Fornication in the Corinthian Church 1 Corinthians 5:1

As Paul the apostle shared how some of the church members in Corinth were “puffed up” because they thought he would not “come to” them. He confirmed that he would “come”, and when he did, he would “know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power”. He declared, “the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power”, and he asked when he did come, did they want it to be “with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?” In chapter five and verse one of First Corinthians, Paul addresses a new subject as he told the church members, “there is fornication among you” where we read:

It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

The verse begins, “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you,...” Paul began with the words, “It is reported” which means “it is attended to, considered and understood” “commonly” or “wholly and altogether” “that there is fornication” which means “there was illicit sexual intercourse and adultery” “among” or “by and with” “you” which refers to “the Corinthian church”. Paul addressed the “report” of “sexual adultery” which was within the church in Corinth.

The verse continues, “... and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.” Paul added the words, “and such fornication” which means “truly this sort of illicit sexual intercourse and adultery” “as is not so much as named” or “this immorality is not even uttered or mentioned” “among” or “by and with” “the Gentiles” which refers to “the heathen tribes, family, nations or groups”, “that one should have” or “a certain person should hold, possess, keep and be involved with” “his father's wife” which refers to “the person's generator or male ancestor's married or betrothed woman”. The “fornication” “reported” was not even heard of among the Gentiles because the person in the Corinthian church was having an “illicit sexual affair” with his own “father's wife”.

When we think through these words from Paul, we see how the Bible is not careful to omit when people are “wrong” in the church. Someone in the church was having an “illicit sexual and adulterous affair” with his “step-mother”, and it was not being addressed. Even the “heathen” people were not known for such a relationship. Sometimes, “sin” is discovered within the church and because Jesus desires for His “bride”, the church, to be “holy and without blemish”, the “sin” must be addressed. As we continue to study the church of Corinth and the way Paul instructs and guides them, let us remember two things: First, “sin”, such as this “fornication” within the church, must be dealt with quickly. Paul later says, “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6), and Secondly, “he who is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone” - Jesus (John 8:7)

Next time Paul shares how the church members “are puffed up, and have not rather mourned”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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