"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                              Chapter Five

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To understand the need for proper church discipline

2) To understand the nature of church discipline

SUMMARY

Having dealt with the problem of division in the first four chapters,
Paul now addresses the problem of immorality in the church at Corinth.
He describes the particular case at hand, one which even pagan Gentiles
would find shameful (1).  Rebuking them for being "puffed up" instead
of mourning (2), Paul then instructs them to "deliver such a one to
Satan," giving them reasons why this action is necessary (3-8).
Clarifying what may have been written in an unknown earlier epistle,
Paul concludes by designating those whom such action is to be taken upon,
and describing how it is to be carried out in practice (9-13).

OUTLINE

I. THE PROBLEM OF IMMORALITY IN THE CHURCH AT CORINTH (1-2)

   A. THE PARTICULAR CASE AT HAND (1)
      1. Something not even the Gentiles would approve! (1a)
      2. A man was living with his father's wife (1b)

   B. HOW THE CORINTHIANS WERE HANDLING IT (2)
      1. They were "puffed up" (2a)
      2. Rather than mourning that such conduct might result in the
         removal of the offender (2b)

II. INSTRUCTIONS FOR DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM (3-13)

   A. HOW TO ADMINISTER CHURCH DISCIPLINE (3-5a)
      1. Must exercise judgment, as Paul had already done as if he
         were present (3)
      2. When assembled together in the name of Jesus, must deliver
	 such a one to Satan (4-5a)

   B. WHY CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS NEEDED (5b-8)
      1. To save the sinner (5b)
         a. By destroying the flesh (its pride and works)
         b. That his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord
      2. To save the church (6-8)
         a. "A little leaven leavens the whole lump" (6)
         b. Christ, our "passover," should be kept with the unleavened
            bread of sincerity and truth (7-8)

   C. CLARIFICATIONS CONCERNING CHURCH DISCIPLINE (9-13)
      1. Not to be exercised toward those who are of the world (9-10)
      2. But towards brethren in Christ who remain in sin; with such
         don't even eat (11)
      3. For God judges those outside the church, while we must judge
         those inside (12-13a)
      4. The nature of church discipline:  "put away from yourselves
         that wicked person" (13b)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THIS CHAPTER
Move your mouse pointer underneath each question to see the answer.

1) List the main points of this chapter.




2) What was the nature of the immorality that existed in the church at
   Corinth? (1)



3) What was the attitude of the church in this regard? (2)



4) Why does a church "deliver such a one to Satan"? (5)




5) Why should a church be diligent in exercising church discipline? (6)



6) Who is the "passover" for Christians? (7)



7) How should we observe our "passover"? (8)



8) Towards whom is church discipline to be administered? (9-11)




9) Who has the responsibility of judging those outside the church?
   Who judges those on the inside? (12-13)




10) What expressions may help explain what it means to "deliver such a
    one to Satan"? (11,13)