What kind of sexual sin was in the Corinthian church that even the Gentiles did not practice?
In the Corinthian church, a man was involved in sexual immorality by taking his father's wife. Paul reports this fornication was so shocking that even the pagan Gentiles did not practice it, and it was openly known among them, not hidden.
Les teaches from 1 Corinthians chapter 5 that Paul writes to the same congregation about a case of fornication that was reported commonly, meaning it was not done in a corner but was openly known. The immorality was of such a kind that it was not even named among the Gentiles—even pagan Gentiles would not do what this couple was doing. Specifically, Paul says that one man had his father's wife. Les notes this is not a pretty chapter, but since they are going chapter by chapter, it must be dealt with.
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
More Questions
What was the sin in 1 Corinthians 5 that Paul was addressing?
The sin described in this passage was a stepson and his stepmother actually living together as husband and wife, which is what the commentators pretty much agree on.