1. Disassociation for Restoration: Handing a person over to Satan (v.5) does not mean that the disciplined individual would lose his salvation, but that the church would exclude him from her fellowship, and thrust him out into the arena of the world. As a result, he would be vulnerable to Satan’s attack, and the intention is to bring back his senses towards repentance (similar to the situation of the prodigal son). The goal of church discipline is not punishment but to bring upon the repentance of the offender for restoration.

2. Disassociation for Purging Sin: Sin is contagious; allowing sin among the congregation would affect the whole church. Thus, Paul said, “there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed” (Eph. 5:3). Beware of the yeast of sin in our lives.

3. Disassociation for Church Discipline: Christians should not separate themselves completely from the world but need to maintain certain contacts in order to shed light and influence around them. As Jesus reminded the disciples before he sent them out, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matt. 10:16). We need to be in the world but not of the world (cf. Rom. 12:2). 

4. Your own insight: (fill in yourself)

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Meditation and Application:

Reflect upon your own life, what are some of the “yeasts” in your life? What are some practical steps that you could purge out these “yeasts”? Pray and commit your plan to God and ask for His empowerment to put it into practice.