1 Corinthians 5 3

1 Corinthians 5:3 kjv

For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

1 Corinthians 5:3 nkjv

For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed.

1 Corinthians 5:3 niv

For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this.

1 Corinthians 5:3 esv

For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.

1 Corinthians 5:3 nlt

Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on this man

1 Corinthians 5 verses

1 Corinthians 5 3 Meaning

In 1 Corinthians 5:3, the Apostle Paul unequivocally declares his decisive judgment on the incestuous man within the Corinthian church. Despite his physical absence from Corinth, he asserts his spiritual presence and apostolic authority to have already reached a definitive verdict on the individual's egregious sin. This verse establishes the legitimacy and binding nature of Paul's disciplinary decision, as if he were physically present to pronounce it, underscoring the severity of the offense and the church's failure to address it.

1 Corinthians 5 3 Context

First Corinthians chapter 5 directly addresses the grievous sin of incest being tolerated within the Corinthian church. The verse 1 Cor 5:1 states that a man "hath his father's wife," which refers to his stepmother, an act expressly forbidden by Old Testament law (Lev 18:8; Deut 27:20). Shockingly, instead of mourning and exercising discipline, the church in Corinth was "puffed up" (1 Cor 5:2), showing an alarming indifference or even pride in their supposed "tolerance" or perhaps a distorted view of Christian freedom. This immediate context highlights the severity of the issue: an unrepentant, public sin undermining the sanctity and witness of the community.

Historically, the early Christian church existed within a Greco-Roman society that had differing views on morality. While certain forms of incest were condemned, the general permissiveness in some circles meant that Christians needed to stand distinctly apart. The Corinthians' tolerance reflected a dangerous assimilation to worldly standards rather than adhering to God's holiness. Paul, as an apostle, exercised his divine mandate to uphold the purity of the church, asserting his authority over their local negligence. This verse also serves as a crucial moment where Paul demonstrates strong apostolic leadership, asserting his right and responsibility to issue binding judgments even from a distance, combating any challenge to his authority that may have been present in the Corinthian congregation.

1 Corinthians 5 3 Word analysis

• For I verily: (Greek: Kai gar egō men - καὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ μέν). "And for I myself." The conjunction "For" connects Paul's judgment to the preceding condemnation of their inaction. "I verily" emphasizes Paul's personal and strong conviction, underscoring his unique apostolic authority in this pronouncement, distinguishing his decision from a mere suggestion or advisory role. It underscores his direct, individual assertion of authority.

• as absent in body: (Greek: apōn tō somati - ἀπὼν τῷ σώματι). Literally "absent in the body." This clearly states Paul's physical distance from the Corinthian community. It highlights that his judgment is not dependent on his physical presence, emphasizing a spiritual or authoritative presence that transcends physical limitations.

• but present in spirit: (Greek: parōn de tō pneumati - παρὼν δὲ τῷ πνεύματι). This is a pivotal phrase. "Present in spirit" likely refers to Paul's own spirit, exercising his apostolic spiritual authority and discernment as though he were physically present and engaged. It signifies his complete spiritual involvement, understanding of the situation, and exercise of a binding judgment. It is a presence of mind, concern, and the spiritual anointing of his apostolic office, making his pronouncement as real and weighty as if he stood among them. Some interpret it as a sense of solidarity in the Holy Spirit with the Corinthian assembly when they would convene for the act of judgment.

• have judged already: (Greek: ēdē kekrika - ἤδη κέκρικα). The use of the perfect tense of the verb "to judge" (kekrika) indicates a completed action with continuing results. Paul's judgment is not tentative or still in process; it is a firm, settled, and decisive verdict already made. This asserts the finality and binding nature of his pronouncement. "Already" reinforces that the decision is done.

• as though I were present: (Greek: hōs parōn - ὡς παρών). This reiterates and strengthens the previous phrase "present in spirit." It underscores that Paul's judgment carries the full weight and immediacy as if he were physically overseeing the process in person. It legitimizes his authority over them despite geographical distance.

• concerning him that hath so done this deed: (Greek: ton touto toutō houthos katergasaneton - τὸν τοῦτο οὕτως κατεργασάμενον). This phrase clearly identifies the target of the judgment: the specific individual involved in the incestuous act mentioned in 1 Cor 5:1. "Hath so done this deed" emphasizes the shocking and clear nature of the offense, leaving no ambiguity about the sin being addressed. It pinpoints the severity of the act itself, demanding action.

1 Corinthians 5 3 Bonus section

The spiritual presence of Paul in 1 Cor 5:3 points to the interconnectedness of believers in Christ through the Holy Spirit, allowing for a shared spiritual reality even across physical distance. This concept implies that a true spiritual leader, empowered by God, can exercise discernment and authority that transcends geographical limitations, impacting the spiritual condition of a remote congregation. It also underscores the weight of apostolic pronouncements, as they are viewed as direct, Spirit-led judgments binding upon the church. Furthermore, this verse sets a precedent for the church's corporate responsibility in addressing sin within its ranks. The Corinthians were to act as if Paul were physically present, emphasizing that the church as a body, not just the apostle, has a mandate to enforce righteous standards for its collective purity and witness to the world.

1 Corinthians 5 3 Commentary

1 Corinthians 5:3 is a forceful assertion of apostolic authority and a condemnation of the Corinthian church's inaction in the face of grave sin. Paul, though physically absent, declares that he has already reached a final and authoritative judgment. This spiritual presence signifies his divine anointing and complete engagement with the moral purity of the church. The use of the perfect tense "have judged already" underscores that his decision is not advisory but a firm decree that the church is obligated to carry out. This divine judicial authority, wielded through Paul, mandated the exclusion of the unrepentant offender. It serves as a sharp rebuke to the Corinthian pride and spiritual apathy, demonstrating that true spiritual freedom does not entail tolerance of manifest wickedness. The verse thus sets the stage for the command in the following verses to excommunicate the individual, highlighting the urgent need for church discipline to safeguard the purity and witness of the body of Christ.