Even with a fully regenerate membership, it is possible for a church to, at times, behave in ways that belie its profession: for the regenerate to behave in ways that are unregenerate, displaying the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16–21). This will not be characteristic of the church, but it may be true occasionally and sinfully. As was the case in Corinth. The church had grown in a number of ways, but not in Christlike maturity. The church looked too much like the world in which it existed. It was tragic. It needed to change. Repentance was called for. We will consider Paul’s call for repentance under three broad headings:

1. A Disappointing Contrast (v. 1)

2. A Debilitating Condition (vv. 2–3a)

3. A Dominating Culture (vv. 3b–4)