If anything is obvious in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, it is that the church in Corinth was in deep trouble. There was a serious public scandal among the membership. Nothing was being done about it.

This, says the apostle, arises from their pride: “You are puffed up and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you” (1 Cor. 5:2). They think they are doing fine by not being “judgmental”! Does this ring a bell with respect to the state of too many churches today?

The apostle has diagnosed the problem, but what about the remedy? Illness is one thing—the cure is something else again. In this case the church is both doctor and patient. Both are in need of instruction as to the proper treatment. Both need the right attitude if the treatment is going to be effective! They all need to face the facts of sin squarely and be so humbled before the Lord that they will mourn for the guilty and resolve to deal with ...