Although the expression “outside the camp” appears nowhere in today’s reading, it is a core biblical idea at play in both today’s first reading from the 1st Letter to the Corinthians and gospel passage from Luke. In Sacred Scripture, the expression “outside the camp” in the Bible has both literal and symbolic meanings. Literally, it referred to areas outside the Israelite encampment during their time in the wilderness, where the sinners, the unclean/impure were sent (e.g., Leviticus 13:46). This was done to maintain ritual purity within the camp, which symbolized the presence of God among His people.
Symbolically, “outside the camp” represents separation, exclusion, or rejection from the community. In a spiritual sense, it can signify being cast out of the presence of God or the community of believers. In the New Testament, Hebrews 13:12-13 connects this idea to Jesus, who was crucified “outside the gate,” implying that He bore the shame and sin of humanity outside the sacred space.
For St. Paul the believing community of people gathered in Corinth forms a sacred space, a space where the presence of God is among them in the Word proclaimed and the Eucharist celebrated. Not a place for the impure to be present, especially when it has been reported to Paul “that there is sexual immorality among you.” (porneia) In this instance the problem is not just porneia in general which Paul as already addressed. What exercises Paul now is that the form of porneia they are tolerating is of a kind that was not condoned “even among pagans,”: “a man living with his father’s wife.”
Paul is asking (a) how could a Christian man have done such a thing in the first place, something that is perceived as heinous. And (b) how could the community condone, even if silently, such a practice? Paul asks “And you are inflated with pride.” Rather than pride, sorrow is the proper response to such sin in their midst. Further, Paul holds that the man should have been “expelled from your midst” – put outside the camp, or in modern terms excommunicated.
There are always some who see this action as harsh and unloving; but St. Paul has in mind the biblical view of God’s holiness. This is not a question of “church discipline.” Paul is concerned about the holiness of the assembly as well as the holiness of the individual. Paul is expressing what should be the normal consequences of being the people of God, who are called to be his holy people.
It all should raise questions in our minds. So… here’s a question: are you holy? Tough question, heh? No one wants to answer “Yes” and seem “holier than thou.” Maybe we tentatively respond, “I try to be…” Ok… great that you are trying, but in the interim should you be put “outside the camp?” I suspect most will answer “No!”
Remember that underlying all this is the issue St. Paul is addressing our response to sin. Paul is speaking to a community tolerating a blatant, obvious, and serious sin in their midst. In one of the core messages of Corinthians, St. Paul warns that pride can lead to spiritual and moral downfall. In 1 Corinthians 10:12, Paul writes, “Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.,” highlighting the danger of pride.
The Corinthians think they have a great community of faith – in fact last week Paul counseled them on their misplaced pride. Now he is pointing out to them the consequences of pride – their toleration of sin.
But what about the same “toleration” but on a personal level?
Are we holy? That is a different question from are we perfect. Perhaps it is modesty that keeps us from saying “Yes! I am holy… and still working on it!” If, in good, informed conscience you can come to Mass and receive the Eucharist, you are holy. If you know your sins should keep you from receiving the Eucharist until you have confessed (and been brought “inside the camp”), but you are too embarrassed to not go up and receive lest your friends think you’ve committed a mortal sin, but you receive anyway – now you’ve seen pride at work.
Pride is a signpost on the way to being “outside the camp.”
Image credit: Saint Paul Writing His Epistles | attributed to Valentin de Boulogne | Houston Museum