1 Corinthians 5

Bible Passage:  1 Corinthians 5

Paul pleaded with the Corinthians to mourn over sin.  I read somewhere that the word “mourn” used here is the same as the word used for mourning over the dead.  This is the most painful and deepest kind of personal sorrow possible.

But instead of mourning, the Corinthians were puffed up in their pride.  They were boasting of the fact that their church was so “open-minded” that even the immoral people could be members in good standing!

Some members have remarked that our church is too conservative and too strict in our handling of things.

But reading these words of Paul tells us that it is necessary.

Paul told the church to judge the sin.

We are to be open and honest about each other’s conduct and call it for what it is.

The church was to purge the sin.  One of the requirements was that no yeast (leaven) was o be found anywhere in their dwellings.  That’s why in the Holy Communion, the bread is unleavened bread.  Yeast is a picture of sin.  It is small but powerful; it works secretly; you don’t even see it and suddenly it “puffs up” the dough; it spreads.

Church disciple is never easy or popular.  But it is very important.

So the next time we think that the church is too severe in the handling of certain things, read this chapter again and consider…