The thread through chapters 5–7
Paul addresses discipline, lawsuits, sexuality, marriage, divorce, singleness, and social status. The subjects are connected by belonging: the church belongs to Christ, believers belong to Christ, and bodies and relationships cannot be separated from discipleship.
1 Corinthians 5:1–13
Restorative holiness
Church discipline takes persistent public sin seriously, protects Christ’s people and witness, and seeks repentance and restoration rather than humiliation or revenge.
1 Corinthians 6:1–11
Conflict and gospel identity
Believers pursue wisdom and reconciliation rather than defrauding one another. The gospel center is verse 11: God washed, sanctified, and justified his people.
1 Corinthians 6:12–20
The body belongs to the Lord
Resurrection, union with Christ, and the Spirit’s presence mean bodily choices are not merely private. Christ bought his people at a price.
1 Corinthians 7
Marriage, singleness, and faithful calling
Marriage and singleness are distinct gifts and callings for faithful service. Neither is sin, neither makes a Christian complete, and both remain under Christ’s lordship.
Central question
How does belonging to Christ reshape the church’s response to serious sin, conflict, sexuality, marriage, and singleness?
Contemporary significance
The Gospel Then and Now
Church reality then
Belonging was contradicted
The Corinthians tolerated public sin, used courts against one another, treated bodies as disposable, and debated marriage and singleness.
Church temptation now
Grace is detached from discipleship
Churches can confuse grace with approval, conceal abuse, weaponize sexual ethics, idolize marriage, or treat singleness as an incomplete life.
Gospel-shaped church
Washed and bought by Christ
Because Christ washed and bought his people, the church pursues restoration, protects the vulnerable, honors God bodily, and supports faithful marriage and singleness.
Discuss
- How can church discipline communicate both the seriousness of sin and the hope of restoration?
- Why is “that is what some of you were” essential when teaching the vice list?
- How do resurrection, union with Christ, and the Holy Spirit make bodily choices more than private decisions?
- What is the difference between Christian freedom and being mastered by an appetite or desire?
- How can the church honor marriage without treating singleness as an incomplete Christian life?
Safety and law
Criminal conduct, abuse, threats, child endangerment, and matters requiring legal protection are not merely private church disputes. Protect vulnerable people and involve appropriate civil authorities.