Why was the Corinthian church's tolerance of this sin such a serious problem for the name of Christ?
The tolerance brought reproach upon the name of Christ throughout Corinth because even pagans knew of the unrebuked immorality. Instead of mourning and removing the offender from fellowship, the congregation was puffed up, so the open sin dishonored Christ before the city.
Les explains that the sin involved a stepson and his stepmother living together as husband and wife, a gross immoral situation even for Corinth. Paul's real point of condemnation was that the Corinthians were puffed up instead of mourning, and they should have removed the offender from fellowship. The whole congregation, across factions following Peter, Apollos, or Paul, knew about it and was not bothered. Les notes this brought reproach upon the name of Christ throughout Corinth, since even the pagans knew what was going on and it was not hidden.
And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
More Questions
How did the different factions in the Corinthian church respond to the sin in their midst?
Every faction in the Corinthian church — followers of Peter, of Apollos, and of Paul — was alike in tolerating the situation and not being bothered by it.
How did the Corinthians respond to the gross immorality that was happening in their church?
The Corinthians did nothing about the gross immorality; instead they were smiling about it and making snide remarks.
What did the Corinthians do about the immorality in their church?
The Corinthians did nothing about the gross immorality in their midst; if anything, they were smiling about it and making snide remarks.