Someone Has His Father’s Wife

Disbelief

The church at Corinth had several problems that Paul needed to address in his first epistle. One notable problem was the case of the man who had taken his father’s wife and how the congregation had reacted to it. There are several lessons we should take from this. First, let us be reminded of the situation that existed there:

It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst” (1 Corinthians 5:1-2).

Following this, Paul went on to describe the appropriate way to handle this situation. Let us notice some lessons from the brother in sin, the congregation, and what God wants us to understand about sin and His church.

Christians Can Get Caught Up In Terrible Sins

On one hand, all sins are equal in the sense that they separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2) and make us deserving of death (Romans 6:23). On the other hand, there are some sins that – while not bringing about any worse punishment eternally – are perceived as being especially egregious. This man’s sin in taking his father’s wife was this type of transgression. Paul said this type of sin “does not exist even among the Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 5:1). Yet here was a child of God who had become ensnared in it. We must heed the warning: a Christian, if not careful and ever committed to faithful service, can fall into any sin.

This is certainly not an excuse for sin (as we will notice soon), but it is reality. Therefore, we must be ready to deal with any type of sin that may be committed by our brethren while also being watchful ourselves that we do not fall into some sin that we once thought was unrealistic for a Christian. Ignoring the threat of sin makes us vulnerable. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

Churches Can Convince Themselves to Accept These Sins

The church at Corinth, despite the great sin this man continued to commit, never broke fellowship with this brother. Paul said he should have been “removed from [their] midst.” Yet in their arrogance, they continued to accept him (1 Corinthians 5:2). Many churches today have loosened their standards of fellowship. As a result, they overlook many sins that need to be addressed. It is easy to become arrogant like Corinth, boasting of the willingness to accept the sinner because of a great love toward him. Yet love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness” (1 Corinthians 13:6). Acceptance of sin is not Biblical love.

Paul said that rather than being arrogant, they should have “mourned instead” (1 Corinthians 5:2). Paul wrote plainly, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them” (Ephesians 5:11). When we accept the unrepentant sinner, we have fellowship with one in darkness, thus cutting off our fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-7; 2 John 10-11). We must guard against the temptation to accept what God does not accept, lest He reject us.

Sin Must Not Be Tolerated

As long as this man was was unwilling to repent of his sin, the church at Corinth had no right to accept him. Paul told them, “I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one” (1 Corinthians 5:11). The chapter closed with this command: “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves” (1 Corinthians 5:13). It may be true that all have sinned (Romans 3:23); but when we do sin, it is expected that we repent and put that sin behind us (Acts 8:22).

Why is it so dangerous for sin to be tolerated? It is because it can spread. In telling the brethren to remove this one from their number, Paul warned of the danger his sin posed: “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?” (1 Corinthians 5:6). Allowing one sin to go ignored opens the door to other sins, threatening the entire congregation.

Two Goals of Discipline

In disciplining the erring brother, Paul outlined two goals of this action. The first was to help save the brother in sin: “I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Even though love is often given as the reason for the increasing tolerance and acceptance of sin, we can clearly see that true Bible love – wanting what is in the best interest of others – will lead to actions that promote repentance. Tolerance of sin encourages the continuation of sin. Correction and discipline that points out the sin and produces godly sorrow leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).

The other goal of discipline is to keep the church pure. After warning of the leavening effect of sin, Paul wrote, “Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened” (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Lord expects His church to be without “spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27). Because of the nature of free will, discipline will not always result in an erring brother’s repentance. Yet discipline will always results in the church maintaining its purity as God desires.

One May Repent of Even the Worst Sins

Though this man in Corinth had committed such a terrible sin, repentance was still possible. Paul was not uttering empty words when he said that one of the goals was that this man’s “spirit may be saved” (1 Corinthians 5:5). This man actually did repent. The discipline worked (2 Corinthians 2:6).

After this man had repented, Paul told the brethren to “forgive and comfort him” and “to reaffirm [their] love for him” (2 Corinthians 2:7-8). When we have a brother who has been caught up in some sin that seems especially severe and then he repents, we must be ready and willing to forgive. We must not continue to reject him or hold a grudge, lest he become “overwhelmed by excessive sorrow” (2 Corinthians 2:7). Furthermore, not only is it important for the restored brother that we forgive him, but it is important for us as well. Jesus said, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions” (Matthew 6:14-15).

Conclusion

We must always be on guard against sin – both in our own lives and among our brethren – so that we can keep the church pure and keep ourselves and our brethren ready to meet the Lord in judgment. Tolerance toward sin is not the answer. Correction of sin is. No matter what the transgression, repentance and forgiveness is possible. This must always be our goal.


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Comments

  1. marcella melton says

    I have enjoyed your articles so much. They are really inspiring. Marcy

  2. Thank you, I appreciate that. I’m glad they’re helpful.