Yes—Paul teaches that God deals with serious sin in the church through corporate discipline, even delivering the unrepentant believer to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so the spirit is saved.
In 1 Corinthians 5, the church was to act in the name and power of the Lord Jesus Christ and deliver the guilty believer to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. This was a severe physical judgment, not the destruction of the person's soul and spirit. The goal was that the believer's spirit would still be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 5:4-5 — Paul gives the direct command: the church is to deliver the unrepentant man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved.
In 1 Corinthians chapter 5, Paul instructs the church at Corinth to deal with a case of gross immorality in their midst. He writes, "I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed" (verse 3). When the church is gathered together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and with the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, they are 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" (verses 4–5).
Les teaches that Paul is addressing a saved believer who is living in open, gross sin, not an outsider. The command to "deliver such a one unto Satan" does not mean God will destroy the person's soul and spirit. The flesh is not the same as the soul and spirit, so the destruction spoken of is physical—possibly even premature death—so that the believer's spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Paul had already judged the matter even though he was absent in body. The church was to gather together and, in the name and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, deliver the unrepentant man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. Les emphasizes this was not to be ignored; it was a corporate act of discipline, not a private matter.
No. Les repeatedly stresses that Paul's concern is the destruction of the physical flesh, not the spirit. The man is a believer; if he were not, Paul would not address him this way. The purpose is that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. God is not annihilating the person spiritually, but physically removing him from a life of reproach.
Using the Book of Job, Les shows that Satan's power is always limited by God. In Job's case, Satan could do only what God permitted. In the same way, when a person is delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, God sets the boundary. The physical judgment is severe, but the believer's soul and spirit remain secure.
Your Body Is God's Temple — What 1 Corinthians 3 Really Means
came into Solomon's temple in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit comes into us. Now not as visibly, and it isn't manifested in much the same way, but according to the book this is what happened. And if the book says it, we have to believe it, that He is dwelling within us. Now the questions come up, and I think I answered in my last newsletter if I'm not mistaken.
Deliverance to Satan—Not Spiritual Destruction
Les shows that Paul is instructing the church to turn the offender over to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, but that this does not touch the man's soul and spirit.
Satan Limited by God Like Job
Les uses Job to show that Satan can only act within God's permission, so the physical destruction of the flesh is a severe but bounded judgment.
Corporate Confrontation Required
Les insists the church must not overlook gross immorality but must handle it corporately, confronting the offenders in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Paul Already Judged the Matter
Les points to Paul's own statement that he has already judged the situation, even while absent, showing that unrepentant sin cannot simply be allowed to continue.
Physical Punishment for the Spirit's Preservation
Les connects the discipline with physical affliction or death, while making clear the saved person is not lost again, and the church is guilty if it does nothing.
A Sin Unto Death
Les explains that continuing in gross sin can become a sin unto death, causing God to take the believer out of this life while still saving his spirit.
Judging Sin Within the Believing Community
Les teaches that believers are responsible to point out gross sin among one another, not to refuse judgment, and cites Galatians 6 on restoring such a person.
1 Corinthians 5:4: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Paul tells the gathered church to act with the authority of Christ in exercising discipline.
1 Corinthians 5:5: 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.
This is the central command—physical destruction, but spiritual salvation.
1 John 5:17: All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Les uses this verse to explain that some sin can lead to physical death while not destroying the believer's spiritual life.
No. According to Les Feldick, Paul is concerned for the destruction of the flesh, not the soul and spirit. The goal is that the believer's spirit may still be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 5:5).
Les teaches that certain gross sins, like the immorality in Corinth, can be a 'sin unto death,' resulting in physical death while the person remains saved.
The church should not look away. It is to confront the person as a body and, if unrepentant, deliver them to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.
Watch the Teaching: Your Body Is God's Temple — What 1 Corinthians 3 Really Means