Danger from Within

EVIL can never be remedied by ignoring or hiding it. In fact, covering it up is the worst that can happen, for like yeast, evil does its terrible work from within (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). The same is true of believers who live in consistent disobedience to God’s expressed will. Their behavior will badly infect the larger groups of which they are a part. It can even lead to a distorted perception of sin in which the group tolerates or even approves of disobedience among its own members yet condemns outsiders for the very same activity (Romans 1:32; 1 Corinthians 5:9-10).

Paul challenged the Corinthians to confront the subtle deterioration they had allowed within their congregation (1 Corinthians 5:5). However, once the perpetrator had repented, they were then to seek his restoration. Even though corrective activity among believers may be severe, confrontation should always be to promote healing rather than to expel wrongdoers (compare Matthew 18:15-22; 2 Corinthians 10:8). There are no throwaway people in the kingdom of God.

Courtesy of Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.