TRV
- English
- King James KJV
- Complete Jewish CJB
- World English WEBM
- Berean Standard BSB
- American Standard ASV
- Geneva GNV
- Young's Literal YLT
- Douay-Rheims DRC
- International
- Shqip ALB
- العربية SVD
- বাংলা BN-IRV
- မြန်မာ Judson
- 简体文 CUV-S
- 繁體中文 CUV-T
- Čeština BKR
- Nederlands STVE
- Français LSG
- Deutsch SCH
- Ελληνικά Vamvas
- ગુજરાતી GU-IRV
- Hausa HCB
- עברית Hebrew
- हिन्दी HCV
- Magyar KAROLI
- Bahasa Indonesia INDO-TB
- Italiano Diodati
- 日本語 Kougo
- 한국어 Korean
- മലയാളം MAL
- मराठी MRCV
- Norsk DNB
- فارسی OPV
- Polski BG
- Português Almeida
- Română Cornilescu
- Русский Synodal
- Español RVG
- Kiswahili Neno
- Svenska SV1917
- Tagalog TAG-ADB
- தமிழ் TCV
- తెలుగు TSA
- ภาษาไทย THAI-KJV
- Українська Ohienko
- Tiếng Việt CADMAN
- Yorùbá YCB
See on the biblical-era map
Study this verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Corinthians 5:9–13.
Here the apostle advises them to shun the company and converse of scandalous professors. Consider,
I.The advice itself:
I wrote to you in a letter not to company with fornicators, Co1 5:9. Some think this was an epistle written to them before, which is lost. Yet we have lost nothing by it, the Christian revelation being entire in those books of scripture which have come down to us, which are all that were intended by God for the general use of Christians, or he could and would in his providence have preserved more of the writings of inspired men. Some think it is to be understood of this very epistle, that he had written this advice before he had full information of their whole case, but thought it needful now to be more particular. And therefore on this occasion he tells them that if any man called a brother, any one professing Christianity, and being a member of a Christian church, were a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, that they should not keep company with him, nor so much as eat with such a one. They were to avoid all familiarity with him; they were to have no commerce with him; they were to have no commerce with him: but, that they might shame him, and bring him to repentance, must disclaim and shun him. Note, Christians are to avoid the familiar conversation of fellow-christians that are notoriously wicked, and under just censure for their flagitious practices. Such disgrace the Christian name. They may call themselves brethren in Christ, but they are not Christian brethren. They are only fit companions for the brethren in iniquity; and to such company they should be left, till they mend their ways and doings.
II.How he limits this advice.
He does not forbid the Christians the like commerce with scandalously wicked heathens. He does not forbid their eating nor conversing with the fornicators of this world, etc. They know no better. They profess no better. The gods they serve, and the worship they render to many of them, countenance such wickedness. "You must needs go out of the world if you will have no conversation with such men. Your Gentile neighbours are generally vicious and profane; and it is impossible, as long as you are in the world, and have any worldly business to do, but you must fall into their company. This cannot be wholly avoided." Note, Christians may and ought to testify more respect to loose worldlings than to loose Christians. This seems a paradox. Why should we shun the company of a profane or loose Christian, rather than that of a profane or loose heathen?
III.The reason of this limitation is here assigned.
It is impossible the one should be avoided. Christians must have gone out of the world to avoid the company of loose heathens. But this was impossible, as long as they had business in the world. While they are minding their duty, and doing their proper business, God can and will preserve them from contagion. Besides, they carry an antidote against the infection of their bad example, and are naturally upon their guard. They are apt to have a horror at their wicked practices. But the dread of sin wears off by familiar converse with wicked Christians. Our own safety and preservation are a reason of this difference. But, besides, heathens were such as Christians had nothing to do to judge and censure, and avoid upon a censure passed; for they are without (Co1 5:12), and must be left to God's judgment, Co1 5:13. But, as to members of the church, they are within, are professedly bound by the laws and rules of Christianity, and not only liable to the judgment of God, but to the censures of those who are set over them, and the fellow-members of the same body, when they transgress those rules. Every Christian is bound to judge them unfit for communion and familiar converse. They are to be punished, by having this mark of disgrace put upon them, that they may be shamed, and, if possible, reclaimed thereby: and the more because the sins of such much more dishonour God than the sins of the openly wicked and profane can do. The church therefore is obliged to clear herself from all confederacy with them, or connivance at them, and to bear testimony against their wicked practices. Note, Though the church has nothing to do with those without, it must endeavour to keep clear of the guilt and reproach of those within.
