Dealing with a Dysfunctional Church
St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians

Discussion Question #1

 In chapter five, Paul identifies the behavior of a man as particularly sinful. What is the behavior and why do you suppose Paul is so upset with both the man and the rest of the Corinthian Church?

 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Should you not rather have mourned . . .

Incest in Roman Law

Discussion Question #2

 What measures does Paul order the Corinthian church to take against the man discussed in chapter five? Are such measures appropriate for churches to take today?

5:2b . . . so that he who has done this would have been removed from among you? For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgment in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

5:6 Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

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5:9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons—not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world.

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one.  For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside. "Drive out the wicked person from among you."

Discussion Question #3

 In 1 Cor 6:9–10, Paul lists a number of lifestyles not characteristic of a walk with Christ. What are these, and what characteristics do they share?

 6:9 Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, sodomites, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers-- none of these will inherit the kingdom of God.

Discussion Question #4

In 1 Cor 6:11, Paul mentions the Corinthians being “washed,” “sanctified” and “justified.” To what do these words refer, and how are they to affect the Corinthians’ behavior?

6:11 And this is what some of you used to be. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Discussion Question #5

In 1 Cor 6:12, why do you think Paul quotes the saying, “All things are Lawful for me”? Does he seem to agree or disagree with this statement?

6:12 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are beneficial. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be dominated by anything.

"Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food," and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.

Prostitution in Ancient Greco-Roman Society

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6:15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, "The two shall be one flesh.” But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.

Discussion Question #6

 In chastising some Corinthians for engaging prostitutes, Paul argues that Christians’ bodies are “members of Christ” and a “temple of the Holy Spirit” (6:15–19). How does this position make sexual sins (and other sins of the body) more egregious than would otherwise be the case?

6:18 Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.