Destroy the Flesh to Save the Soul
Joe R. Price

The following Bible question came to us via our Bible Answers web site. It raises an important subject for churches to know and obey.

Q: "Please explain 1 Corinthians 5:5. What does it mean?"

A: The text says: "deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

The context of 1 Corinthians 5:5 deals with church discipline of an unrepentant sinner among them. One of the Christians in the Corinthian church was committing fornication with his father's wife, and the church had done nothing about this sin in their midst (1 Cor. 5:1-2). Furthermore, they had become "puffed up" (proud, haughty) about his presence among them. Perhaps they thought his presence among them was a personal, individual matter and therefore did not concern them. Whatever the case, it is evident their inaction gave rise to the apostle's reprimand (1 Cor. 5:2). They had become casual and complacent about the presence of sin in the church; their boasting was not good (1 Cor. 5:6).

As Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for its inactivity in dealing with this sinner and his sin, he plainly said he had already judged the man to be living in sin and consequently, unworthy of continued fellowship (1 Cor. 5:3).

In 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 the apostle commanded what they should do. By the authority of Christ ("in the name of our Lord Jesus") and in their assembly ("when you are gathered together"), they were to "deliver" this person over to Satan in an effort to save his soul. They were to publicly mark him because of his unrepentant sin (Rom. 16:17). And, they were further instructed to cease their social contact with the fallen Christian (1 Cor. 5:9-13; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14).

The "destruction of the flesh" in 1 Corinthians 5:5 is the destruction of the carnal man. The brother was a fornicator and should be put away from among them so that his spirit, through repentance, would be saved (through repentance, 5:1, 13). As Galatians 5:24 affirms: "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." (Please see Romans 8:5-8, 13, where "flesh" refers to carnality, the carnal mind, the fleshly appetites.)

The purpose of church discipline is to save the sinner. Thus, Paul said, "that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (1 Cor. 5:5). It is designed to teach the sinner of the eternal death he faces unless and until he repents (cf. 1 Tim. 1:20).

Christians have been heard to say that church discipline does not work. Yet, the disciplinary action by the Corinth church did work; the sinner repented. 2 Corinthians 2:1-11 tells of the man's repentance and forgiveness by the Lord, by the apostle and by the church at Corinth. When a Christian confesses sin and repents of it we must reaffirm our love for him, not silently place him on probation to see if he really means it (2 Cor. 2:8).

To use church discipline when a Christian refuses to repent calls for a judgment to be made (1 Cor. 5:3). The judgment concerning the presence of sin and its need to be rebuked is made on the basis of the inspired Scriptures (the only standard for what is morally and doctrinally correct, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). To do this is not wrong; indeed, it is the proper use of God's truth in an effort to save a soul from death (Jas. 5:19-20).

May God grant us wisdom and strengthen us in faith to be about the difficult but necessary task of disciplining sin when needed, to save the lost and to protect the saved. 

-The Spirit's Sword, IV:23,
August 13, 2000 (Revised)

"Salvation Issues"

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 25:1-7