IV.How he applies the argument to the case before him:
"Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person, Co1 5:13. Cast him out of your fellowship, and avoid his conversation."
Historical interpretation
Two Centuries of Reception
4 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
Dogs, sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, out!" -of course, such as do not act according to the precepts; for to be sent out is the portion of those who have been within. Moreover "What have I to do to judge them who are without? " had preceded (the sentences now in question).
Whence the apostle withal judges, and that in a case of fornication, that "such a man must be surrendered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh; " chiding them likewise because "brethren" were not "judged at the bar of the saints: " for he goes on and says, "To what (purpose is it) for me to judge those who are without? ""But you remit, in order that remission may be granted you by God.
A bishop cannot do anything about unbelievers. But a brother who is caught doing such things he can bar not only from the sacraments but also from common intercourse with his fellows, so that when he is avoided he may feel ashamed and repent.
Next he adds also the reason why he forbids them not to mix with heathens of that character, implying that it is not only impossible, but also superfluous.
"For what have I to do with judging them that are without?" Calling the Christians and the Greeks, "those within" and "those without," as also he says elsewhere, "He must also have a good report of them that are without." And in the Epistle to the Thessalonians he speaks the same language, saying, "Have no intercourse with him to the end that he may be put to shame." And, "Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." Here, however, he does not add the reason. Why? Because in the other case he wished to soothe them, but in this, not so. For the fault in this case and in that was not the same, but in the Thessalonians it was less. For there he is reproving indolence; but here fornication and other most grievous sins. And if any one wished to go over to the Greeks, he hinders not him from eating with such persons; this too for the same reason. So also do we act; for our children and our brethren we leave nothing undone, but of strangers we do not make much account. How then? Did not Paul care for them that were without as well? Yes, he cared for them; but it was not till after they received the Gospel and he had made them subject to the doctrine of Christ, that he laid down laws for them. But so long as they despised, it was superfluous to speak the precepts of Christ to those who knew not Christ Himself.
"Do not ye judge them that are within, whereas them that are without, God judgeth?" For since he had said, "What have I to do with judging those without;" lest any one should think that these were left unpunished, there is another tribunal which he sets over them, and that a fearful one. And this he said, both to terrify those, and to console these; intimating also that this punishment which is for a season snatches them away from that which is undying and perpetual.
