3. Moral Laxity In The Church (5:1–6:20)
3. Moral Laxity In The Church (5:1–6:20)
Paul turns from one manifestation of the pride of the Corinthians to another, this one an unsavoury sexual sin. In the ancient world the Jews had high standards of sexual morality, but laxity was rife elsewhere, specifically among the Greeks. The Christian attitude to the prevailing practice was one of uncompromising opposition. The Corinthians, however, proud in their emancipation in Christ, seem to have felt that they could take a line quite different from that of other believers, even though this meant condoning serious sin. This brings forth Paul’s stern rebuke.