Jump Start # 3880
1 Corinthians 5:3 “For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present.”
This chapter of the Corinthian letter reveals yet another layer of trouble in that problemed church. Addressing division came first. After this chapter, comes thoughts about lawsuits. But here in the fifth chapter, Paul receives a report about a brother who was living immorally. Might this have been included in the report sent by Chloe’s people (1:11)?
Several important things need to be seen here. Understand the logistics and the geography. Paul is not in Corinth. Our verse admits that he is “absent in body.” The report Paul received must have been given by faithful and trustworthy brethren. This wasn’t perceived as gossip. This wasn’t rumors that may or may not be true. Paul understood that this was true.
But, here is the powerful lesson for us. Paul was here and the Corinthians were there and our verse tells us that he had “already judged him.” Now today, some would scream, you didn’t go talk to this man first. There is no indication that Paul had any contact with this sinful brother. It doesn’t seem that Paul met with him in private. It doesn’t seem that Paul wrote him a letter. Yet, based on reported information, Paul judged him. But, you have to go to him in person, face-to-face, some declare. Misunderstanding the Lord’s teaching in Matthew 18, some believe nothing can be done until a personal face to face conversation takes place. Paul didn’t do that. Maybe Paul understood the Lord’s words better than we do. Maybe we are making the Lord’s words a universal application that must fit in every situation.
Did Paul have a private discussion with Alexander before he warned Timothy about him? Text doesn’t tell us either way. Those that are wiggly with God’s word, especially those that say things publicly, like to run and hide behind Matthew 18 and say, “He didn’t come to me in private and talk about these things.” On social media, in print, in live stream, on websites, the audience these days is worldwide. Those that say crooked things dismiss charges against them and will not defend what they have said all because that person didn’t come to them in private. They turn the tables on the person who is questioning what they said.
The Matthew 18 passage is encased in the expression “sins against you.” This seems to make it a personal and private matter. And, that is the way it needs to be addressed. The circumstances in 1 Corinthians 5 was not private. The church knew about it. It was reported to Paul. It was widely known.
Some lessons from all of this:
First, Paul could judge a brother as being unfaithful and worthy of discipline even though he was not there. Absent in body, he could judge the man. Those of us that put things out to the public, be it in a Bible class setting, a sermon, something written, something posted on social media, a blog, a podcast, something on a website, must understand that brethren have a right to search the Scriptures to see whether those things are true or not. As a result, people have a right to defend what they believe is true. If they oppose something that was placed before the public, must they come and talk to us first?
Did Peter first have a private conversation with the false teachers before he blasted them in 2 Peter 2? Did Paul have a private conversation with those who forbade marriages (1 Tim 4:3)? Did Paul have a private conversation with those who were defrauding the Colossians of their prize (Col 2:18)? Before those early preachers could preach against idolatry, did they have to have private conversations with those who led idol worship? The answer to all of those question seems to be the same. I don’t think so.
Second, if we share something publicly then we ought to be able to defend it and give reason for our conclusions. Hiding behind, “He didn’t come to me first,” allows a person to say anything without having to support it or prove it. If it’s true, stand behind it. If it is not, stop saying it. When faithful men question ambiguous statements that tend to push the envelope of what is acceptable, we need to pause and give heed to that. This compels us to slow down, do our homework, dot the I’s and cross the T’s. Sloppy work leads to mistakes. Spending too much time at the wells of denominations can get us drinking the Kool-Ade of their progressive theology. Could this be one reason that James reminds us of the stricter judgment that falls upon teachers of God’s word? You don’t just say stuff and then later go and see if it were true. That’s backwards. You check and see if it is true before you say it. If you don’t know, then don’t say it. Don’t guess.
Third, social media has become an easy platform for spreading things that are not Biblical and true. Just because you didn’t write it doesn’t give you a pass if you “liked it,” or, “shared it.” Your endorsement means you agree. Don’t pass along books without putting qualifiers on them. Even the Devil quoted a passage correctly in the temptations. Yet, that doesn’t mean I can approve of what the Devil says. He is a liar the Lord tells us. When you share something on social media, you are telling the world that you agree with that. If you don’t agree, don’t share it. Social media can be a powerful tool to share the Gospel. It also can be a powerful way to spread error.
Paul, absent in the body, judged the unfaithful man in Corinth. Something to think about…
Roger