1 Corinthians 5:13

But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person (KJV)

Then: In closing this topic, Paul reminds Corinthians that the unchurched are judged in secular systems. Then he ends by going back to the Old Testament directions for stoning convicted suspects found in Deuteronomy 17:7 (Baker p. 84). The Israelites had to put away evil from among themslves. For Paul, the reference is a restatement of purpose, and for New Testament Christians, the sentence of expulsion is not absolute because it leaves hope for a change of heart and renewed fellowship.

Now: For Christians, separation from the Lord is death. The earthly actions of the church mimic spiritual spiritual reality. When Jesus speaks to his disciples about dealing with unrepentant brothers, he explains that what they bind on earth will also be bound in heaven. No one should take disciplinary action of a church lightly. Eternal consequences are at the door. At the same time, no one should forget the merciful open arms of Christ extended towards his children inviting them to repent and come back to his love.

Extra source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.

1 Corinthians 5:7

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us (KJV)

Then: Quickly, Paul bonds the idea of being pure to the Corinthians' devotion to Christ. While the Jews cleansed their homes of all old leaven before the Passover Feast, Christians remember Christ's sacrifice during the Passover in order to forgive us for spiritual uncleanness. Collins (p. 208) marks this reference to the Passover lamb as a second metaphor supporting the goal of church holiness.

Now: Our love for Christ keeps us always wanting to never disappoint him, to stay by his side, to learn from him and follow him. His love for us is the highest power and deepest element of our existence. The idea of an individual or a church willfully ignoring his sacrifice to serve personal interests astounds every believer. The symbol of the Paschal (Passover) Lamb speaks to our hearts.

1 Corinthians 5:6

Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? (KJV)

Then: Yeast works the same way it always has. Stick it in a mixture of flour and water, and it starts the dough to rise. Everybody knows it, so Paul uses a popular phrase to explain the problem with the church. Not a quote, it is reminiscent of Jesus using yeast to illustrate aspects of the kingdom of God in Matthew 13:33 and Luke 13:20-21. Paul is explaining his decision. The temple of God must not be polluted by a belief that immorality is acceptable. It doesn't take much to spoil the church's standards.

Now: "The church is just a bunch of hypocrites." Paul's metaphor about yeast explains why that charge keeps bubbling up century after century. A little bit of flagrant immorality taints the whole group. Since no one this side of heaven is perfect, the charge is difficult to refute. Still, the goal is perfection. Collins (p.208) uses the terms "holiness" and "purity" to describe the church. We cannot set aside adherence to the highest goal of being like Christ because abandoning standards of purity and holiness abandons Christ. Having a procedure for maintaining holiness signals a desire to overcome the conflicting, carnal nature of specific members. It also encourages members to stay close to Christ, the church's standard bearer, listen to him, and be like him.

Extra source: First Corinthians by Raymond F. Collins and Daniel J. Harrington (Collegeville MN: Liturgical Press, c1999) http://books.google.com/books?id=c4VXq9fKoRwC&dq=Sacra+Pagina+and+1st+Corinthians&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=NqEJS7XzEITklAeejdiEBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CDUQ6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false

"In the name of our Lord" - 1 Corinthians 5:4

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ (KJV)

Then: Paul finishes the "absent in body - present in spirit" thought by tying it to the presence of the Lord. He obliquely reminds them that where two or three are gathered together, the Lord is present. Then he explicitly states that his spirit is also there with the power of the Lord, the source of his apostolic authority to teach, direct and guide. Baker (p. 80) states that Paul is bringing in Jesus' teachings about discipline found in Matthew 18:15-20. Jesus finishes verse 17 with "Let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." Paul expects the church to meet together, use the power of Christ's name and deal with this problem of immorality.

Now: Ocasionally small churches strictly follow Paul's directions, but today's people are more likely sent to receive counseling (Baker, p. 81). Most churches accept sin as a matter of course, don't expect a problem with eternal punishment, and stay on course with their priority of good works. There have been instances of secular media trumpeting transgressions and promoting the destruction of big name televangelists. Churches respond to PC diatribes in various ways.

Extra source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.

1 Corinthians 5:2

And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you (KJV)

Then: Adding to the odiousness, Corinthians laugh. They are prideful and see no sin in the act(s) of one among them. Fee points out the difficulties of Corinthians' attitudes towards sexual conduct (p. 196). Their carry-over gentile beliefs restricted the value of marriage to a need for legal heirs, approved the presence of mistresses for social events, and endorsed obtaining concubines for physical utility. Fee doesn't mention that the acceptance of women as equal inheritors of the kingdom of God was a long time coming. Rather he concentrates on Paul's disgust with pride as formerly condemned in 4:18-29 (p. 194) and the issue of church authority. The sin is horrid, but still worse are the problems it reveals - including disdain of apostolic guidance through the authority of Christ.

Now: Writing or thinking about Paul's comments regarding incest is depressing. It's a hidden sin of the modern age: People doing wrong because they have the power over a minor, because their desires overcome inner consciences, because... because... because. Paul's method of discipline is to reject the malefactor according to the Old Testament law in Leviticus 18:24-30 and 20:22-24 (Baker, p. 80).

Extra Source: The First Epistle to the Corinthians by Gordon D. Fee (Eerdman's 1987) online at http://books.google.com/books?id=XlBp10nUTXAC&dq=Gordon+Fee+Bible+commentator&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=SwLNSu3nA4v6Mf2XlDo&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=12#v=onepage&q=&f=false
Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.