1 Corinthians 5 - A "brother" (v. 11) in the Corinthian church had sexual relations with his father's wife. Paul described the unusual nature of this sin when he said that it was “not even said among the Gentiles that one should have his father's wife” (v. 1). This man's behavior was bad, but the Corinthian Church's tolerance of him was also bad. Paul condemned these sins, and necessary corrections were then made (2 Cor. 2:6; 7:11). But what was the spiritual condition of the fornicator before his repentance? If he remained saved, why did Paul order the Corinthians to withdraw their association with him (vv. 4, 5, 9, 11, 13)? Did the fornicator remain saved while engaging in sin? The proponent of “once saved, always saved” will have to say yes. However, the Bible says otherwise. Comparing the list of sins in 1 Corinthians 5:11 with the list in chapter 6:9, 10, we learn that a Christian can commit the same sins that a non-Christian can commit. We also learn the consequences of these sins. Paul said that those who do such things “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9, 10). This means that before his repentance and forgiveness, the Corinthian fornicator had lost his access to heaven – he had fallen from grace. Paul first lays the groundwork for the context of what he is going to talk about. The problem he addresses in the Corinthian Church is sexual morality. More precisely, some kind of incest (mother or stepmother...probably the latter) (1 Cor 5:1). Then he addresses those who approved of the sexual behavior and rightly condemns them (1 Cor. 5:2). As an aside, Paul elsewhere condemns people who approve of those who practice sin (Rom 1:32). Why didn't they lose... middle of paper...... what should I do to judge them also those who don't? do you not judge those who are within? But those without God judge them. Therefore put away this wicked man from among you. (1 Cor 5:10-13) Paul states that he nor any Christian has the authority from God to carry out an order of excommunication against anyone who is not a Christian. In fact, it would be impossible to achieve this as one would have to leave the world completely to accomplish such a feat. If this sinful Christian has truly lost his “saved position,” then that puts him back into the category of “the world” over which Paul explicitly states we have no excommunicating authority. If his fornication cost him his salvation, then he was no longer a brother but a stranger and we must have the authority to judge a person in this way. Only a true Christian can be excommunicated from the Church.