"To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

What is your thought of the meaning of this verse ?

I have always taken this to mean that sometimes a person really needs to be worked over- particularly by letting his sin takes its natural course, in order for him to come to his senses-- like the prodigal son-- and come to brokenness and repentance.

I think Paul is essentially telling the congregation to leave the sinner alone-- don't intervene- and let nature take its course.

Oswald Chambers talks about not being amateur providences in someone's life. We have a tendency to try to make things better for someone who the Lord is dealing with when in fact we are interfering with God's work in their life. Our role is to intercede as intercessors-- not interfere.

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Todd

I believe in a literal meaning. I am around people who are constantly tormented by demons. main causes: Drug use, rebellion, occult, etc

Its sad because I was in their shoes once, and I had no idea of what or why it was going on. I'm still on the road to healing, myself, but I can observe it happening in other people now with light on the subject

some verses on topic:


and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
(2 Timothy 2:26 NASB)

No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
(2 Corinthians 11:14 NASB)

Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.
(1 Timothy 1:20 NASB)

(Even Paul had a demon that would humble him)

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself!
(2 Corinthians 12:7 NASB)

so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
(2 Corinthians 2:11 NASB)

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
(Galatians 6:7-8 NASB)

to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'
(Acts 26:18 NASB)

For we wanted to come to you--I, Paul, more than once--and yet Satan hindered us.
(1 Thessalonians 2:18 NASB)

Noah, those are some good scriptures to ponder.

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Bill

a few more about "punishment":

"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
(Exodus 20:5-6 NASB)

who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations."
(Exodus 34:7 NASB)

'The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.'
(Numbers 14:18 NASB)

"Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments; but repays those who hate Him to their faces, to destroy them; He will not delay with him who hates Him, He will repay him to his face.
(Deuteronomy 7:9-10 NASB)

then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
(2 Peter 2:9 NASB)


I've come to the conclusion that although God does forgive iniquity, transgression and sin, he still makes the person "reap what they sow" so either they learn never to do it again, or otherwise perish.

This is not an easy subject.

Thank you for the replies,

Is there anyone with the impression that : "the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." might be referring to the spirit of the church instead of the spirit of the wicked man ?

what are your thoughts ?

"Is there anyone with the impression that : "the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." might be referring to the spirit of the church instead of the spirit of the wicked man?"

NAY!

2 Cor. 2:6-11 Enough to such is this punishment, which is by the majority. So that, on the contrary, you are rather to deal graciously and console, lest somehow such may be swallowed up by the more excessive sorrow. Wherefore I am entreating you to ratify your love to him. For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, if you are obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes I forgave it, in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

May wisdom apply His Word.

Hi savannah,

thank you for the reply,

I was aware that some people believe that 2 Cor. 2:6-11 is speaking specifically about 1 cor. 5 and the wicked man that had his fathers wife. but I am not sure that I am convinced of that. I am not totally opposed to it either, it is a good point.

A question for savannah and anyone else, what are your thoughts: Was this wicked man a trully born again brother whom fell into abominational sin and that by the destruction of his flesh he may be compelled to repent and then be saved on the day of the Lord Jesus ?

If he was a trully born again brother whom fell into abominational sin and the process of the destruction of his flesh was carried out to its fullness : unto death before he repented. Do you believe that he would still be saved on the day of the Lord Jesus ?

Or was he a false convert whom by the destruction of his flesh, might be afterwards pressed into a true regenerational state ?

What are your thoughts ?

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Travis