By Bob DeWaay

Here Paul deals with a specific, sinful person in Corinth who has an immoral relationship with his father’s wife (step-mother).  Rather than mourn about this, the congregation in Corinth was “puffed up.” Paul is determined to deal with this even before he gets there physically. This ongoing sin is so grievous that Paul writes that even the pagans would not tolerate it.

We unpack various details of the text and deal with the unpleasant realities of this straight on. For example, how can this man be turned over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh with the intent that his spirit may be saved? Clearly if this meant the man would die, there is no purgatory or second chance after death. We claim that “flesh” and “spirit” in this context refer to domains either of Satan and darkness or Christ and light. Removing the unrepentant sinner from the church is seen as turning him back to the satanic darkness he lived in before coming to Christ.

The desired outcome is that, being beaten up in the arena of darkness, he would repent and cease living in immorality.  Those who are the Lord’s will respond in repentance to such discipline. We cite numerous scriptures to help make these categories clear. Some, like Judas, will never come back and perish. Others, like Peter, come back and serve the Lord.