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Spirit and Flesh: An Interpretation of 1 Corinthians 5:5



Author(s)

Daniel K. Bediako

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DOI:10.17265/2328-2177/2013.01.003

Valley View University, Accra, Ghana

1 Corinthians 5:5 presents both exegetical and theological difficulties that relate to the spirit-body dichotomy. After establishing the historical-literary context and analyzing the relevant lexical items of the text, the study submits that Paul’s verdict in 1 Corinthians 5:5 is figurative. The Apostle instructs the church to figuratively hand over the incestuous man to Satan (i.e., expel him from fellowship), so that in light of the accompanying disgrace and grief the man would come back to his senses, turn away from his sin, and be accepted back into fellowship. The contrast between “flesh” and “spirit” indicates that either of these terms refers to the person as a whole. It appears that generally Paul uses the “body-soul-spirit” terminology to refer to the totality of the person, but uses “body/flesh-spirit” terminology either as an abbreviation of “body-soul-spirit” or as another form of expressing the old creature/new creature dialectic of Christians.

spirit, flesh ,Corinthians