Thursday, June 19 – 1 Corinthians 4, 5
1. In what two ways should we view ministers? (1 Corinthians 4:1)
2. What is required of stewards? (1 Corinthians 4:2)
3. What sufferings did the apostles endure? (1 Corinthians 4:10–13)
4. What appeal does Paul make to his spiritual children? (1 Corinthians 4:16)
5. Since the Corinthians were not fully consecrated to God, which caused Paul to admonish them, what two alternatives does the apostle offer when coming to them? (1 Corinthians 4:21)
6. What illustration does Paul use about celebrating the Passover in sincerity and truth? (1 Corinthians 5:8)
“The symbol of fatherly severity. It shows that Paul realized that as an apostle, and also as their original instructor in the gospel, he had authority to administer discipline to the rebellious church. No doubt the “rod” which he would use, if necessary, would be his words. There are occasions when it is necessary for God’s servants to use some severity in correcting unruly members of the church (see Num. 16:8–11, 26, 28–30; Matt. 18:15–17; Acts 5:3, 4, 8, 9).
Correction should always be administered in love, with the ultimate welfare and happiness of the offender in view (cf. Gal. 6:1, 2). Although it may be necessary to act firmly and perhaps severely to preserve the church from confusion and strife, nevertheless, everything should be tempered by a true regard for the best spiritual interests of the persons concerned. Love, which has as its object the best interests of the beloved, must underlie every phase of Christian life and duty, for God Himself is the personification of love (1 John 4:8, 16).” (Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, 1 Corinthians 4:21)
“Paul now states his carefully considered opinion regarding the sentence that the church ought to pass on such a wicked member. This is generally understood to be a sentence disfellowshiping the man from the church.
There are only two spiritual kingdoms in this world, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. If a person leaves the kingdom of God, he must naturally enter the kingdom of Satan (see John 12:31; 16:11; 2 Cor. 4:4). This defiant and abandoned sinner had, by his own sinful conduct, withdrawn himself from the kingdom of God, and this was to be recognized by his official expulsion from the church.” (Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, 1 Corinthians 5:5)
Let me add my personal comment. This measure may seem drastic to some, but we must understand the realities of that time. Corinth, a populous pagan city, was highly permissive. Its moral standards were not compatible with the principles of the church. The wrongdoing of this individual was no small matter. This man was living in adultery, fornication, and incest! He had the audacity to live sexually with his father’s wife. How could the church, before society, tolerate such behavior?
I don’t doubt it wasn’t entirely frowned upon by most of that city’s inhabitants, but the church had to draw the line. Just as in that time, we must also take a stand today.
In the end, mercy triumphs for the repentant who turns from sin, for “he who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). As we will later study in Paul’s second letter to this church, the man was forgiven and readmitted by Paul’s own counsel.
Wishing you many blessings for this day.