Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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1 Corinthians
Book: 1 Corinthians
Chapter: 5
Overview:
The
Apostle blames the
Corinthians for connivance at an
incestuous person;
(1-8) and directs their behaviour towards
those guilty of scandalous crimes.
(9-13)
1-8 The
Apostle notices a flagrant abuse, winked at
By the
Corinthians. Party
Spirit, and a false notion of
Christian
liberty, seem to have saved the offender from censure. Grievous
indeed is it that crimes should sometimes be committed
By
professors of the
Gospel, of which even heathens would be
ashamed. Spiritual pride and false doctrines tend to bring in,
and to spread such scandals. How dreadful the effects of
Sin!
The
Devil reigns where
Christ does not. And a
Man is in his
kingdom, and under his power, when not in
Christ. The bad
Example of a
Man of influence is very mischievous; it spreads
far and wide. Corrupt principles and examples, if not corrected,
would hurt the whole
Church. Believers must have new hearts, and
lead new lives. Their common
Conversation and religious deeds
must be holy.
So far is the
Sacrifice of
Christ our
Passover for
us, from rendering personal and public
Holiness unnecessary,
that it furnishes powerful reasons and motives for it. Without
Holiness we can neither live
By Faith in him, nor join in his
ordinances with comfort and profit.
9-13 Christians are to avoid familiar converse with all who
disgrace the
Christian name. Such are only fit companions for
their brethren in
Sin, and to such company they should be left,
whenever it is possible to do
So. Alas, that there are many
called Christians, whose
Conversation is more dangerous than
that of heathens!