Continue studying 1 Corinthians 5:12 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
In 1 Corinthians 5:12, the Apostle Paul sharply clarifies the boundaries of the Corinthian church's authority and responsibility concerning moral judgment. Amidst their failure to address a severe case of sexual immorality within their community, Paul asserts that the church's mandate for discipline and discernment applies exclusively to those who identify as believers and are "within" the fellowship, while the judgment of those "without" the church, or unbelievers, is reserved solely for God. This verse serves as a foundational principle for understanding the distinct spheres of the church's internal purity and its external evangelistic mission.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated within Paul's impassioned and authoritative rebuke to the Corinthian church regarding their scandalous tolerance of a man living in open incestuous sin with his stepmother, a sin "not so much as named among the Gentiles" 1 Corinthians 5:1. Paul expresses astonishment and grief that the church, instead of mourning and exercising discipline, had become arrogant. He had already commanded them to "deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" 1 Corinthians 5:5. The immediate verses leading up to 1 Corinthians 5:12 involve Paul's prior instruction (perhaps in a lost letter) not to associate with sexually immoral people, which the Corinthians had evidently misinterpreted as applying to the world at large. Paul clarifies this misunderstanding, stating that his instruction was specifically for those who claim to be brothers or sisters yet live in unrepentant sin, culminating in the explicit command in 1 Corinthians 5:13 to "put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
Historical & Cultural Context
First-century Corinth was a major Roman port city, renowned for its wealth, diverse population, and notorious immorality, particularly associated with the temple of Aphrodite. The city's pervasive pagan culture and lax moral standards likely influenced the Corinthian believers, leading to their complacency regarding the sin within their midst. Paul's letters to Corinth often address the challenges of maintaining Christian distinctiveness and holiness in such an environment. The concept of "judgment" (κρίνω, krínō) in the Greco-Roman world could encompass legal proceedings, moral assessment, or discerning between right and wrong. Paul's teaching here distinguishes the church's internal spiritual jurisdiction from the broader societal judgment, which was typically handled by civil authorities or divine intervention. The sharp distinction between "those without" (unbelievers) and "those within" (believers) reflects the early church's developing identity as a distinct community, set apart from the surrounding pagan world.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes in 1 Corinthians and the broader New Testament. It underscores the critical importance of church discipline as a means of maintaining the purity, holiness, and witness of the body of Christ. Paul's insistence on internal accountability highlights that the church is not merely a social club but a community called to reflect God's character. Furthermore, it clarifies the boundaries of Christian judgment, emphasizing that believers' primary responsibility for moral discernment and correction lies within their own fellowship, not over the unredeemed world. This theme is echoed in Jesus' teaching on dealing with sin within the community in Matthew 18:15-17. Finally, the verse implicitly points to God's ultimate sovereignty in judgment, asserting that the final verdict on those outside the church belongs to Him alone, aligning with the principle that God "will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ" Romans 2:16.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb, G2919, means "to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish." In this context, Paul uses it to refer to the act of discerning, evaluating, and issuing a verdict on moral conduct, particularly in the context of church discipline. It implies the authority to assess sin and determine appropriate action, including exclusion from the community.
This adverb, G1854, means "out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively." Here, it is used figuratively to denote those who are outside the Christian community, i.e., unbelievers or those who do not profess faith in Christ. Paul uses this term to clearly demarcate the sphere of the church's internal jurisdiction from the broader world.
This word, G2080, means "inside (as preposition or adjective)." It stands in direct antithesis to "without" and refers to those who are inside the Christian community, i.e., believers who are part of the church fellowship. This distinction is crucial for Paul's argument about the proper scope of the church's disciplinary authority.
Verse Breakdown
"For what have I to do to judge them also that are without?"
Paul begins with a rhetorical question, emphasizing his lack of jurisdiction over those outside the church. The phrase "what have I to do" (literally, "what to me") conveys a sense of irrelevance or lack of responsibility. He is stating that it is not his, nor the church's, role or concern to pass judgment on the moral conduct of unbelievers. Their accountability is to God, not to the Christian community. This clarifies that his previous instruction about avoiding immoral people was not a call for Christians to become moral police of the world.
"do not ye judge them that are within?"
This second rhetorical question serves as a strong assertion and a command. Paul implies that the Corinthians do have a clear responsibility and indeed an obligation to judge—to discern and address—the moral conduct of those who are "within" the church, meaning fellow believers. This question highlights their dereliction of duty in the case of the incestuous man and underscores the necessity of internal accountability for the sake of the church's purity and witness. The contrast between "without" and "within" is central to Paul's argument about the proper scope of church authority.
Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in this concise verse to convey his urgent message. The most prominent is Rhetorical Question, used twice. "For what have I to do to judge them also that are without?" and "do not ye judge them that are within?" are not requests for information but emphatic statements designed to provoke thought and underscore Paul's point. They serve to guide the Corinthians to the correct conclusion about their responsibilities. Secondly, Antithesis is powerfully utilized through the stark contrast between "them that are without" (ἔξω, éxō) and "them that are within" (ἔσω, ésō). This direct opposition clearly delineates the two distinct spheres of judgment, highlighting the church's internal mandate versus its non-existent external one. Finally, there is an implied Metaphor of the church as a distinct household or community with its own internal rules and governance, separate from the "outside" world. This metaphorical boundary reinforces the idea of the church as a unique, holy body set apart for God.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The theological implications of 1 Corinthians 5:12 are profound, establishing a crucial distinction between the church's internal responsibility for holiness and its external mission of evangelism. Paul's teaching here emphasizes that while believers are called to be salt and light in the world, influencing it through their witness and good works, their direct moral jurisdiction and disciplinary authority are confined to the community of faith. This principle safeguards the church from becoming a self-righteous condemning force against unbelievers, allowing it instead to focus on its primary call to internal purity and external proclamation of the Gospel. It underscores the truth that God alone is the ultimate judge of all humanity, whether inside or outside the covenant community, and that His judgment will be perfectly just and righteous.
Reflection and Application
1 Corinthians 5:12 provides timeless wisdom for believers and the church today, calling us to a careful balance of discernment, love, and mission. It challenges us to prioritize the spiritual health and moral integrity of our own Christian communities, recognizing that genuine holiness within is foundational to effective witness without. This means fostering an environment where accountability is practiced with grace and truth, where sin among believers is addressed not with condemnation but with a view towards repentance and restoration. Simultaneously, the verse warns against adopting a judgmental or condemning posture toward those outside the faith. Our posture towards unbelievers should be one of compassion, evangelism, and demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel, rather than attempting to enforce Christian morality on those who do not acknowledge Christ's lordship. This distinction frees us to love the world as God does, while diligently striving for purity within the household of faith.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse mean Christians should never have an opinion on the morality of society or engage in social issues?
Not at all. Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 5:12 is about the sphere of the church's disciplinary authority, not about Christians abstaining from moral discernment or public engagement. Believers are called to be "salt and light" Matthew 5:13-16 in the world, which implies influencing society with biblical values and speaking truth to power. However, this influence comes through witness, proclamation, and living out Christian ethics, not through imposing church discipline on non-believers or condemning them for not adhering to standards they do not acknowledge. Our role is to lovingly present the Gospel, inviting people to repentance and faith, while reserving the ultimate judgment of those outside the church to God.
What is "church discipline" and why is it necessary according to this verse?
Church discipline, as implied by Paul's command to "judge them that are within," refers to the process by which the Christian community addresses unrepentant sin among its members. It's a loving, though often painful, process intended to restore the erring believer, protect the purity and witness of the church, and honor God's holiness. It typically involves a series of steps, from private confrontation to public admonition and, in severe cases of unrepentance, excommunication (as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:5 and Matthew 18:15-17). It's necessary because the church is the body of Christ, called to reflect His character, and unaddressed sin compromises its integrity and witness.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
1 Corinthians 5:12, while addressing practical church discipline, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is both the perfect Judge and the ultimate Lamb of God. Christ Himself is the standard of holiness by which "those within" are called to live, and His redemptive work is the very basis for the church's existence and its distinct identity. Jesus, in His earthly ministry, demonstrated compassion for sinners while simultaneously calling for repentance and holiness, embodying the very balance Paul advocates. He is the one to whom "all judgment has been committed" John 5:22, meaning that the final, righteous judgment of "those without" ultimately rests with Him. The church, as Christ's body 1 Corinthians 12:27, is entrusted with the stewardship of His holiness within its own ranks, not as a means of earning salvation, but as a reflection of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, the goal of church discipline, as seen in 1 Corinthians 5:5, is the restoration of the individual, mirroring Christ's own redemptive mission to seek and save the lost Luke 19:10. Thus, the church's internal judgment is a Christ-like act of love, aimed at preserving the purity of His bride and ultimately pointing both "those within" and "those without" to the saving grace found in Him.