Romans 5
1 Corinthians 5 is the section where the Apostle Paul addresses a serious moral issue that arose within the church in Corinth. Paul refers to an act of sexual immorality that occurred in the church (in particular, a case in which a man had a relationship with his father’s wife), emphasizing the holiness of the community. Paul urges that the church should not tolerate such sin and should respond decisively.
1verseBeing therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
2versethrough whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3verseNot only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance;
4verseand perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5verseand hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6verseFor while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7verseFor one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a good person someone would even dare to die.
8verseBut God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9verseMuch more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s wrath through him.
10verseFor if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.
11verseNot only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
12verseTherefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death passed to all men because all sinned.
13verseFor until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law.
14verseNevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren’t like Adam’s disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.
15verseBut the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
16verseThe gift is not as through one who sinned; for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but the free gift followed many trespasses to justification.
17verseFor if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.
18verseSo then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.
19verseFor as through the one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.
20verseThe law came in that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly,
21versethat as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Structure and Content Flow
- Presenting the Problem (Verses 1–2): Paul points out that a moral incident became known within the church, and that the members did not mourn or respond appropriately.
- Paul’s Exhortation (Verses 3–5): Paul asks that the church take firm spiritual action regarding this issue, mentioning that the person should be separated from the faith community (excommunicated).
- The Parable of Leaven (Verses 6–8): Through the illustration of leaven in bread dough, Paul explains that even a small sin can affect the entire community. He urges them to live with purity and truth.
- Fellowship and Boundaries Within Faith (Verses 9–13): Paul explains that he is not talking about having fellowship with sinners in the world outside the church, but rather about a warning against those who repeatedly commit sin within the church and do not repent. Finally, he urges that they should not keep company with such people.
Overall Meaning
In this chapter, Paul emphasizes not only personal morality but also the identity and well-being of the entire community. Paul reminds them that the church is a community of love, yet at the same time it is a community that pursues holiness. He lets them know that when an individual’s wrongdoing is left unaddressed, negative effects can begin to spread throughout the whole community. Paul also states that the church does not have authority to judge the world, but within the community healthy boundaries and spiritual responsibility are necessary.
Meditation Points
- How do I view the issue of sin in the community I belong to, and how am I working to address it?
- To what extent do I need to examine the purity and truthfulness—my inner attitude and sense of responsibility toward the community?
- We can also think about how we might maintain a balance between love and holiness.
Applying to Myself
- I think about how my choices and actions will affect the community I belong to.
- Rather than criticism, I consider how I can practice an attitude that helps bring restoration and healthy growth.
- I need time to check myself regarding the responsibilities and boundaries that must be upheld within the community, and the balance of love.
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