You have heard "Thou shalt not Judge", and yet Paul in I Corinthians 5 is condemning the church at Corinth for not purging this person from them. What can we learn from this?
2007-03-13 15:16:07 · 6 answers · asked by Joey 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Was Paul passing judgement?
2007-03-13 15:39:51 · update #1
I don't believe it is the same as passing judgement coming from Paul's mouth. Although it appears that way while reading the chapter. It sounds more like he's using the words that Christ may have him instructed to use. Another words, I think Paul was more of a voice box for God himself. It would be impossible to live in this world and not be among the people who have chosen to live with their sinful ways. But then again, now after looking at verse 12, Paul was or it appears that he was judging the people within the church, not outside the church. The ones that have already professed their belief in Christ. Was this his assigned job to the church of Corinth based on the teachings of Christ? Like the parent or head of that church at that time? I don't believe pronouncing judgement against a certain sinful behavior is the same as passing judgement on someone. It's seems like Paul is just pointing out the sin and warns not to become part of it. This reminds me of when I was taught the difference between the local church verses the universal church. Paul was speaking to one church, I believe. Now you have my head in many directions which is not a good thing cause I can be a WingNut at times.
2007-03-14 00:38:58 · answer #1 · answered by meganzopf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That assessing the behavior of others is a tricky but necessary business. All of our interactions are behavior, so it's only natural to observe the behavior of others and form an opinion of it. It's what a culture is made of and how its norms are enforced. So the difference comes down to what you intend with your observations and feedback. If you really want to help someone, you'll approach it with kindness and compassion and it likely to work. But most of the judging we see in society tends to be more just to expose how bad we think someone else is, perhaps as a way of taking attention off ourselves. I think we can learn more about the judges than the judged in those cases.
2007-03-13 15:31:50 · answer #2 · answered by dhcasti 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I can say that committing adultery is wrong. I cannot say that the person doing such is going to hell, I do not know if they are flagrantly doing this, or if it is something they struggle with. I do not know whether or not they are asking God for the strength to stop. I cannot say, even though I am not committing adultery, that I am better than them. i can say that if somebody keeps doing this and says they are not going to stop then they must be "purged" to keep the church pure, and hopefully to bring about repentance.
2007-03-13 15:32:18 · answer #3 · answered by Laura H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good point. I'm going to say that yes, condemning something would be like judging it. I guess it's all in how it's worded.
2007-03-13 15:20:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think condemning anyone else's personal life when they are doing nothing to hurt you or anyone else is being judgmental, whatever you want to call it.
2007-03-13 15:20:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Condemning sin is kinda necessary, but condemning people ("You're going to hell!) is wrong.
2007-03-13 15:38:25 · answer #6 · answered by Terial 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