Bible Chapter Summary
1 Corinthians 5 Summary
Immorality and Church Discipline
Paul addresses a grievous case of sexual immorality: a man is living with his father's wife. Rather than mourning this sin, the Corinthians are puffed up. Paul, though absent in body but present in spirit, has judged the matter and commands them to deliver the offender to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so that his spirit may be saved. Paul reminds them that a little leaven leavens the whole lump, and they must purge out the old leaven as they are unleavened bread. He clarifies his earlier letter about not associating with fornicators and commands them to remove the wicked person from their midst.
Key themes
Key verses
1 Corinthians 5:1
“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.”
1 Corinthians 5:5
“To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 5:6
“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”
1 Corinthians 5:13
“But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.”
Read 1 Corinthians 5 in full
Study the complete chapter with interlinear Hebrew & Greek, verse-by-verse, in the Gospel Daily reader.
Open the full chapter