How antinomianism causes hypocrisy (1Cor 5:9-10)

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. (1Cor 5:9-10)

Let’s take a moment to deduce what is going on here; Earlier in the chapter we learned that the Corinthians were not only tolerating sin in Church, but were actually celebrating it. Here we see that Paul has written to them about this in the past. And that upon receiving that message from him, the Corinthians had limited it to only demand a higher standard of unsaved people, while still allowing for immorality in the church.

As easy as it is to point out the blatant hypocrisy in that, recall our discussion on antinomianism from chapter 4. antinomianism, as you may remember is the doctrine that says there is no longer any value in obeying God’s commands because we are free from the law. Antinomianism is grace abuse. And it is a very short leap to go from antinomianism to demanding a higher moral standard for unsaved people. Since the unsaved are not under grace, they would still be under the law, so if you are going to be consistent you’ll have to go there. You really can’t avoid it.

The dangers of an indifferent conscience (1.Cor 4:4)

For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. (1.Cor 4:4)

Paul is not aware of any past or present sin that he has not brought before God, and that is an exceedingly restful position to be in. However, cultivating godliness and intimacy with God is not the only way to get there. There is another way, properly labeled antinomianism. You know what anti means, and nomos means law in Greek, so the word would describe those who are against the law. Those who accuse anyone who is obedient to the commands of God of being a legalist.

The antinomian would say along with Paul, I know of nothing against myself. After all Jesus died to forgive me all of my sins, so I can indulge in whatever I would like. We’re free from the law. “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” (Rom 6:1) The  antinomian would say “sure, why not?” Christ shed his blood to free them from the power of sin, and they see it as an occasion to increase their sin.

So here we have Paul, the obedient servant with a good conscience, and the antinomian with a dead conscience, both making the same claim. “I know nothing against myself”. Are they thereby acquitted? “No”, Paul says.The one who examines us it the Lord. We can not acquit ourselves. We can not declare ourselves to be right with God because we feel like we are. God is our judge, and we need to withstand his scrutiny.