Was the Man in 1 Corinthians 5 Saved?
A Full Exegetical and Theological Analysis Using the KJV and the Greek Textus Receptus
1 Corinthians 5:1–7 (KJV)
1. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you... that one should have his father’s wife.
2. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned...
3. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit...
4. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together...
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.
6. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7. Purge out therefore the old leaven... For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.
Greek (TR) — 1 Corinthians 5:5
Transliteration: paradidōmi toioutos satanas eis olethros sarx,hina pneuma sōzō en ho hēmera ho kyrios iēsous
Translation: “To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus”
Step-by-Step Proof That He Was Saved
1. He Was Inside the Church
* “Taken away from among you” (v.2) shows he was inside the assembly.
* Discipline applies only to professing believers (vv.12–13).
* Paul questions his conduct, not his salvation.
2. Discipline Was Temporal, Not Eternal
* “Deliver to Satan” = physical chastening, not hell.
* Also used in 1 Timothy 1:20 — for correction.
* Goal: restoration and repentance, not damnation.
3. “That the Spirit May Be Saved” Means Eternal Security
* “Hina... sōthē” = purpose clause with expected result.
* Aorist passive subjunctive = confidence in outcome.
* Matches 1 Corinthians 3:15 — suffer loss but saved.
4. Spirit and Flesh Are Deliberately Contrasted
* “Destruction of the flesh” = physical suffering.
* The inner man remains preserved.
* Compare 1 Corinthians 11:30 — bodily judgment.
5. “The Day of the Lord Jesus” Refers to the Bema Seat
* Phrase found in 1 Corinthians 1:8, Philippians 1:6, 10.
* Refers to the Judgment Seat of Christ, not hell.
* Spirit saved at Christ’s return, not cast away.
Deeper Analysis of Verse 6: Leaven, Sin, and Sanctification
* “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” = influence of tolerated sin.
* Paul addresses the church’s purity, not the man’s conversion.
* Leaven = corruption, not proof of reprobation.
* He calls the church “unleavened” — includes the man.
Summary Table: Was the Man Saved?
* Church membership — “Among you” (v.2)
* Discipline not condemnation — “Deliver to Satan” (v.5)
* Eternal security affirmed — “Spirit may be saved” (v.5)
* Bema Seat, not hell — “Day of the Lord Jesus”
* Sin affects the body — “Leaven corrupts” but does not prove apostasy
* Paul’s goal — Purity, not proof of false conversion
Final Verdict: He Was Saved
* He was disciplined, not evangelized.
* Paul presumes eternal security and focuses on church sanctity.
* The man’s spirit will be saved at the Lord’s coming.
* The judgment is redemptive, not punitive.
Proof Texts Supporting Eternal Security
* “He that heareth my word, and believeth... hath everlasting life... and shall not come into condemnation” (John 5:24)
* “The gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29)
* Once saved, always saved — discipline is real, but salvation remains intact.
Part 2: 1 Corinthians 5:5 — A Case Study in Discipline, Not Damnation
Section 1: Greek Text Analysis (Textus Receptus)
1 Corinthians 5:5 (TR Greek):
παραδοῦναι τὸν τοιοῦτον τῷ Σατανᾷ εἰς ὄλεθρον τῆς σαρκὸς, ἵνα τὸ πνεῦμα σωθῇ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ.
Greek Term |
Translation |
Meaning |
|---|---|---|
παραδοῦναι |
to deliver |
Judicial handing over |
ὄλεθρον τῆς σαρκὸς |
destruction of the flesh |
Bodily affliction or physical death |
ἵνα |
that |
Purpose/result clause |
πνεῦμα σωθῇ |
spirit may be saved |
Expected salvation of the inner man |
ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ |
day of the Lord Jesus |
The Bema Seat judgment for believers only |
Grammar Note: The verb σωθῇ (“may be saved”) is aorist passive subjunctive, indicating anticipated divine action. Paul expresses confidence in the outcome, not mere hope.
Section 2: Step-by-Step Proof That He Was Saved
1. He Was Inside the Church
*“Taken away from among you” = part of the assembly
*Discipline is for insiders (1 Corinthians 5:12–13)
2.Temporal Judgment, Not Eternal Condemnation
*“Deliver to Satan” = physical judgment (cf. 1 Timothy 1:20)
*“Destruction of the flesh” = bodily suffering, not damnation
*Purpose = correction, not condemnation
3. “That the Spirit May Be Saved”
*Greek: ἵνα...σωθῇ = purpose clause
*Paul does not say: “that he may believe” or “be converted”
*Salvation is presumed; outcome is preservation
4. Spirit vs. Flesh Distinction
*“Flesh” = judged
*“Spirit” = preserved
*Confirms spiritual life despite serious sin
5. “Day of the Lord Jesus” = Bema Seat
*Not the Great White Throne (Revelation 20)
*Same phrase used in 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:6
*Always refers to believer evaluation
Section 3: Refuting the Claim: “He Was Never Saved”
False Claim |
Refuted By |
|---|---|
He sinned grievously |
David and Solomon sinned worse (2 Sam 11; 1 Kgs 11) |
Paul judged him |
Hebrews 12:6; Revelation 3:19 = discipline for sons |
Delivered to Satan = lost |
1 Timothy 1:20 — applied to believers |
“Spirit may be saved” is unclear |
If lost, Paul would say “believe” |
Section 4: Doctrinal Harmony With Free Grace Theology
Doctrinal Truth |
Scripture Reference |
|---|---|
Eternal life is a gift, not lost by sin |
John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9 |
Believers can fall into deep sin |
1 Corinthians 3:1–3; 1 John 5:16 |
God disciplines His children |
Hebrews 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 11:30–32 |
Salvation is secure, rewards are not |
Luke 15; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 2 Timothy 2:12 |
Section 5: Final Verdict and Evangelistic Appeal
*The man in 1 Corinthians 5 was saved
*His sin was serious, but discipline was restorative
*Paul’s purpose was purification, not proof of apostasy
*His spirit was secure in the day of the Lord Jesus
CLAIM: “The man lost his salvation.”
Fully Debunked:
*“Spirit may be saved” = secure (1 Corinthians 5:5)
*OT saints fell further and stayed saved
*Delivered to Satan = correction, not condemnation
*Discipline = for insiders (vv.12–13)
*“Day of the Lord Jesus” = Bema Seat, not hell
The Gospel Is a Gift, Not a Deal
Romans 4:5 (KJV): “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
Salvation is by grace through faith, not lifelong performance
Eternal life is a gift, not a probation
Scripture as the Final Word:
1 Corinthians 3:15 (KJV): “If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.”
Hebrews 4:12 (KJV): “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword...”
Final Call: Pray and Trust the Spirit
2 Timothy 2:25 (KJV): “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”
Why does Paul expect this man’s spirit to be saved?
Why doesn’t Paul call him to believe?
Why would discipline apply to an unbeliever?
What do John 5:24 and Romans 4:5 say about the permanence of eternal life?
Conclusion:
Believers can fall into sin, suffer loss, and still be eternally secure.
The man in 1 Corinthians 5 is a clear case study of eternal security.
His salvation remained — despite his sin — because God’s gifts are irrevocable.