Les Feldick Bible Study

Who delivers a sinning church member to Satan, and by what authority is it done?

The Corinthian church gathered together with Paul's spirit present and the power of the Lord Jesus Christ delivers the sinning member to Satan. This is done by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ for the destruction of the flesh, so the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Les explains that the church, the body of Christ located in Corinth, is to be gathered together with Paul's spirit in the midst and naturally the Holy Spirit, and with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh. Les emphasizes that flesh, soul, and spirit are not the same, so Paul is not demanding the destruction of the man's soul and spirit as a believer. He is a believer, or they would not address him as such in the Corinthian letter. But they could turn such a one over to the power of Satan to destroy his physical life or flesh. Les points out that this is within Satan's power when God grants it, as with Job, where Satan could go only as far as God permitted. Paul is saying, in so many words, that if this couple will not clean up their act and come away from their open sin, then turn them over to the power of Satan to destroy the flesh, to take their lives physically, lest they keep bringing reproach to the name of Christ. This does not mean they will be annihilated spiritually; rather, for the destruction of the flesh, the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Les acknowledges this is hard for many to comprehend, that people living in such sinful condition are still saved, but they will not get away with it.