1 Corinthians 5 5

1 Corinthians 5:5 kjv

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.

1 Corinthians 5:5 nkjv

deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

1 Corinthians 5:5 niv

hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 5:5 esv

you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 5:5 nlt

Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.

1 Corinthians 5 verses

1 Corinthians 5 5 meaning

This verse instructs the Corinthian church to take severe disciplinary action against a member living in persistent, unrepentant sexual immorality (specifically, incest, as per 1 Cor 5:1). The directive "deliver such an one unto Satan" signifies an act of excommunication, removing the individual from the church's fellowship and its protective, Spirit-filled environment, thereby placing them in a sphere where they are more directly exposed to the consequences and adversities associated with the influence of the world and Satan. The ultimate purpose of this drastic measure is explicitly redemptive: "for the destruction of the flesh" means that the resulting suffering, whether physical affliction or the breaking down of the sinful nature, is intended to bring about repentance and lead to a transformation. This painful discipline aims "that the spirit may be saved" in the future, ultimately affirming the individual's eternal salvation "in the day of the Lord Jesus" if true repentance occurs.

1 Corinthians 5 5 Context

First Corinthians chapter 5 is Paul's stern address to the Corinthian church concerning a shocking case of unrepentant sexual immorality (a man was living with his stepmother). Far from grieving this blatant sin, the Corinthians were "puffed up" and boastful, tolerating the situation (v. 2). Paul emphasizes that such wickedness, if unaddressed, would corrupt the entire community, much like a "little leaven leavens the whole lump" (v. 6). He uses the Passover analogy, urging them to cleanse out the old leaven and become a new, unleavened batch (v. 7-8). The command in verse 5 is therefore part of Paul's apostolic instruction for the church to actively participate in maintaining its purity and holiness, protecting itself from moral contagion, and most importantly, seeking the repentance and ultimate salvation of the errant individual through severe but redemptive discipline. This was a direct challenge to the Corinthian believers' worldly tolerance and their pride in what Paul saw as a destructive compromise with sin.

1 Corinthians 5 5 Word analysis

• To deliver (παραδοῦναι, paradounai): This Greek verb means "to hand over" or "to give up." In this context, it denotes a formal, deliberate act by the gathered church community, with apostolic authority (1 Cor 5:4), to expel the individual from their fellowship. It's a solemn act of excommunication.
• such an one: Refers specifically to the man living in incest mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5:1. Paul identifies him as the immediate target of this discipline, though the principles apply to any Christian persistently living in serious, unrepentant sin.
• unto Satan (τῷ Σατανᾷ, tō Satanā): This phrase does not mean abandoning the person to eternal damnation or an appeal to Satan's power over God. Rather, it means to remove them from the spiritual protection and blessed environment of the church community—the realm where Christ's authority is primarily exercised—into the "world," which is often depicted as Satan's domain (2 Cor 4:4, Eph 2:2). Here, the person becomes exposed to temporal adversities and potential physical afflictions that Satan may inflict, but always under God's ultimate permission and sovereign control.
• for the destruction (εἰς ὄλεθρον, eis olethron): The preposition "for" (eis) indicates purpose. Olethros means "ruin," "destruction," or "decay." This isn't annihilation but a painful process of breaking down. It signifies severe punitive and corrective suffering.
• of the flesh (τῆς σαρκός, tēs sarkos): This term has rich theological nuances in Paul. It can refer to the physical body or, more profoundly, the fallen human nature characterized by sinful desires and weakness, apart from the Holy Spirit. In this context, it likely encompasses both: physical suffering, illness, or temporal loss, which serves to break the power of the sinful inclination (the "old man" or "body of sin" in Rom 6:6) that expresses itself through the physical body, specifically in sexual immorality. The suffering is targeted at that which facilitated the sin.
• that the spirit (ἵνα τὸ πνεῦμα, hina to pneuma): The conjunction "that" (hina) introduces the ultimate, redemptive purpose clause. "Spirit" here refers to the eternal, true inner person, the soul or core being, not the Holy Spirit.
• may be saved (σωθῇ, sōthē): This verb in the passive subjunctive ("may be saved") highlights that the intention of the discipline is salvation. This refers to the individual's eternal salvation, indicating that even this severe action is rooted in God's love and a desire for repentance leading to ultimate restoration with Him.
• in the day of the Lord Jesus: This eschatological phrase refers to the return of Christ, the day of judgment, and the ultimate consummation of salvation for believers. It means the outcome of this redemptive discipline is evaluated and finalized at that future divine reckoning, emphasizing the eternal stakes of the matter.
• "deliver... unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh" (words-group): This phrase describes a divinely permitted handing over of an individual to the sphere of Satan's temporal power, leading to painful consequences. The specific type of destruction of the flesh (e.g., physical ailment, mental anguish, material loss) is not detailed, but the link to the sin suggests it is a punitive measure designed to make the sinner feel the weight and consequence of their unholy choices, breaking the cycle of sin. It is a severe spiritual surgical act.
• "destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved" (words-group): This juxtaposition clarifies that the seemingly destructive action (destruction of flesh) serves a positive, salvific purpose (saving of spirit). It highlights a paradox in God's redemptive plan where temporary suffering can be a painful but necessary path to eternal well-being, analogous to a doctor amputating a diseased limb to save a life.

1 Corinthians 5 5 Bonus section

• Apostolic Authority: The command to "deliver such an one" underscores Paul's unique apostolic authority to command such a grave act of spiritual discipline within the church (cf. 1 Cor 4:21, 2 Cor 13:10). While today the church may not wield the same direct physical judgment, the principle of excommunication for unrepentant sin remains.
• God's Permissive Will: Satan is always under God's ultimate control. Even in this "handing over to Satan," God remains sovereign. Satan can only act within the bounds God permits, and for God's redemptive purposes (as seen in Job 1-2).
• Significance of "Day of the Lord Jesus": This eschatological anchor provides comfort and urgency. It reminds both the disciplined individual and the disciplining church that the earthly actions have eternal ramifications, reinforcing the seriousness and the ultimate hope inherent in the process.

1 Corinthians 5 5 Commentary

1 Corinthians 5:5 encapsulates the severe yet profoundly redemptive nature of church discipline when faced with egregious, unrepentant sin. Paul's directive is not an act of vindictiveness or judgment for eternal damnation but a painful, purposeful intervention for restoration. By expelling the member from the fellowship—a symbolic "handing over to Satan"—the church removes the individual from the immediate sphere of Christ's protection and community blessings, exposing them to the natural consequences and potential afflictions that come with living in a world under the influence of the "god of this world" (2 Cor 4:4). The "destruction of the flesh" points to the disciplinary suffering—whether physical illness, the painful erosion of the sinful nature, or the humbling of pride—which is designed to break the power of the unholy desires that led to the sin. This suffering serves as a painful catalyst, meant to shock the individual into repentance. The ultimate goal, as explicitly stated, is the "saving of the spirit" in "the day of the Lord Jesus," emphasizing that the church's discipline is a desperate measure of love aimed at ensuring the individual's eternal salvation. This demonstrates God's commitment to both the purity of His church and the eternal welfare of His wayward children, even through drastic means.