Why did Paul rebuke the Corinthians for being puffed up instead of mourning in 1 Corinthians 5:2?
He rebuked them because they tolerated gross immorality—a man having his father's wife—without mourning or removing the offender. Rather than grieving, they were puffed up, did nothing, and even gloated. Their pride made them just as guilty, since a little leaven permeates the whole loaf.
Les explains that the Corinthians were permitting an act of immorality even the Gentiles would not think of doing: a man had his father's wife, a stepmother. In verse 2 they were puffed up and had not mourned that the one who did this deed might be taken away from among them. Instead of dealing with it, they did nothing; if anything, they smiled about it and made snide remarks. Paul had judged, though absent in body but present in spirit, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, not the soul—physical death if the man would not straighten up. Les notes they were just as guilty as he was because they were glorying and gloating over it. A little leaven permeates the whole loaf, so they had to deal with it. In the second letter, they did deal with it and evidently brought the man back into fellowship; his sin was forgiven and cleansed, and the letter had done its work.
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 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.