Wait ... judge and kick someone out for a sexual sin?

It is widely reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of a kind not found even among pagans—a man living with his father’s wife.

And you are inflated with pride.

Should you not rather have been sorrowful? The one who did this deed should be expelled from your midst.
 
I, for my part, although absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as if present, pronounced judgment on the one who has committed this deed, in the name of [our] Lord Jesus: when you have gathered together and I am with you in spirit with the power of the Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan* for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. - 1 Cor 5: 1-5

From today's reading.

Several things struck me.

The man is guilty of a sexual offense - one that was unacceptable back then, but one that could be a movie-of-the-week plot today. Or might get a standing ovation at some film festival.

St. Paul said to confront and to kick the offender out for the good of his soul. Can you imagine if churches today kicked out everyone guilty of sexual sin? Of course, some would argue that it's not a sin when you "love" the person, but they would be wrong. It's a sin. The gravity of that sin for the individuals involved would vary depending on their understanding and so on, but it still would be a sin.

He's obviously critical of the community for allowing this to continue unaddressed. Again, think of
churches today who shy away from addressing such issues until some sort of crisis erupts. Those eruptions might have been avoided if such issues had been confronted immediately.

And St. Paul used the "j" word -  "pronounced judgment." So many people today condemn judgment - but of course in condemning judgment they are judging.

Just some thoughts.

Pax et bonum