Urgency and Severity: Pauline Rationale for Expulsion in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

Download or read book Urgency and Severity: Pauline Rationale for Expulsion in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 written by David E. Bosworth and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2024-05-21 with total page 326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When Paul heard that a Christ-follower in Corinth was in an incestuous relationship with his stepmother, the apostle insisted the man be removed immediately from the congregation. This dramatic response is surprising, as Paul responds to other serious situations with much less vehemence. Why did Paul react to the immoral man with such urgency and severity? Using socio-cultural tools, this study explains the importance of group identity and witness for Paul’s ecclesiology. The argument lays a foundation for contemporary readers to appraise contexts where an expulsive response to sin might be appropriate.