Scripture Reading : 1 Corinthians 5
Theme : Immorality in the Church
Paul now moves on to the next issue of sexual immorality. This is not directed at the “so-called” believers who were committing it, but at the rest of the church who stood by simply watching. Paul wanted to confront such tolerance of sins, which is as serious as the sins itself.
- The need for discipline (5:1-2a). The first thing that the Corinthians needed to see was the need for discipline because they apparently had rationalized or minimised the immorality in their midst. Paul’s first step was to show them that the immorality was serious and should not be tolerated (Eph. 5:3, 11), especially when such sin was not even tolerated by pagans.
- The mode of discipline (5:2b-8). To the man who refused to repent of his blatant immorality, Paul makes it clear that he should be excommunicated (cf. Matt. 18:15-17). Discipline sometimes must be severe because the consequences of not doing so are much worse. Unless removed, sin will spread its infection until the whole fellowship of believers is diseased. Not only that, discipline is also done in hope that the pain of isolation will drive a true believer to repentance. And when they do, we should gladly welcomed them back into the fellowship (2 Cor. 2:7).
- The sphere of discipline (5:9-13). The Corinthians had apparently misinterpreted Paul’s previous advice about not associating with immoral people, thus they stopped having contact with unbelievers instead of with unrepentant believers. Discipline must be administered to any who professed to be a Christian, not the unbelievers. They have no responsibility to judge the outsider, rather, they are to witness to them.
Praying the Scripture
- Instead of mourning over sin, many churches today have become tolerant of immorality in the name of Christian liberty and Christian love. Such tolerance can be seen in the increasing acceptance of homosexuality within the evangelical circles. Yet, a church that does not mourn over sin, especially sin within its own fellowship, is on the edge of spiritual disaster and severely hindered its testimony. Alexander Pope wrote: “Vice is a monster so frightful mien, As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.” When we cease to be shocked by sin, we lose a strong defense against it. God takes the purity of His church seriously and He commands His children to take it equally seriously. Let’s pray that we will be holy as God is holy (1 Pet. 1:16) and not tolerate sin within the church nor in our own lives.
- Discipline is difficult, painful and often heartrending. It is not that we should not love the offenders, but that we should love Christ, His church and His Word even more. Our love to the offenders is not to be sentimental tolerance, but correcting love (cf. Prov. 27:6). It is essential to realise that in a true believer, the flow of sin will not be uninterrupted, as in one who is unredeemed. Church discipline is hence done in the hope of restoring a straying brother. Let’s pray that we will continue to love a sinning brother and pray that he will return to a pure life. Let us learn to bear one another’s burdens and restore a sinning brother in a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1-2).
经文：哥林多前书5
主题：教会中的淫乱
保罗现在要针对下一个问题：淫乱。他所指责的人并不是犯这罪而宣称自己是信徒的人，而是其余袖手旁观的信徒。保罗想指责的是这容忍罪的态度，因为这与犯罪一样严重。
- 教会纪律的必要（5:1-2a）。哥林多教会首先需要看到的是进行教会纪律的必要，因为他们似乎已经理顺或淡化了中间所发生的淫乱之罪。保罗的第一步是向他们阐明淫乱是个极为严重、无可容忍的罪（弗5:3,11），尤其当这也是外邦人不会容忍的罪。
- 教会纪律的模式（5:2b-8）。保罗清楚说明，凡犯淫乱而不肯悔改的人当被赶出教会（参：太18:15-17）。管教方式时而必须是严厉的，不然后果会更糟。除非罪被铲除，否则它将传染至教会的每一个人。不仅如此，施行纪律的目的是希望被孤立之痛能驱使一名真信徒悔改。只要他愿意那么做，我们就要欢欣地接待他回归团契（林后2:7）。
- 教会纪律的范畴（5:9-13）。哥林多教会似乎误解了保罗之前的劝告，以为他们不能与犯淫乱的非信徒交往，而不是不愿悔改的信徒。纪律是向凡称自己是信徒的人施行对，而不是向非信徒施行。他们无责论断外人，而是要向他们作见证。
用经文祷告
- 今日，有许多教会不再为罪哀恸了，而是以信徒的自由与爱容忍罪孽。这种容忍已导致许多福音派教会逐渐接受同性恋。然而，一个不为罪哀恸的教会，尤其是自己团契中出现的，实际上面临的是属灵灾难，并严重损害了自己的见证。亚历山大·蒲柏（Alexander Pope）写道：“罪是一个很可怕的恶魔，我们先要能看到它才能恨它；然而我们常常不是这样，反倒熟悉了它，然后先容忍、同情，最后拥护了。”当我们不再为罪有感吃惊时，我们已经失去了坚固的防御。神将祂教会的纯洁视为重，并命令祂的儿女也要如此。让我们祷告我们会像神一样圣洁（彼前1:16），不论在教会或自己的生命中都不会容忍罪。
- 施行教会纪律是困难、痛苦，也常常令人心碎的。我们并不是不要爱罪人，而是要更爱基督、祂的教会及祂的话语。我们对罪人的爱不当是多愁善感的宽容，而是使人悔改的爱（参：箴27:6）。我们必须晓得在一个真实信徒中，罪的流入是间断性的，不像一个未得救的人一样。因此，教会纪律的实施是希望一个犯罪的弟兄能归回神。让我们祷告我们会继续爱一个犯罪的弟兄，并同时祈求他会归回到一个纯洁的生命。让我们学习担彼此的重担，并用温柔的心把那犯罪的弟兄挽回过来（加6:1-2）。
