1 Corinthians5
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one of you hath his father’s wife.
2And ye are puffed up, and did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you.
3For I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing,
4in the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
5to 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.
6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
7Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ:
8wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators;
10not at all meaning with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world:
11but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat.
12For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within?
13But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Corinthians 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The apostle blames the Corinthians for connivance at an incestuous person; (1–8). and directs their behaviour towards those guilty of scandalous crimes. (9–13).
vv1-8
The apostle notices a flagrant abuse, winked at by the Corinthians. Party spirit, and a false notion of Christian liberty, seem to have saved the offender from censure. Grievous indeed is it that crimes should sometimes be committed by professors of the gospel, of which even heathens would be ashamed. Spiritual pride and false doctrines tend to bring in, and to spread such scandals. How dreadful the effects of sin! The devil reigns where Christ does not. And a man is in his kingdom, and under his power, when not in Christ. The bad example of a man of influence is very mischievous; it spreads far and wide. Corrupt principles and examples, if not corrected, would hurt the whole church. Believers must have new hearts, and lead new lives. Their common conversation and religious deeds must be holy. So far is the sacrifice of Christ our Passover for us, from rendering personal and public holiness unnecessary, that it furnishes powerful reasons and motives for it. Without holiness we can neither live by faith in him, nor join in his ordinances with comfort and profit.
vv9-13
Christians are to avoid familiar converse with all who disgrace the Christian name. Such are only fit companions for their brethren in sin, and to such company they should be left, whenever it is possible to do so. Alas, that there are many called Christians, whose conversation is more dangerous than that of heathens!
Key Words
ὅλως (hólōs): completely, i.e. altogether; (by analogy), everywhere; (negatively) not by any means
ἀκούω (akoúō): to hear (in various senses)
πορνεία (porneía): harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
ὑμῖν (hymîn): to (with or by) you
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὅστις (hóstis): which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same
ὀνομάζω (onomázō): to name, i.e. assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess
οὐδέ (oudé): not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even
ἔθνος (éthnos): a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 5Old Testament law defining and forbidding the incestuous act of having one's father's wife.
Supported by JFB
Paul's later reference to this specific situation, referring to the one who suffered the wrong.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
A parallel apostolic act of delivering blasphemers to Satan for discipline.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The original Passover ordinance requiring the absolute purging of leaven from the house.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Christ's foundational instruction on church discipline and treating the unrepentant as an outsider.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul uses the exact same proverbial phrase: 'a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
The historical sin of Reuben lying with his father's concubine, a notable Old Testament parallel.
Supported by John Calvin
The Mosaic curse pronounced on anyone who lies with his father's wife.
Supported by JFB
Parallel expression of being absent in body but present in spirit with a church.
Supported by JFB
Christ's promise to be present in power where his church is gathered in his name.
Supported by JFB
The corporate punishment inflicted by the majority on this offender, leading to his restoration.
Supported by JFB
The standard Deuteronomic formula for purging evil: 'put away the evil from among you.'
Supported by Matthew Poole
Connects back to the Corinthians' prideful state of being 'puffed up' in Paul's absence.
Supported by Matthew Poole
An Old Testament example of a sinner being subjected to the power of Satan.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Christ directly as the sacrificial Lamb of God, fulfilling the Passover type.
Supported by JFB