In the previous blog, we began discussing 1 Corinthians 5, a chapter often cited as evidence for church discipline. What stands out most in the opening verses is that Paul directs his rebuke at the ecclesia rather than the man himself. Their attitude was the reason such a practice could exist in their midst. Apparently, the Corinthians were even proud of their tolerance. Consequently, evil was given free rein among them (:2).
He writes that this man should be removed from their midst. In doing so, he deliberately uses a passive verb form. In the following verses, Paul explains what he means by this.
1 Corinthians 5 ISA
3 For I, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already — as if present — pronounced judgment on the one who has done this.
Paul was physically absent but present “in spirit.” One might think of the fact that Paul was with them in his thoughts. However, it is more likely that Paul is referring to the letter he is writing to the Corinthians; when it is read aloud in their midst, he is present in person, as it were.
Paul has already assessed the situation and is now pronouncing his judgment.
4 In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you and my spirit are gathered together, along with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5 we hand such a person over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh…
At first glance, what Paul says here sounds very serious: “We hand such a person over to satan.” But what does that mean?
handing over
The man is handed over to satan. Here, we must carefully distinguish between what Paul is saying and what he is not. If we want to understand what Paul means by “handing over” or “delivering up,” we find a striking example in Romans 1. There, he states three times that God hands humanity over to the desires of their hearts (:24), to dishonorable passions (:26), and to a debased mind (:28).
God does not drive man into these practices; He allows him to pursue them. He hands him over to them. We find this same concept here. Through his way of life, the man had placed himself within Satan’s domain. Paul therefore does not say that he must be taken there, but that he is handed over to it. Whoever clings to evil is handed over to it. The purpose of this abandonment is to bring him to repentance.
a believer
Nowhere is it stated that this man is an unbeliever. On the contrary, he is found “among you” (:1) and “in your midst” (:2). Yet, through his conduct, he finds himself within satan’s domain. The ultimate outcome of this is the “destruction of the flesh.” That sounds severe, but ultimately, all flesh is perishable.
Yet that is not the ultimate goal, for the purpose of handing the man over to satan is positive:
5 (…) so that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus…
This, too, shows that Paul is speaking about a believer. The goal is not his ruin, but his salvation. This aligns with what Paul wrote earlier in 1 Corinthians 3. A person’s works may be burned up while he himself is saved, “yet so as through fire” (1 Cor. 3:15). Here, too, Paul does not end with judgment, but with salvation. That will become evident on the day of the Lord Jesus.