1 Corinthians 5:5 - Immorality Rebuked

hand this man over to Satan
This phrase refers to a form of church discipline where an unrepentant sinner is expelled from the Christian community. In the context of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses a case of sexual immorality that was not being dealt with by the church. The act of handing someone over to Satan implies removing them from the protective fellowship of the church, exposing them to the world where Satan has influence. This is similar to the situation in 1 Timothy 1:20, where Paul speaks of Hymenaeus and Alexander being handed over to Satan to learn not to blaspheme. The goal is corrective, not punitive, aiming for repentance and restoration.

for the destruction of the flesh
The "destruction of the flesh" can be understood as allowing the sinful nature or carnal desires to be dealt with through the consequences of sin. This does not necessarily mean physical harm but rather the breaking down of sinful habits and desires. In Galatians 5:24, Paul speaks of those who belong to Christ having crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. The hope is that through experiencing the consequences of sin, the individual will turn back to God.

so that his spirit may be saved
The ultimate goal of this disciplinary action is the salvation of the individual's spirit. This reflects the redemptive purpose behind church discipline, emphasizing restoration and reconciliation with God. It aligns with the broader biblical theme of God desiring all to come to repentance, as seen in 2 Peter 3:9. The focus is on eternal salvation rather than temporal punishment.

on the Day of the Lord
The "Day of the Lord" is a term used throughout Scripture to refer to a future time of God's judgment and salvation. In the New Testament, it often points to the return of Christ and the final judgment. This phrase underscores the eschatological perspective of Paul's teaching, reminding believers of the ultimate accountability before God. It connects to passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:2, where the Day of the Lord is described as coming like a thief in the night, urging believers to live in readiness and holiness.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter, addressing the Corinthian church with authority and pastoral concern.

2. The Corinthian Church
A Christian community in Corinth, struggling with issues of immorality and division.

3. The Immoral Man
A member of the Corinthian church involved in a grievous sin, specifically sexual immorality.

4. Satan
The adversary, representing the realm outside the protective fellowship of the church.

5. The Day of the Lord
A future time of judgment and salvation, when Christ will return.

Teaching Points

Church Discipline as Restoration
The goal of church discipline is not punishment but restoration. By removing the individual from the fellowship, the church hopes for repentance and eventual restoration.

The Seriousness of Sin
Sin, especially unrepentant sin, is a serious matter that can affect the entire church body. Addressing it is crucial for the health of the church.

The Role of Satan in Discipline
"Handing over to Satan" implies removing the protective covering of the church, allowing the individual to experience the consequences of their actions, which may lead to repentance.

The Hope of Salvation
Even in discipline, the ultimate hope is the salvation of the sinner's spirit. The church's actions are motivated by love and concern for the individual's eternal destiny.

Community Responsibility
The church community has a responsibility to uphold holiness and purity, supporting one another in love and truth.

(5) That the spirit may be saved.--The object of this punishment was the destruction of the flesh, and the salvation of the man.

Verse 5. - To deliver such a one unto Satan. Scripture nowhere defines the character and limits of such a sentence as this. By cutting off an offender from Church communion (2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15), that is, from all the visible means of grace, he was for the time separated from spiritual influences, and was, therefore, so far handed over to Satan. The phrase is also applied to Hymenaeus and Alexander, in 1 Timothy 1:20. It is very doubtful whether it was necessarily meant to involve such physical inflictions as fell on Ananias, Sapphira, or Elymas. It is, however, important to observe that the intention of the sentence, like the true intention of excommunication, when exercised in a right spirit (see Hooker, 'Eccl. Pol.,' 3:1, § 13), was not wrathful, but merciful. It was, as Calvin says, "medicinale remedium" - "not for destruction, but for edification" (2 Corinthians 10:8). Hymenaeus and Alexander were handed to Satan, not for their final ruin and damnation, but with a kind and remedial purpose, "that they may learn not to blaspheme" (1 Timothy 1:20), and this offender with the express object ', that his spirit may be saved." Had these facts been more deeply studied, there would have been a very different tone and spirit in many of the mediaeval anathemas. Such a one (setup. 2 Corinthians 2:7). He seems to hold aloof from the man's very name. So "such as she" (τὰς τοιαύτας) is used of the adulteress in John 8:7. For the destruction of the flesh; i.e. that all carnal influences in him might be destroyed. It is not his "body" which is to be destroyed, but the , "flesh," the jetzer hara, or "evil impulse," as the Jews called it. When this was destroyed, the body might once more become a temple of the Holy Ghost. That the spirit may be saved. The destruction of the lowest element of our human nature is the salvation of the highest; it is the cutting away of the dead corpse from the living soul. In the day of the Lord; when the Lord should judge the quick and the dead. The merciful intention of St. Paul is clearly developed in 2 Corinthians 2:6-11. He looked on God's judgments as remedial, not as solely retributive (1 Corinthians 11:29-32). Here, as Chrysostom finely says, the apostle lays down, as it were, his laws to the devil, telling him how far, and how far only, he can proceed. The object of excommunication is to save the offender, and not to do the devil's work by ensuring his eternal ruin. We can imagine how awful would be the solemnity of these words when they were first read aloud to the little Christian communities of Corinth. It was natural that they should produce an overwhelming excitement. Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

hand
παραδοῦναι (paradounai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3860: From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit.

this man {over}
τοιοῦτον (toiouton)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5108: (including the other inflections); from toi and houtos; truly this, i.e. Of this sort (to denote character or individuality).

to Satan
Σατανᾷ (Satana)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4567: An adversary, Satan. Of Chaldee origin corresponding to ma'bad; the accuser, i.e. The devil.

for
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

[the] destruction
ὄλεθρον (olethron)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3639: Ruin, doom, destruction, death. From a primary ollumi; ruin, i.e. Death, punishment.

of the
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

flesh,
σαρκός (sarkos)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4561: Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

[his]
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

spirit
πνεῦμα (pneuma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.

may be saved
σωθῇ (sōthē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4982: To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.

on
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

day
ἡμέρᾳ (hēmera)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord.
Κυρίου (Kyriou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

Links

1 Corinthians 5:5 NIV
1 Corinthians 5:5 NLT
1 Corinthians 5:5 ESV
1 Corinthians 5:5 NASB
1 Corinthians 5:5 KJV1 Corinthians 5:5 BibleApps.com
1 Corinthians 5:5 Biblia Paralela
1 Corinthians 5:5 Chinese Bible
1 Corinthians 5:5 French Bible
1 Corinthians 5:5 Catholic BibleNT Letters: 1 Corinthians 5:5 Are to deliver such a one (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)