|
|
6:1-11 Paul deals with the case of litigation between believers.
6:12-20 Paul deals with sexual
immorality again, this time in the context of their freedom.
|
|
5:2
The problem is that they are proud (v.2)
and boasting (v.6), the two words used in chapters 1-4, describing
the wrong results of their spiritual giftedness (4:7). They think that
since they have received the Spirit who has lifted them above the merely
earthly, "all things are lawful." (6:12)
5:3-4
The action must be effected in the context of
the gathered assembly. When the Corinthians are assembled, the Spirit
is understood to be present among them (3:16); and for Paul that means
that he, too, is present among them by that same Spirit.
Alternative translation: "As for my part, even though not physically present, I am present with you in S/spirit, and as such I have already, by the authority of our Lord Jesus, pronounced sentence on the man who has perpetrated this deed; so that when you and my S/spirit are assembled together along with the power of the Lord Jesus..."
5:5
destruction of the "flesh" (similar usage
in 1Ti 1:20): expulsion from the church, thus turning him back out into
Satan's sphere; it does not mean physical death as v.11 about not
associating with "such a man" implies no immediate death. It probably refers
to the destruction of what was "carnal" in him as actual separation from
the church may lead to his putting aside his sins so that he might once
more join the community. The express purpose of the action is his redemption.
5:6
Jewish folk wisdom: "A little leaven leavens
the whole batch of dough" (cf. Gal 5:9). What is in view is not "yeast"
which was not plentiful in antiquity, and which in any case is fresh and
wholesome. "Leaven" was different. It consisted of keeping back
a "little" portion of last week's dough, allowing it to ferment then adding
it to this week's dough. Because of the fementation process, which week
after week increased the dangers of infection, the Israelites were commanded
once a year to purge their homes of all leaven (Ex 12:14-20). In the NT,
leaven is a symbol of the process by which an evil spreads and infects
the whole community.
5:7
Paul's metaphor of "leaven" relates to the Feast
of Unleavened Bread and the Passover. They are to get rid of the "old
leaven", the incestuous man, so that they might become a people without
such sin in their midst. He reminds them of what made them unleavened bread:
the sacrifice of God's Passover Lamb. Through his death we have received
forgiveness from the past and freedom for new life in Christ. This event
is the grounds for ethical behaviour.
5:8
the prolonged seven-day festival, during which
the Jews were forbidden to eat anything leavened. On the crucifixion of
Christ, God's people are to keep an ongoing feast of the celebration
of God's forgiveness by holy living. "malice and wickedness": synonyms,
referring to every form of sin; "sincerity and truth": behaviour that is
fully authentic
5:10
The only way Christians can be a viable alternative
to the world is for them to be in the world, but not of it
(Jn 17:15-16). "Greed" (called "idolatry" in Col 3:5) means more than covetousness
but defrauding or taking advantage of someone else.
5:11
Sin lists: Ro 1:29-31; 1Co 5:10-11, 6:9-10;
2Co 12:20-21; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:3-5; Col 3:5,8; 1Ti 1:9-10; 2Ti 3:2-5;
Titus 3:3 (Mk 7:21-22; 1Pe 2:1, 4:3; Rev 21:8, 22:15)
The incestuous man is to be excluded from Christian fellowship meals, including the Lord's Supper. It is possible that they are not even to carry on ordinary social intercourse with him although dissociation in 2Th 3:15 implies that private fellowship may still be allowed.
|
|
|
|