Purity and Responsibility in 1 Corinthians 5

Delivered to Destruction for Salvation

In 1 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul addresses one of the hardest realities of church discipline. He speaks of handing someone over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so that their spirit may be saved. At first this sounds harsh, but it is a call to let sin run its course in hopes that brokenness will lead to repentance. Sometimes the most loving act is not to shield someone from consequences but to let them feel the weight of sin so they might turn back to Christ.

Out with the Old, In with the New

In verses 6–8, the Apostle Paul uses the image of yeast spreading through dough. Just as a little yeast works through the whole batch, even small patterns of malice or wickedness can corrupt the body of believers. His call is to sweep out the old and live in sincerity and truth. Following Jesus means examining what we tolerate, whether habits, attitudes, or compromises, and refusing to let them poison the new life we have in Him.

Who We Associate With

Paul clarifies in verse 10 that the world is full of immorality, greed, and idolatry. That is not a surprise. The danger is not being around unbelievers but being shaped by them. His concern is not withdrawal from the world but discernment in relationships. The question is whether those interactions pull us closer to sin or allow us to remain a light in the middle of it.

Holding Believers Accountable

Verses 11–13 sharpen the point. The Apostle Paul says believers are called to judge those within the church who claim Christ yet live in sin. This is not a judgment of condemnation but one of accountability. Those who know better are responsible to live differently. It is hypocrisy to claim Christ while refusing to leave sin behind, and it is the church’s duty to address that with truth and love.

Drawing the Line

This raises difficult questions: What about family or friends who live in ways opposed to Christ? Where do you draw the line? The Apostle Paul reminds us to be clear-eyed about the difference between the world and those who claim the name of Christ. With unbelievers, our posture is witness, not judgment. With believers, our responsibility is to call one another higher. And with ourselves, the call is to avoid drifting so close to sin that it begins shaping our lives.

Living with Purity and Discernment

The message of 1 Corinthians 5 is both sobering and freeing. Sobering, because sin is destructive and contagious if left unchecked. Freeing, because God has given us a new life in Christ that is not bound to the old. Purity is not about perfection but about refusing to let what is false corrupt what is true.

Reflection Prompt: Who around you shapes your life? Do your interactions with unbelievers pull you closer to Christ or closer to the occasion of sin? Where do you need to draw the line, even with people you deeply love?

If you have ever wrestled with how to stay faithful in relationships without being pulled off course, In His Voice, I Walk gives you space to bring that tension before God. Writing honestly helps you see where you are being shaped by the world and where He is calling you to live in sincerity and truth.