I Corinthians 5:5

Besides excommunication (of which the Corinthians themselves had the power), Paul delegates here to the Corinthian Church his own special power as an apostle, of inflicting corporeal disease or death in punishment for sin ("to deliver to Satan such an one," that is, so heinous a sinner). For instances of this power, see Act 5:1-11; Act 13:11; Ti1 1:20. As Satan receives power at times to try the godly, as Job (Job 2:4-7) and Paul (Co2 12:7; compare also as to Peter, Luk 22:31), much more the ungodly. Satan, the "accuser of the brethren" (Rev 12:10) and the "adversary" (Pe1 5:8), demands the sinner for punishment on account of sin (Zac 3:1). When God lets Satan have his way, He is said to "deliver the sinner unto Satan" (compare Psa 109:6). Here it is not finally; but for the affliction of the body with disease, and even death (Co1 11:30, Co1 11:32), so as to destroy fleshly lust. He does not say, "for the destruction of the body," for it shall share in redemption (Rom 8:23); but of the corrupt "flesh" which "cannot inherit the kingdom of God," and the lusts of which had prompted this offender to incest (Rom 7:5; Rom 8:9-10). The "destruction of the flesh" answers to "mortify the deeds of the body" (Rom 8:13), only that the latter is done by one's self, the former is effected by chastisement from God (compare Pe1 4:6): the spirit . . . saved--the spiritual part of man, in the believer the organ of the Holy Spirit. Temporary affliction often leads to permanent salvation (Psa 83:16).

In this chapter the apostle, I. Blames them for their indulgence in the case of the incestuous person, and orders him to be excommunicated, and delivered to Satan (Co1 5:1-6). II. He exhorts them to Christian purity, by purging out the old leaven (Co1 5:7, Co1 5:8). And, III. Directs them to shun even the common conversation of Christians who were guilty of any notorious and flagitious wickedness (Co1 5:9 to the end).

5:5 The instruction to throw this man out is not in the Greek text but is implied from 5:2, 13. • and hand him over to Satan: Cp. 1 Tim 1:20. Those who are outside of God’s church are under the power and control of Satan (see Eph 2:2; 1 Jn 5:19). • so that his sinful nature will be destroyed: (literally for the destruction of the flesh): The flesh may be interpreted figuratively as a reference to his evil desires or literally as his physical life (i.e., so that he will die). • and he himself will be saved: Perhaps he would repent and not be condemned (cp. 2 Cor 2:5-8). • on the day the Lord returns: Literally in the day of the Lord, which includes the final judgment.