In dealing with church discipline why does Paul call for one to be turned over to Satan?
In 1 Corinthians 5, we learn of a very grievous sin that was going on in the city of Corinth. We read in verse 1, “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.” This sin was well known among the Corinthians. This man was sleeping with his stepmother. This was something that even the Gentiles, or unsaved men, would not do. Because of the knowledge of this ongoing sin, the Corinthians become proud of themselves for their tolerance of this man’s actions.
“And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.” (Verse 2). Because of the knowledge of this ongoing sin, the Corinthians become proud of themselves, probably for their tolerance of this man’s actions. Perhaps they did not know what to do, but at least they could have mourned because of the evil going on in their midst. Rather, they were puffed up, or proud of their lenience.
Paul, using his apostolic authority instructs the assembly to discipline this unrepentant man. “For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” (Verses 3-5).
Upon careful reading of this portion, we can see that Paul’s desire was to restore this man to fellowship with the Lord and with the Corinthian saints. To deliver this man unto Satan is literally the act of excommunicating this adulterer. It put him out of the safety and security of the local assembly and sent him out into the world…Satan’s realm. This would allow for the Lord’s chastening hand to be upon this man so that through the humiliation and rejection of his fellow believers, he would repent for his sinful actions. Did it work? Did delivering this man into Satan’s realm bring about repentance in his heart?
Indeed, it did! Paul writes of this man again in 2 Corinthians 2:6-8, “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” Paul addresses the punishment given to this man. He instructs the assembly to forgive him because he was near being “swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.” He had repented for his grievous sin. He was contrite and sorry for his actions, so Paul instructed the saints to “confirm your love toward him.” What seemed to be a severe action done to this man, was what the Lord used to bring him to repentance, and now the Corinthian assembly were told to receive him back into the fold.
The Apostle Paul uses similar language in 1 Timothy 1:19-20, “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” Again, Paul excommunicated Hymenaeus and Alexander so they would learn not to blaspheme.
The Lord has placed discipline into the hands of the local church. We have been charged with keeping the local church free from sin. The Lord has given us specific details as to how to deal with someone who is committing sins without repentance. We read in Matthew 18:15-20, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Steps are taken to restore an erring brother or sister. If all that fails, ultimately they must be excommunicated. The above verses show clearly that the authority and responsibility to discipline the brother who continues to sin is given to the local assembly, or church. However, we must realize that all acts of discipline are to be done with restoration in mind. While many today will say that we should not judge another person, the Bible teaches us that we are obligated to judge the professed believer who refuses to repent and cease living in sin. We read in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, “For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” (CC) (584.2)