1 Corinthians 5:6-13

Leven is yeast, and it only takes a little bit of it to work through the entire dough. Paul was using this analogy to show them that they shouldn't have the man in question among them. A quick reminder about the chapter, Paul is addressing a specific issue among the Corinthian church. Apparently, one of the members has his father's wife. This is wrong and Paul is urging them to remove him from the church. Back to the yeast analogy, if this sinner among them is yeast, then his influence will work through the entire congregation eventually. Because of this, they should remove him from amongst themselves.

The unleavened bread is also being used alongside the Passover. When God redeemed the Israelites from Egypt, the last plague was the angel of death who was to come and take the life of the firstborn of each house. However, if they painted their doorposts with the blood of a one year old lamb without blemish, then the angel would Passover their house and not take the life of their firstborn. This can all be found in Exodus 12. Unleavened bread is instructed to be eaten in chapter 12 of Exodus at that time and as a memorial day for the future. Those in the Corinthian church who were Jewish converts would understand the link Paul is making. The blood of an innocent lamb was used to save their firstborn son. In the same way, Jesus is our innocent lamb used to save us, "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." (v7, ESV). The unleavened bread is even being linked to sincerity and truth (v8). The leavened bread is of malice and evil (v8).

Somewhere previously Paul had instructed them "not to associate with sexually immoral people" (v9, ESV). This is probably a previous time or a previous letter that we do not have. They have misinterpreted his instruction or simply disregarded it as we can see from the presence of this current issue. Paul is not telling them not to go out and hang out with the sinners of this world (v10). Clearly the world is full of sinners and they are to spread the Gospel to the world. Even Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors, so are we not to do the same? Paul's instruction is regarding those who are calling themselves Christians.

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler- not even to eat with such a one.

(v11, ESV)

So we are not to judge outsiders but to judge those inside the church (v12). This is a bit different from the beginning of chapter 4. It talks about not judging others and that God will "bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart." (1 Cor 4:5, ESV). The judging in chapter 4 refers to a person's motives as opposed to their actions. The list in chapter 5 is referring to sins that can be seen through actions. Though initially you may not be able to tell, but since this refers to those within the church, you'd be able to tell by their actions eventually.

I believe we are to take other actions before we remove them from the church. It seems more of a last resort. For this case, the man in question may have been a believer before he had his father's wife. If this was the case, then the believers should have advised him not to do this and counselled him on this matter. Maybe they did, we don't know. But when he went ahead with it anyway and refused their advice, this is probably when they should've removed him from the church. I guess there's another case where he had his father's wife before he was a believer. People carry sins from their past lives when they choose to follow Jesus. In this case, the believers should begin to counsel him away from this sin. If he does not in a short time or even refuses their advice then they should remove him from the church.

Do not partake in sexual immorality. Do not even think its okay to have any little part of any little sin within the church or even within your life for that matter. It is like yeast that works its way through the whole lump.

God judges those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you."

(v13, ESV)

Purge the evil person from the church. Also, purge the evil from among yourselves as well.