Introduction
The word “purge” found in 1 Corinthians 5:13 is derived from the Greek word ἐξαίρω (exairo) meaning remove, drive away, to expel.1Gingrich, Felix Wilbur, et al. Shorter Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1983), 24. Nestle, Eberhard, et al. Novum Testamentum Graece, (Stuttgart, Germany: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2015), 225-226. Mounce, Bill. “Bill Mounce.” Ἐξαίρω, https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/exairo. Blass, Friedrich Wilhelm, et al. A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1986), 236. The word ἐξαίρω is only used once in the entire New Testament. The English Standard Version (ESV) defines ἐξαίρω as purge, whereas the New International Version (NIV) uses expel, the New American Standard Version (NASB) uses remove, and the King James Version (KJV) and New King James Version (NKJV) both use put away.2These four versions were used as they are familiar to the author and versions many Christians appear to be familiar with. This word is different from the beginning of the chapter, where, in verse two Paul says “Let him who has done this be removed from among you.” The word for removed in verse two is αἴρω (airo) which means to take up, take away, or lift up.3Gingrich, Felix Wilbur, et al. Shorter Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, 4. Nestle, Eberhard, et al. Novum Testamentum Graece, 225-226. Blass, Friedrich Wilhelm, et al. A Greek Grammar of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 24. “Bill Mounce.” Αἴρω, https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/airo. This word is used commonly in the New Testament, around a hundred and one times. The word ἐξαίρω carries with it a heaver meaning as it is an imperative verb, meaning the listener is commanded to act. The first word in the passage, but second word mentioned here, αἴρω is a verb which is also a call to action. Twice in this passage the word removed, though different words are used for it, is required of the listener. They are to remove the sexually immoral person from among them. Removal is not a side note for this passage, but is the call given to the people of the church in Corinth. This passage is bookended with the call to remove.
While 1 Corinthians 5 may seem like a discussion of the idea of sexual immorality, Paul’s central message of the chapter concerns the church’s response to sexual immorality. What is the church going to do? Furthermore, what will the members follow and believe, and how will they live out their practical theology? Will the church follow in the shadow of Aphrodite, or will it purify itself and follow Christ? The sentence, “purge the evil person from among you,” seems harsh and antithetical to the gospel, but it is there in black and white in the Scriptures. The church was given a call to purge someone from its midst, and hand them over to Satan. How is this a godly thing to do when believers are called to love well and draw people into the church? Why might purging be for the glory of God and the good of the saints? The church at Corinth struggled with these questions. There was confusion about what actual love and grace from Christ were, and how the church might best reflect that love and grace.
When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, he was seeking to address church conflict there. First Corinthians 5 deals specifically with the sexual sin of a member, the pride of the church, and the purity of the church. The issues that the church in Corinth dealt with are issues that still plague the church two thousand years later. Although many churches keep their sexually immoral members in the flock because they consider it kind, loving, and accepting to do so, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 states the opposite and issues a call for the church to instead purge those who call themselves Christians, but live sexually immoral lives. For allowing them to continue in the church provides opportunities for arrogance and boasting on the part of church members, destroys sincerity and truth, and confuses believers with unbelievers.4Diamant, Jeff, “Half of U.S. Christians Say Casual Sex between Consenting Adults Is Sometimes or Always Acceptable,” Pew Research Center, August 31, 2020, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/08/31/half-of-u-s-christians-say-casual-sexbetween-consenting-adults-is-sometimes-or-always-acceptable.
To keep reading this essay by Hannah Miller in the Journal of Biblical Soul Care Fall Edition 2023 click here.
