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Introduction
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Tolerance is on the rise in our society. Everything is relative. There is no absolute morality. People can decide to do both what feels right and what feels wrong. "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). One of the arguments that secular society makes against Christians is that they are judgmental or intolerant. Judgement happens when Christians make a response against a behavior or a lifestyle that God hates and sees as sin (Proverbs 6:16-19; Romans 1:18-32). And ironically, those who judge Christians are already considered "judgmental". And ironically, those who put Christians on the pedestal of intolerance make themselves out to be intolerant.
Do Christians have the right to judge? On what basis? Judging seems to be a taboo word in our society. What gives people the right to judge? In the last part, I spoke about appropriate judgement and inappropriate judgement in Matthew 7:1-6. In this part, I want to specifically talk about judgement inside the church.
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What The Bible Says
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1 Corinthians 5
This passage is needed when performing church discipline inside the Church. The Church that I'm speaking about is NOT the building, but the corporate gathering of believers. Generally speaking, the discussion in this passage is focused on or emphasizing the health of the Body of Christ - the Church - rather than the fate of the individual. The challenge in this passage is how Paul uses the word, "judge" (Gk: κρίνω - krinō).
The church of Corinth is one of the most messed up churches in the 1st century. However, Paul thanks God for this church because he is confident that God is faithful and would sustain the church of Corinth until the day of Christ Jesus (1 Cor 1:4-9). In this chapter, we have a situation where someone inside the church is committing incest. What should the church do?
Paul passed judgement on that sinner, who professes to be a Christian and a member inside the church (1 Cor 5:11). He must be removed or excommunicated from the church; I think this is one of the ways to judge a person, especially a Christian. By the power of Christ, he must be delivered over to "Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord" (1 Cor 5:4-5). Those two verses are tricky to understand. There are two interpretations that I can suggest, and you can decide for yourself which one is appropriate(cite: Willingdon School of the Bible, 1 Corinthians by Marty Culy):
- It has traditionally been interpreted to mean that the man is given over to Satan so that Satan can bring about his demise (before he goes any further in his straying from the Lord). It would thus support the idea of a point of no return for believers when the Lord takes them from the world rather than allowing them to further dishonor his name (1 John 5). We see examples of God "taking out" individuals who profess to follow him but act in ways that bring shame to his name and destruction to the Body (Acts 5; 1 Cor 11:30).
- Another view is that Paul's instructions are a command for the sinner to be put out again into Satan's realm where he will be further confronted with the vileness of sin (and its results), as it is vividly contrasted with the life of fellowship among other believers. As a result, he will want to repent and return to the fellowship of believers.
Furthermore, Paul tells the Christians to not even associate with him. Paul's language in this passage is extremely strong and we cannot avoid the seriousness of his tone. I suppose this is what we call "tough love" in the church.
Professing believers in Christ who are committing "serious" sins inside the Church, such as sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, slander, drunkenness, and unethical business practices - swindler - should be "shunned" (1 Cor 5:12-13). Paul quotes Deuteronomy 17:7 (cf. Deut 13:5; 12; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21–22, 24; 24:7) because it was also an instruction for Israel. We are to guard the purity and the health of the Church.
As for those who are outside the church, Christians should still love and welcome them into the gathering of the church. However, ultimately, God will judge those outside the church. It does not mean we ignore sin and injustice (read my last post).
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Conclusion
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There were a lot of things left "undiscussed", such as the leaven. Nonetheless, this entire passage, again, is focused on or emphasizing the health of the Body of Christ. Church discipline is needed in the context of the local church. We don't do church discipline to non-Christians, but to professing Christians who commit "serious" sins listed above. It is not only this passage that deals with church discipline (1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Thessalonian 3:10-15).
As for those who are outside the church, Christians should still love and welcome them into the gathering of the church. However, ultimately, God will judge those outside the church. It does not mean we ignore sin and injustice (read my last post).
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Conclusion
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There were a lot of things left "undiscussed", such as the leaven. Nonetheless, this entire passage, again, is focused on or emphasizing the health of the Body of Christ. Church discipline is needed in the context of the local church. We don't do church discipline to non-Christians, but to professing Christians who commit "serious" sins listed above. It is not only this passage that deals with church discipline (1 Timothy 1:19-20; 2 Thessalonian 3:10-15).
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