Deliver To Satan

To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Cor 5:5

Who and what is Paul talking about? The Corinthian church had a man openly living in sexual immorality so shocking that even pagans wouldn’t tolerate it (1 Cor 5:1). The church wasn’t correcting him — they were proud of their tolerance.

The “what” of the issue at hand is the fact that God first dwelled in the Tabernacle with Israel then in the Temple and then in men’s hearts in the body of Christ, I.e. the church. Paul was saying to remove him from the protection and fellowship of the church. Why? Because the church is the realm of God’s order and blessing. Turning him out of the church was turning him out into the realm where Satan operates.

So Paul is saying:

“Put him out of the church so he experiences the consequences of his sin.”

This is church discipline — not punishment for punishment’s sake, but for restoration. Paul is desirous that the painful consequences of his sin will break his pride, rebellion, and stubbornness. Sometimes people won’t repent until they feel the weight of their choices. This is similar to the prodigal son — he didn’t come home until he hit rock bottom. Sound familiar?

The goal is:

repentance
restoration
salvation
healing

Thus church discipline is always redemptive, not vindictive. And we know, it worked — in 2 Corinthians 2:6–8, Paul tells the church to forgive and restore the man because he repented.

Now you know.

Blessings