Bible Commentaries
1 Corinthians 5

Verses 1-13

Fornication: Sanctification of the Body to Become a Holy Vessel (1 Corinthians 5:1 to 1 Corinthians 7:40 ) - In 1 Corinthians 5:1 to 1 Corinthians 7:40 Paul deals with the topic of fornication in the church at Corinth, which emphasizes the sanctification of the flesh. The key word in this passage of Scripture is “fornication,” which family of words is used twelve times in this passage of Scripture: πορνεία 5 times ( 1Co 5:1 ; 1 Corinthians 6:13; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 7:2), πορνεύω 1 time (1 Corinthians 6:18), πόρνη 2 times (1 Corinthians 6:15-16) πόρνος 4 times (1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 1 Corinthians 6:9). Paul has heard about these problems within this church from reliable sources. Paul relied upon reliable sources in order to deal with these issues (1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 5:1).

1 Corinthians 1:11, “For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.”

1 Corinthians 5:1, “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.”

Outline - Here is a proposed outline:

1. Paul Passes Judgment in the Church 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

2. Paul Gives the Corinthians their Basis for Judging Among Themselves 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

3. Why Fornication Must be Judged 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

4. Marriage in the Church 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Comments on Section Breaks - In 1 Corinthians 7:1 to 1 Corinthians 14:40 Paul answers a number of questions that were probably handed to him by the visiting delegate from the church at Corinth. He begins his discussion on each of these topics with the same phrase, “Now concerning...” (1 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Corinthians 8:1, 1 Corinthians 12:1) Therefore, many scholars divide 1 Corinthians 7:1 to 1 Corinthians 14:40 into a new section because of their common introductions. However, creating such a major division at 1 Corinthians 7:1 breaks the flow of Paul’s lengthy discussion on fornication, as well as the structural presentation on the sanctification of the three-fold man; spirit, soul and body.