Despite Paul's
affection for the Corinthians and his rejoicing that some of them had been
saved from lives of gross darkness (6:9-11a), it seems that some are slipping
back into their old pre-conversion ways. In fact, matters are worse. Paul directly and indirectly alludes to their
arrogance and spiritually smugness; their indifference to the needs of others;
taking each other to court to settle arguments and disputes; their shameful -
but shameless, scandalous behaviour; and
perhaps above all, lacking genuine Christlike love throughout the
fellowship…
In the face of some
Corinthians proudly boasting of their spiritual standing (out of associating
with particular prestigious apostles or leaders) and accomplishments to gain a
measure of superiority over other believers, Paul emphasises that all true
giftedness or ministry in the church is provided by God as a gift of His grace,
leaving no room for boasting at all (4:1-7).
In contrast to their
boasting, Paul is all too aware of his weakness. The cynical, watching world that treats him
with mockery and disdain, is the same spiritually hostile world that the
Corinthians admire in their desire to uphold their reputation and
respectability. As Christ's servant and steward over His household (4:1), such
Christlike humility and selflessness should be reflected in the lives of all
who bear and serve in His name (v8-13). In a passage dripping with pointed
sarcasm, Paul contrasts the Corinthians' self-belief that they have spiritually
"arrived" (v10) with his own honest account of difficulties,
weaknesses and struggles to serve and remain dependent upon Jesus and boast in
Him (v17-18).
Such was the
obsession and pre-occupation of almost universal sexual immorality and
promiscuity in the ancient world that the Greeks gave it a name that reflected
the popularity of its practice and prevalence:
to 'corinthianise'. Most of the
Christian converts in church would certainly have been saved out of such
behaviour, in one way or another (see 6:9-11a). In chapter 5, Paul calls out an
immoral relationship well-known within the church (v1) expecting the leadership
to exercise responsible discipline to address the matter - for the spiritual
well-being of those involved (v3-5) as well as for the good of the whole church
community (v6-8). However, Paul also
displays his anger and frustration at the church's arrogant and blasé tolerance
and acceptance of what has been happening (v2); if anything, this exposes
even deeper spiritual problems within the church than the immorality itself. In
6:12-20, further sexual sin - presumably practiced by church members - is also
confronted. What has been going on in church that this behaviour has ensued?
Other relationships within the fellowship have so crumbled that the believers
are taking each other to the external civic (pagan) courts for redress (v1-11)?
What has led to all this?
At the heart, the
Corinthians have misunderstood and so are abusing the grace of God. In 5:6-8 takes his readers back to the Old
Testament practices surrounding the celebration of the Passover. In preparation for the Passover (Exodus 12)
which secured deliverance from the bondage in Egypt, the Israelites were to
purge their home of 'leaven' (yeast) and eat unleavened bread (Exodus 13). The
Gospel parallel is Christ's sacrificial death as the Passover Lamb not only
protects Christians from the judgement of God, but also frees us and enables us
to purge ourselves of the slavery of the 'old leaven' of sinful disobedience
that pervades and takes over our lives.
God's grace does not give permission for a life of sin (remember Romans
6:1-2?) but empowers us for a life of Christlike godliness. In an echo of 1:2
(they are "saints called to saintliness"), Paul calls the Corinthians
- and us - to the relentless pursuit of holiness in our lives because Christ
has died for us not just to forgive our sin but to make us holy (5:7). Our redemption has come at a price, the death
of Jesus, therefore we live to glorify God in our bodies (6:20). By the Gospel
we are washed, sanctified, justified and now indwelt by the Spirit (6:11). Now,
believe it and - by God's power - live
it out.
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