1 Corinthians 5 reminds me of the food safety danger zone. Many types of bacteria love warm moist environments and will reproduce rapidly in those conditions. Very generally, food stored between 40 and 140-degrees Fahrenheit can quickly become contaminated. That means the longer you allow food to remain in the danger zone, the greater the risk of getting sick. Today’s lesson is about tossing things out before they can hurt you. The apostle Paul continues his letter of instruction to the arrogant church in Corinth with some safety guidelines. He is concerned about their long-term health. He begins with a report he was given that “there is sexual immorality among you.” Some chuckle at the prudish rantings of religious zealots. But Paul explains, this is the sort of thing that “even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.” This was apparently happening very publicly because Paul says “you are proud!” We all know people that brag who they have a cast iron stomach and can eat anything. These Corinthians were quick to follow the newest trends and embraced their freedom from the Jewish Law. Paul taught extensively on the burden of the Law, but he also taught that forgiveness comes at a cost. Jesus suffered and died to pay our debt. It is a mockery to use that freedom to sin even more. In gratitude we do not want to tarnish the name of Christ. Paul says they should grieve the loss of this man’s heart and put him “out of your fellowship.” To be clear, this is an example of someone that will not repent. The church cannot be lukewarm toward sexual sin. Condoning such behavior would destroy the church.
Paul explains that the short-term discomfort may lead him to repentance, “so that his spirit may be saved.” The church offers safety and protection; it offers spiritual nourishment and a place to heal. Paul warns them against condoning blatant sin: “Your boasting is not good”; explaining that “a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough.” Remember, as part of the preparation for Passover, all of the yeast is removed from the home. Unleavened bread symbolized leaving the bondage in Egypt with haste, and the purity of the new life. The blood of the Passover lamb protected God’s people from the final plague in Egypt, death. Paul teaches the church that “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” and thus we are to live our new life with purity. Not with “the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Is it time to let go of an old malice?
Paul closes the chapter with a very important distinction that many do not understand today. He explains: “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.” He adds emphatically, “not at all.” But in the next sentence he makes it clear that he is not talking about people outside the church. He tells them: “you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler.” Literally, “Do not even eat with such people.” He continues by making it even more clear. Paul does not expect those that do not claim to be Christians to follow the teachings of Christ: “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?” If someone consumes rotten food, we should not be surprised if they get sick. The church has the antidote to the destructive poison served and consumed by the world. To be effective in providing the Bread of Life, the church must maintain safety standards far above the world. Paul concludes: “Are you not to judge those inside?” Therefore, he says again, “Expel the wicked person from among you.” Friend, are you marinating in the danger zone? God’s standards keep us healthy. Have you embraced God’s standards, or the world’s?