“Don’t Worry About Me”


BIBLE READING:1 Corinthians 5

The problem that Paul was facing was fornication, specifically, a man having relations with his father's wife.  Many commentators believe "his father's wife" refers to his stepmother. "I think it most natural to conclude that the person in question had married the wife of his deceased father, not his own mother, but stepmother, then a widow." (Adam Clarke)
Consider the situation as seen from the sinful man's view.  Did he think he was doing anything wrong?  Like so many today who deny their sin(s), this son could have said, "Don't worry about me!"  Unfortunately, this was the attitude of the Corinthian church.  Paul criticizes the church for ignoring the sin.  The church membership knew of the situation but made no move to remedy it.   They felt they were being generous, longsuffering, and loving toward this young man just by allowing the sin to go unchallenged.
It would be hard to believe that the church at Corinth didn't believe what had happened was sinful.  It seems none of them understood how the sin was having a damaging effect upon them.  This sin could have caused factions within the church.  Just to justify themselves, can't you just hear them saying, "My sin is not as great as his."  Not only this, but the members were puffed up, not proud because of the existence of this wickedness, but they were filled with pride notwithstanding, or in spite of it.   People in other congregations and those outside the church knew what was going on.  It was common knowledge. "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you." (1 Cor 5:1) 
Paul instructed the church to turn this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved.  He was to be disfellowshipped, shunned by the membership so he would see the magnitude of his sin and repent.  Note Paul's words, "Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow" (2 Cor 2:6).   It seems Paul's instructions were followed and the man repented.  The church must now receive him back into fellowship.  The sin was rebuked and the church restored to its position of righteousness before God.

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