John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 5:4

"in the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus," — 1 Corinthians 5:4 (ASV)

When you are gathered together and my spirit—that is, when you are gathered together with me, but in spirit, for they could not meet together in terms of bodily presence. He declares, however, that it would be the same as if he were personally present. It is to be carefully observed that Paul, though an Apostle, does not himself, as an individual, excommunicate according to his own pleasure, but consults with the Church, so that the matter may be transacted by common authority.

He, indeed, takes the lead and shows the way, but in taking others as his associates, he makes it quite clear that this authority does not belong to any one individual. However, since a crowd never accomplishes anything with moderation or seriousness unless guided by counsel, a Presbytery—that is, an assembly of elders—was appointed in the ancient Church. By common consent, they had the authority to judge the case first.

From them the matter was brought before the people, but it was as something already judged. Whatever the case, it is entirely contrary to the ordinance of Christ and His Apostles—to the order of the Church, and even to fairness itself—for this right of excommunicating anyone he may choose at his pleasure to be put into the hands of any one man.

Let us then note that in excommunication this limitation must be observed: this part of discipline is to be exercised by the common counsel of the elders and with the consent of the people, and this is a remedy against tyranny. For nothing is more contrary to the discipline of Christ than tyranny, to which you open a wide door if you give one man the entire power.

In the name of our Lord. For it is not enough that we assemble, if it is not in the name of Christ; for even the wicked assemble for impious and nefarious conspiracies. Now for an assembly to be held in Christ’s name, two things are required:

1. first, that we begin by calling on His name;
2. secondly, that nothing is attempted except in conformity with His word.

Only then do people make a favorable start in anything they undertake to do: when they call upon the Lord with their heart, praying to be governed by His Spirit and for their plans, by His grace, to be directed to a successful outcome. Furthermore, this happens when they ask at His mouth, as the Prophet says (Isaiah 30:2)—that is, when, after consulting His oracles, they surrender themselves and all their plans to His will in unreserved obedience.

If this is appropriate even in the smallest of our actions, how much less should it be omitted in important and serious matters, and least of all when we are dealing with God’s business rather than our own? For example, excommunication is an ordinance of God, not of humans; therefore, on any occasion when we are to use it, where should we begin if not with God?

In short, when Paul exhorts the Corinthians to assemble in the name of Christ, he does not simply require them to use Christ’s name or to confess Him with their mouth (for even the wicked can do that). Instead, he requires them to seek Him truly and with the heart; furthermore, by this, he indicates the seriousness and importance of the action.

He adds, with the power of our Lord; for if the promise is true, As often as two or three are gathered together in my name, I am in the midst of them (Matthew 18:20), it follows that whatever is done in such an assembly is a work of Christ.

From this we infer how important excommunication, rightly administered, is in the sight of God, since it rests upon the power of God. For that saying also must be fulfilled: Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven (Matthew 18:18).

However, just as this statement ought to fill scorners with considerable alarm, so too, faithful pastors, as well as the Churches generally, are by this admonished with what a devout spirit they should approach their work in a matter of such importance. For it is certain that the power of Christ is not bound to human inclination or opinions, but is associated with His eternal truth.