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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - 1 Corinthians 5:5 - 5:5
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To deliver such an one unto Satan (paradounai ton toiouton tōi Satanāi). We have the same idiom in 1Ti 1:20 used of Hymenius and Alexander. In 2Co 12:7 Paul speaks of his own physical suffering as a messenger (aggelos) of Satan. Paul certainly means expulsion from the church (1Co 5:2) and regarding him as outside of the commonwealth of Israel (Eph 2:11.). But we are not to infer that expulsion from the local church means the damnation of the offender. The wilful offenders have to be expelled and not regarded as enemies, but admonished as brothers (2Th 3:14.).
For the destruction of the flesh (eis olethron tēs sarkos). Both for physical suffering as in the case of Job (Job 2:6) and for conquest of the fleshly sins, remedial punishment.
That the spirit may be saved (hina to pneuma sōthēi). The ultimate purpose of the expulsion as discipline. Note the use of to pneuma in contrast with sarx as the seat of personality (cf. 1Co 3:15). Paul’s motive is not merely vindictive, but the reformation of the offender who is not named here nor in 2Co 2:5-11 if the same man is meant, which is very doubtful. The final salvation of the man in the day of Christ is the goal and this is to be attained not by condoning his sin.