In the Corinthian assembly, there was both moral and spiritual declension. The city of Corinth did not have high moral standards and it affected the believers in that city. We can easily be influenced by our surroundings if we are not careful. What was reported to the Apostle was not a matter of mere gossip — it was widely known. Instead of mourning over their sin, they were puffed up and did not deal with the evildoer. The Apostle writes to tell them what to do in this situation. They were to act in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ when they came together as an assembly and remove the offender from their midst. An example is given to them. When a baker puts a little leaven into a lump of dough, what happens? The entire loaf is leavened and rises. So a little evil allowed in the assembly will affect the entire company. Christians gathered unto the holy name of the Lord Jesus are commanded by the Lord to put out any within the assembly who, by doing evil, have dishonored His name. They are not responsible to judge the wicked in the world who are without the fellowship — God will do that in a coming day. We must each be ready to judge ourselves when we sin, for “if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged ... not be condemned with the world.”
1. Instead of being puffed up, what should the Corinthians have rather done? __________ 1 Corinthians 5:___
2. Whose name gave them the power to judge this sad situation? __________ 1 Corinthians 5:___
3. How much leaven does it take to leaven a whole lump of bread? __________ 1 Corinthians 5:___
4. If we had to avoid all the wicked people in this world, what would we need to do? __________ 1 Corinthians 5:___
5. Who is going to judge the wicked people of the world who are outside of the fellowship of the assembly? __________ 1 Corinthians 5:___