Such were some of you

The theme of this chapter is in contrast to chapter 5. In a company that seemed so complacent about moral issues of such gravity, they were prepared to go to law over matters of relative triviality. What a challenge! How important to put things into the right perspective!

Paul seeks to teach these believers something of the dignity of their calling. ‘Saints shall judge the world’, v. 2. ‘We shall judge angels’, v. 3. ‘Ye are washed . . . sanctified . . . justified’, v. 11. Should they not think of what they once were and what God had made them in Christ? When we think of the honour bestowed upon us in the purposes of God, why is it that we cannot ‘judge between . . . brethren?’ v. 5.

The latter section of the chapter is of significance when facing issues for which there is no direct divine revelation. In a society where ‘anything goes’, and the rights of the individual seem paramount, the scripture offers guidance for the believer. There are three guides: (1) expediency - what do I stand to gain spiritually? Is this activity for my spiritual profit? (2) enslavement - will it endanger my spiritual liberty? Will I ‘be brought under the power of any’, v. 12? (3)expectation - will it hinder my service for God? ‘The body is . . . for the Lord’, v. 13.

On the basis of these principles we should be able to appreciate that immorality is completely out of character with the confession we have made. Seen against the background of the immorality of the city of Corinth, it was important to state clearly that any association with harlots was wrong. But as well as the statement of the negative, Paul also stresses what positive action we can take to preserve our character and testimony, ‘Flee fornication’, v. 18. We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. Our body is the inner temple, or holy place, of the Holy Spirit. We should bear the character of the One who indwells us. Equally, the indwelling Holy Spirit tells us that we are no longer our own - we have been ‘bought with a price’, v. 20. Well might we pause to consider that awful price that was paid and, consequently, the debt of gratitude that we owe! Do we glorify God in our every word and deed? Could we start today?