BIBLE STUDY

Deliver to Satan
1 Corinthians 5:5 KJV [5] To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

A brother asked for the explanation of
1 Corinthians 5:1-6 the term " deliver to satan for the destruction of the flesh "
Below were (are) my answers
The best way to read scriptures isn't to read your thoughts into it but rather contextually and grammatically understand it.
Three terms are needed for clarification.
"Deliver such and one to satan”,
"destruction of the flesh " and
"that his spirit may be saved"
Let me answer the second quickly " the flesh is different from his flesh “.
The flesh refers to carnality or sinful nature not physical body.
Romans 8:8-9 KJV [8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9] But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
The term "His flesh "would have left a suggestion of either his physical body or the carnal nature.
Since we have "the flesh "it wasn't referring to the physical body but a spiritual principle.
So it’s clear the death of the body isn't implied here as that won't destroy carnality.
Btw- the term destroy here means to ruin or render useless.
Many folks in Corinth had been acting up but this was an unrepentant and condoned act and actor (this can easily be understood in the opening verses) The flesh here refers to carnal behavior.
1 Corinthians 3:1,3-4 KJV [1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
So haven cleared the issue of flesh, let’s get to the "deliver such and one to satan"
The term deliver originally was used 2 other times for handing you over to your accusers akin to betrayal.
Moreover, Paul used the term again
1 Timothy 1:20 KJV [20] Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Learn?
Yes, it’s a disciplinary measure to correct and not destroy the believer.
When this happens it leads to repentance. Another reference will suffice
2 Corinthians 13:10 KJV [10] Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
He was being firm but it's to build them and not " kill" but rather destroy carnality.
So how is this?
The proceeding verses will clear the air, how?
1 Corinthians 5:7,9,11,13 KJV [7] Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us:
9] I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
11] But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
13] But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore, put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
This act was to be done by the church not a ' supernatural power of a great apostle to mutilate and kill".
This delivering to satan as to" purge out"," not company with” “put away " the erring brother not for the sin (as different from the Galatians 6:1 example) but for the attitude towards it.
Paul delivered the brother by issuing an instruction to the church not to satan or angels.
The term " that his spirit maybe saved in the day of The Lord Jesus "is tricky in the KJV but not so in the originals.
The originals which rather than use the imperative verb of that ...May be, is definitive as his spirit is saved unto the lord’s day!
it's used in the finite not infinite!
It doesn't undo the clear doctrine of Christ's Eternal salvation.
Paul's instruction here is in tandem with subsequent instructions for such erring folks
The following are scriptural / pastoral instructions to discipline an erring church member
Romans 16:17 KJV [17] Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Also 2 Thessalonians 3:14 KJV [14] And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
And 1 Timothy 6:5 KJV [5] Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
The discipline is to avoid such a brother/ sister.
This withdrawal will cause any true saint to effect changes but it must be done in love not in a critical and hateful manner.
As a brother not an enemy.
Staying away (termed temporary excommunication) is the explanation of the term deliver to satan and not sickness, evil or pain.
This is to cause the erring brother / sister to change his ways! Hope this is clear?
I call you blessed
Jesus is Lord, we win

PASTOR CHRIS ONAYINKA