1 Corinthians 5

Paul's epistles are "occasional" letters. Occasional does not mean that the letters are written at irregularly spaced intervals. Instead, Paul's letters are addressed to specific congregations with specific issues. Corinth's issues revolve around sex, resources/food, and power.

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul finally begins to address the issues at hand. The word Paul uses is porneia, the root for our word pornography (a written porneia). The root of Porneia meant prostitute, male or female. This kind of sexual anarchy described violates the sanctity of the community and of the individuals involved. In Corinth, a man is living with his father's wife. Paul accuses a member of the community of incest, an ethical violation in virtually every culture. This breach corroded the life of the congregation and led to arrogance and defensiveness.

Paul makes the theological connection between sex and passover. Passover is a time for renewal and restoration, a deliverance from whatever is oppressing us. Lent is the forty days leading up to passover, a time to throw out the old things from our lives, remembering what Jesus has done for us and the new life to which he has called us. Actions based in "Sincerity and Truth" require repentance. May we become worthy, for worthy is the Lamb, Jesus Christ!