Fornication
Fornication
The second problem with the Corinthians is that they let a member (“called a brother” 5:11) who has openly committed fornication (taking his father’s wife) stay in church without taking any punitive action against him. They do not even “mourn” for such sin. (5:2) Paul’s judgment is to oust that person off the member list. (5:2,13) This way resembles purging the old leaven of “malice and wickedness” so as to remain an unleavened bread of “sincerity and truth” (5:8).
Paul tells the Corinthians to “flee fornication” (6:18). He states several reasons for that:
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No fornicators (the unrighteous) shall inherit the kingdom of God. (6:10)
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Our sanctified body is not for fornication but for the Lord. (6:13)
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We are the members of Christ, not the members of harlot. (6:15)
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Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We belong to God. Committing fornication is sinning against one’s own body. (6:18-19)
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We are bought with a price. We should glorify God in our body. (6:20)
Let outsiders judge church matters
Paul questions why the church has no wise man to judge between the brothers (6:5). Paul further complains of their suing each other before the unbelievers. (6:7) Instead, they should bear with one another’s fault.