unusual scripture ??

What are your thoughts on this scripture

1 Corinthians 5:5
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Our church body just recently discussed this Scripture, because of a need to apply 1 Corinthians 5 to one who was a brother who was sinning grievously. It was very interesting to be part of, because I have never heard this Scripture discussed before. I don't think we really got into the depths of what God is trying to say, but here are a few initial observations.

1. When we break with a person as a brother or sister, they are cut off from the grace of the local fellowship. They are now taken out of the visible representation of the kingdom of God and are thus "delivered over to Satan".

2. Satan will use sin to destroy people's bodies (and minds). The hope is that for someone who knows Christ or knows about him, they will realize as their life is destroyed that Christ is a good master and so their spirit can be saved through repentance. Paul obviously didn't think when you put someone out that they would not or could not come back, because they did in this situation (read 2 Cor).

Beyond the specifics of Satan, often churches do not have the courage to discipline in this way. But God's plan is for the person to be saved, as the Scripture says. When we use carnal reasonings in order to "bear with or help or love" a grossly sinning brother or sister, we actually work against God, even if our motives felt right. They end up being wrong. The church is harmed, God is dishonored, lost people think they are Christians, and sin becomes acceptable.

Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God shall destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which you are. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool so that he may be wise.
-1 Corinthians 3:16-18

Whose bodies are the temple of God?
In what way do we defile our temple of God?
What will God do to that one?
Is it only Satan who will destroy our bodies or us?

The answers seem very clear.

There is a certain blessing that comes upon a man or woman who is a part of the corporate body. This man was in the Corinthian church, and was enjoying life in the body, yet he was harboring and practicing a secret sin. When confronted he was not repentant.

Often a person who is in such a position has a great number of people praying for him or her. By our prayers we hold the enemy at bay in that person's life and they do not suffer the full physical consequences of their sin. Consider the drug addict. We pray that they will wake to the reality of their position, repent, and be converted. We pray that their bodies will be spared the natural consequences of the use of that drug. We pray they will not contract an STD,etc.

I believe Paul is saying,"OK, that is it. This man is totally unrepentant. We will now stop praying for him, stop interceding, and allow the full consequence of this man's sin to reside in his body. We will no longer hold Satan at bay in this man's life. We are turning him over to Satan that he might suffer the full physical consequences of what he has been doing, whatever that may be."

I think this is the last resort step in church discipline, is only entered upon by the spiritual leadership of the church, and then only after prayer and determination that this is God's will.

Hey, thanks everyone, I had always heard it taught from a osas position that this person was saved regardless of his unrepentant sin, and something in that just seemed unusual to me, But you guys shined some light on it for me, thanks

A practical application of this scripture, I have seen in Zac Poonen Church. When he sees a brother caught up in Sin without any sign of Repentance (even after repeated advice), he asks the brother to set things right and then join the Church later. This way rest of the Church will not break bread or fellowship with a brother who is unwilling to repent.
To be expelled of a body of Christ is like to be given over to Satan.
1 Corinthians 5-11:-
But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

Hi proudpapa,

I'm currently reading John MacArthur's 2 sermons on this. He touches on the different verses with regards to this--Old and New Testament.

Here's the links (audio and transcript).

http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/54-9/Delivered-to-Satan-Part-1

http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/54-10/delivered-to-satan-part-2