God's Wisdom and Church Discipline
Gary DeLashmutt
1 Corinthians 5:1-13
In response to unchecked sin (a man carrying on a sexual relationship with his father's wife), Paul rebukes the Corinthian church for not practicing the church discipline that is warranted. When practiced correctly, church discipline can be redemptive and loving. It can help bring the person to a point of repentance, it maintains the spiritual health and zeal of the community practicing it, and it upholds the integrity of the church which is attractive to the watching world. It's important to remember, however, that church discipline is only meant for serious and chronic behavior and only for those who claim to know Jesus.