1 Corinthians 5:4

1 Corinthians 5:4 is a pivotal verse within Paul's instructions to the Corinthian church concerning a grave moral issue they were tolerating. In this passage, Paul outlines the spiritual authority and the manner in which the church should address the sin of one of its members, emphasizing the divine backing for their actions.

Context

The verses immediately preceding 1 Corinthians 5:4, particularly 1 Corinthians 5:1-3, reveal Paul's shock and dismay that the Corinthian believers were allowing a man to live in an incestuous relationship with his father's wife. Instead of grieving and taking action, they were arrogant. Paul, though physically absent, issues a clear directive for the church to take disciplinary action, asserting his spiritual presence and authority in the matter.

Key Themes

• Apostolic Authority and Spiritual Presence: Paul asserts his spiritual presence ("my spirit") alongside their physical gathering. This signifies that his apostolic authority is fully behind this disciplinary action. It communicates that this is not merely a suggestion, but a command from a divinely appointed leader, even from a distance.
• Corporate Assembly and Action: The phrase "when ye are gathered together" highlights the necessity of the entire assembly participating in this solemn act of church discipline. It underscores that such weighty decisions are not individual but corporate, reflecting the unified body of Christ acting in accordance with His will.
• Divine Power and Authority: The repeated phrase "in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" and "with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ" is central to the verse. This signifies that the action taken by the church is not based on human judgment or power, but on Christ's ultimate authority and empowering presence. It ensures the action is legitimate and effective in God's eyes, aiming for restoration and purity within the church. This divine authority is crucial for understanding the severity of the subsequent action described in 1 Corinthians 5:5.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "in the name of" (Greek: en tō onomati) conveys much more than just uttering a name. It signifies acting by the authority of, representing, or embodying the very character and power of the one whose name is invoked. It implies full endorsement and backing. Similarly, "with the power" (Greek: sun tē dynamei) further emphasizes that this is not a human endeavor but one carried out with divine energy and capability, making the church's actions spiritually weighty.

Significance and Application

This verse provides a foundational principle for how the church, as the body of Christ, should address serious, unrepentant sin within its ranks. It teaches several vital lessons for believers today:

• Discipline is Spirit-Led: True church discipline is not arbitrary, personal, or vindictive, but exercised under the direct authority and power of Christ.
• Corporate Responsibility: The entire congregation shares responsibility in upholding the sanctity and purity of the church, acting together as a unified body.
• Aim for Purity and Restoration: While the action described is severe, the ultimate goal of such discipline, as seen throughout 1 Corinthians 5, is the spiritual well-being and potential repentance of the individual, and the purity of the community, so that the "old leaven" does not corrupt the whole lump.

It profoundly reminds believers that the church's authority stems directly from its Head, Jesus Christ, making its actions weighty and spiritually significant when aligned with His will and purposes.