The Corinthians were guilty of heinous sexual sin that
was even rare for the heathen and were boastful of it rather than sorrowful over it, which could result in Divine
judgment of the offender (I Corinthians 5:1-2)
The reason for the Corinthians' prideful attitude regarding
this debauched behavior was the false teaching that the deeper the sin - the greater would be God's grace (Romans 5:20 - 6:2)
In absence, Paul had the apostolic authority to "judge"
and "commit" the offender to Satan for "physical destruction" to ensure the offender's "spiritual
salvation" (I Corinthians 5:3-5)
This chastening of the early believing Gentiles was for
the purpose of maintaining a clear testimony to unbelieving Israel (I Corinthians 14:21-25 cf. Isaiah 28:11-12), so as to leave Israel with no excuse for her unbelief in Messiah
(Romans 10:20-21 cf. Isaiah 65:1-2)
Paul reproved the Corinthians for their "glorying"
and admonished them that the grace of the Passover Sacrifice was followed by the purging of leaven (sin) and that
they should follow the same sequence in their conduct (I Corinthians 5:6-8)
In Israel's spiritual calendar - the Feast of Passover
(Leviticus 23:4-5) was followed by the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6-8)
Paul had previously admonished the Corinthians NOT to
company with the grossly immoral of the world unless necessary in the incidental mundane affairs of this life (I Corinthians 5:9-10),
because while believers are "in the world" they are "not of the world" (John 17:14-16)
Paul admonished separation from the disorderly brother
(I Corinthians 5:11-13), which resulted in the godly sorrowful repentance of the sinful attitude
of the Church (II Corinthians 7:8-10) followed by their forgiveness of their repentant brother (II Corinthians 2:2-10)
Grace teaches that while "all things are lawful"
- "NOT all things edify" (I Corinthians 6:12)
Grace teaches that He Who resides within the believer's
body should dictate who the believer's associations should be (I Corinthians 6:15-20)
Grace teaches that God cannot "Father" the believer
who keeps reprobate associations (II Corinthians 6:14-18)