1 Corinthians 5:1-6a: Boasting About Sin? What!?

September 23, 2026 Blaize

After spending nearly a quarter of his letter discussing division in the church, Paul turns to specific issues the Corinthians faced. One, involving an individual having a relationship with his "father's wife" (perhaps a stepmother), was shocking to Paul. The Greeks, known for their relaxed sexual morals, viewed marriage more as a contractual arrangement for social standing than as a covenant. Men often had relationships outside marriage, with practices like pederasty, prostitution, sexual cults, and prevalent sexual imagery showcasing their liberal views. But even for the Greeks, the situation in 1 Corinthians was excessive.

The New Testament unequivocally emphasizes monogamy within marriage, which was a far cry from the Greek view. In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus references Genesis, highlighting God's design for a man and woman to unite as "one flesh" in a marital bond. In Ephesians 5:31-33, Paul recalls Genesis, drawing a parallel between marital commitment and Christ's relationship with the Church. Hebrews 13:4 sanctifies the marital bed, warning against adulterers and the sexually immoral. Furthermore, in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, Paul urges believers to abstain from sexual impropriety, emphasizing bodily sanctity. These texts firmly champion sexual relations exclusive to monogamous marriage and caution against deviations.

Compounding the issue in Corinth, the individual in question was openly boasting about the relationship. Paul's response was stern against both the sin and the boasting. Beyond exercising excommunication, he suggests it might be better for their body to be destroyed so that their spirit could be saved. At least this illustrates that even grave sins can't alienate someone entirely from God's grace.

Regardless, tolerating or celebrating sin opposes God's intent. Isaiah 5:20 warns against moral relativism, cautioning against twisting God's moral codes. In Romans 1:32, Paul addresses not just sinful acts but also societal validation of such behaviors. Proverbs 14:9 differentiates the wise from the foolish, noting that dismissing sin is foolishness. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul paints a picture of a morally decaying society, encouraging believers to hold fast to genuine faith apart from more tolerant views of sin.

When it comes down to it, Christians ought to condemn sin, not condone it. Freedom from the law is not a license to sin. On the contrary, Spirit’s presence in one’s life leads one to conviction about sin. These scriptures collectively serve as a clear call for believers to not only steer clear of personal sins but also to challenge and rectify societal attitudes that endorse or trivialize sinful actions. Paul builds on this in the latter verses using an analogy of leaven. But for now, understand that getting rid of sin is imperative and acting as a bulwark against it. In doing so, Christians can be a pillar of truth and righteousness in an ever-changing world.

Lord, I've sinned; let me not celebrate but be separated from it!