1 Corinthians 5:3-5, Discipline

1 Corinthians 5:3-5 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

The Apostle Paul is seeking to help this errant one in the church in Corinth to repent of his sin by advising the church to discipline such a one through separating him from the congregation of God’s people – “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh“. This phrase means to discipline through excommunication. This is what Jesus described in Matthew 18:17 as a final step of discipline to “let him be unto thee as an heathen or publican“, to treat him as an outsider of the church, to Satan’s world. He loses the encouragement and support of the brethren in the church!

Matthew 18:15-17 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

It is so that this fleshy sin of incest may be dealt that he may repent of his sin that the person may be spiritually restored. He will meet the Lord at the last day redeemed.

May God be merciful to save! Amen.