How is 1 Corinthians 5:5 meant to be understood?
“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.” -1 Corinthians 5:5
There is a man whom I consider to be a prophet and evangelist, or at the very least a man who has done much for God. He told a story of his experience which is recorded below the way I remember it and with the meaning I got from it.
He shared that his one daughter came to visit him one day. He had been praying for her for seven years because she was raised as a Christian, but had been living in disobedience to the scripture, both by her lifestyle and the way she dressed. He told her that he just could not pray for her anymore, but that he prayed for God to remove the hedge of protection from her. He desired her to see trouble in the flesh so that she might repent and be saved (or perhaps to repent and revive Christ as the center of her life). That her trouble in the flesh may wake her up from her spiritual slumber. She thought he did not love her when he told her that he prays for God to take his protection away from her. He told her that it is because he loves her that he prayed in that manner. He also said that if he did not pray that way that it would just kill him. He could not bear to grieve over her any longer. Finally, after hearing him share that with her she repented, and changed her life.
When I heard this story I immediately thought of 1 Corinthians 5:5and 1 Timothy 1:20. I believe that this is the same approach which the apostle Paul took with certain believers(?) when he used the phrase “delivered unto Satan.”
There are also two other portions of scripture (in Job and in Luke) which come to mind, which may be useful to bring into our consideration on this subject (also perhaps Psalms 109:6 andActs 26:18).
Below we can read Job 2:3-7 and see how God allowed Job to be delivered unto Satan, with the stipulation that his life was not entirely destroyed. However, the life which he knew was destroyed. His own body was diseased and pained, and he lost all of his worldly wealth and much of his family. And yet he remained faithful to God and received by his life’s end more than he formerly had (Job 42:1-17). By this example we see what the experience and result of being delivered unto Satan may be. It is to prove whether we be a child of God or a child of the devil (1 John 3:10, 4:4, John 8:44, Romans 8:14-17, Romans 9:11, 26-27).
“And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” - Job 2:3-7
In a sense this is also what we see happening to Peter in Luke 22:31-34.
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.”
Here Peter is tested, and he fails the test. But realizing his mistake he repents, and is only then finally converted into a more faithful disciple.
Another thought echoed by many commentators is that “delivered unto Satan” simply means to cast out of the church fellowship - to excommunicate. Since one is casting them out of God’s Kingdom and into Satan’s. I object to this idea, as it infers that men have power to say who is and who is not in God’s Kingdom. I do not believe any man has that power. I see that power as belonging to Christ alone (Romans 8:34). Though I am sure the Pope of Rome would claim that power since he claims to be the vicar of Christ (the substitute for Christ). Also, that would not fit Paul’s description of the flesh being destroyed in order for the spirit to be saved. The idea of someone reentering Christ’s Kingdom after being cast out of Christ’s kingdom is most absurd (Hebrews 6:4-8). This opinion falsely equates the institutional church to the true church (the bride of Christ). It should be obvious that the institutional church is not the same as God‘s true church. There have been, are, and will continue to be saints shunned by the institutional church, as well as children of the devil who are accepted by (and perhaps leading) the institutional church.
So then, regarding the interpretation of the phrase “delivered unto Satan” I agree with John Chrysostom as can be evidenced by reading his homily (sermon) on 1 Timothy 1:20. Further, I believe that there are faithful servants of God in this present day who have the power through the Holy Ghost to deliver men unto Satan. As faithful men (I mean mankind) in service to God they will know God‘s will in particular matters and be instruments of God to declare his will and to put in effect His judgment, just as the Apostle Paul did. The gifts of the Spirit are in God’s people just as they have always been. The Holy scriptures to not teach otherwise. If you doubt this consider John 14:12, and how that after Christ went to the Father the Holy Ghost was sent to earth to be with us until Christ’s return. This is plainly known by all who know the scriptures.