Urgency and Severity: Pauline Rationale for Expulsion in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 (Biblical Interpretation, 221)

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.

David E. Bosworth, Ph.D. (2022), Evangelische Theologische Faculteit Leuven, is Professor of New Testament Studies and Mission at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado and a Research Associate in the Department of New Testament and Related Literature at the University of Pretoria. He also serves as U.S. Director for the Zodhiates International New Testament Study Center in Athens, Greece.