sin within the church community.
The Corinthian church was a vibrant but deeply flawed community facing immense social pressures from the surrounding pagan culture. Paul's letter highlights the struggle to maintain biblical standards amidst such an environment.
c. AD 49-50
Council of Jerusalem convenes
A major dispute regarding the inclusion of Gentiles in the early church is resolved. This sets a precedent for the church's mission beyond its Jewish roots.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spends a significant amount of time in Corinth establishing the church, facing considerable opposition but also seeing many converts.
c. AD 53-54— this verse
Paul writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul addresses serious issues that have arisen within the Corinthian church, including divisions, immorality, and doctrinal confusion.
c. AD 55
Paul's subsequent visits/letters to Corinth
Later correspondence and visits reveal ongoing struggles and the eventual reconciliation of Paul with the Corinthian believers, despite the persistent challenges.
This passage directly follows and clarifies the instruction in verse 2, detailing the specific actions the Corinthian church should take regarding the man practicing sexual immorality.
Matthew 18:15-17Jesus outlines a process for church discipline, emphasizing seeking reconciliation and, if necessary, removal, echoing the principle of addressing sin within the community found in 1 Corinthians 5:2.
Galatians 5:13-15Paul warns against using freedom as an excuse for sin and urges believers to serve one another in love, which is undermined by the unaddressed sin in the Corinthian church.
Ephesians 5:3-7This passage strongly condemns sexual immorality and warns against association with those who practice it, highlighting the seriousness of the sin the Corinthians were tolerating.
It’s easy to overlook that Paul isn't just condemning the community's inaction; he's also calling out their pride about it, as if their tolerance is some kind of advanced spiritual maturity. The shocking truth here is that their "arrogance" is actually a spiritual sickness, a sign they've lost their grip on what truly matters to God. Their proper response wasn't to boast about being "loving" by letting sin fester, but to deeply grieve its presence.
Paul is addressing a serious issue of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church—specifically, a man openly living with his father's wife. The Corinthians, instead of being grieved and dealing with this sin, are actually boasting or acting arrogantly about their "tolerance." Paul's correction here isn't just about the individual sin, but about the church's misguided response and their need to exercise spiritual discipline by removing the offender.
Paul is addressing a serious issue of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church—specifically, a man openly living with his father's wife. The Corinthians, instead of being grieved and dealing with this sin, are actually boasting or acting arrogantly about their "tolerance." Paul's correction here isn't just about the individual sin, but about the church's misguided response and their need to exercise spiritual discipline by removing the offender.
"And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you." — It’s easy to overlook that Paul isn't just condemning the community's inaction; he's also calling out their pride about it, as if their tolerance is some kind of advanced spiritual maturity. The sh…
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