1 Corinthians 5:2

KJV

And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} ye {G5210} are {G2075} puffed up {G5448}, and {G2532} have {G3996} not {G3780} rather {G3123} mourned {G3996}, that {G2443} he that hath done {G4160} this {G5124} deed {G2041} might be taken away {G1808} from {G1537} among {G3319} you {G5216}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And you stay proud? Shouldn’t you rather have felt some sadness that would have led you to remove from your company the man who has done this thing?

Berean Standard Bible

And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this?

American Standard Version

And ye are puffed up, and did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul sternly rebukes the Corinthian church for their shocking complacency and spiritual arrogance in the face of a severe case of sexual immorality within their fellowship. Rather than exhibiting profound sorrow and taking decisive action to remove the unrepentant offender, the Corinthians had become "puffed up" with a misguided sense of pride or indifference, thereby compromising the purity and witness of the Christian community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [1 Corinthians 5:1](/1_corinthians/5-1 "1 Corinthians 5:1 - A Scandalous Sin"), where Paul directly addresses the scandalous report of a man living in an incestuous relationship with his stepmother, a sin so egregious that it was condemned even by pagan society. Paul's expectation was that such a flagrant violation of moral and spiritual purity would evoke deep grief and prompt immediate, decisive action from the church. Instead, [1 Corinthians 5:2](/1_corinthians/5-2 "1 Corinthians 5:2 - The Corinthian's Arrogance") reveals the Corinthians' astonishing lack of appropriate response, highlighting a profound disconnect between their spiritual state and the gravity of the sin in their midst. The subsequent verses in [1 Corinthians 5](/1_corinthians/5 "1 Corinthians 5 - Dealing with Immorality") lay out Paul's instructions for church discipline, emphasizing the necessity of removing the "leaven" of sin to preserve the integrity of the whole body.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city renowned for its wealth, trade, and unfortunately, its rampant immorality. The city was home to the temple of Aphrodite, where sacred prostitution was practiced, contributing to a notoriously licentious atmosphere. Against this backdrop, the early Christian community in Corinth struggled to maintain distinct moral boundaries. Paul's shock at the church's tolerance of incest was amplified by the fact that even Roman law and Greek societal norms, despite their own moral failings, would have condemned such a relationship. The sin described was not merely a private transgression but a public scandal that brought disrepute upon the name of Christ and the fledgling church. The Corinthians' "puffed up" attitude may have stemmed from a misguided sense of spiritual superiority, perhaps believing their "freedom in Christ" or their spiritual gifts allowed them to tolerate what others would condemn, or simply from a proud indifference to the seriousness of sin.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 5:2](/1_corinthians/5-2 "1 Corinthians 5:2 - The Corinthian's Arrogance") powerfully contributes to several major themes in Paul's letter. Firstly, it underscores the critical importance of **Church Purity and Holiness**, emphasizing that the Christian community, as the body of Christ, must strive to reflect God's holiness and not tolerate unrepentant sin within its fellowship. This theme is further developed with the metaphor of leaven in [1 Corinthians 5:6-7](/1_corinthians/5-6-7 "1 Corinthians 5:6-7 - The Leaven of Malice and Wickedness"). Secondly, the verse highlights the danger of **Spiritual Arrogance and Complacency** versus the necessity of **Godly Sorrow and Humility**. Paul contrasts the Corinthians' "puffed up" state—their spiritual pride or indifference—with the appropriate response of "mourning" over sin, which should characterize a truly repentant and discerning community. This pride is a recurring issue Paul addresses, as seen in [1 Corinthians 4:6](/1_corinthians/4-6 "1 Corinthians 4:6 - Not Puffed Up") and [1 Corinthians 8:1](/1_corinthians/8-1 "1 Corinthians 8:1 - Knowledge Puffs Up"). Finally, the passage implicitly teaches **Corporate Responsibility** for the spiritual health and moral integrity of the church, indicating that the entire community is accountable for its response to sin among its members, not just the individual offender.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **puffed up (Greek, _physióō'_):** From G5448, meaning "to inflate, i.e. (figuratively) make proud (haughty)." Paul uses this term frequently in 1 Corinthians to describe a spiritual arrogance or conceit that often arises from a focus on human wisdom, worldly status, or even spiritual gifts, rather than humble dependence on God. In this context, it denotes a state of proud indifference, self-satisfaction, or misguided tolerance in the face of egregious sin, rather than the expected sorrow or righteous indignation.
* **mourned (Greek, _penthéō'_):** From G3996, meaning "to grieve (the feeling or the act), mourn, (be-)wail." This word signifies a deep, heartfelt sorrow, lamentation, or grief, often associated with profound loss or death. Paul expected the Corinthians to experience a genuine, humble sorrow over the sin that defiled their community and threatened its spiritual health, reflecting a godly sorrow over sin itself and its destructive impact.
* **taken away (Greek, _exaírō'_):** From G1808, meaning "to remove." This verb denotes the act of removing or expelling. In the context of church discipline, it refers to the excommunication or expulsion of an unrepentant individual from the fellowship, not merely as punishment, but with the ultimate aim of leading the individual to repentance and safeguarding the purity of the church community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye are puffed up,"**: Paul begins with a direct accusation, highlighting the Corinthians' shocking and inappropriate spiritual state. Instead of being humbled or grieving over the blatant sin in their midst, they exhibit a proud, arrogant, or indifferent attitude. This "puffed up" state suggests a lack of spiritual discernment and a dangerous self-satisfaction that prevents them from seeing the gravity of the situation.
* **"and have not rather mourned,"**: This clause presents a sharp contrast to their "puffed up" state. Paul asserts that their proper response should have been one of deep sorrow and lamentation. This mourning would signify a recognition of the offense against God, the defilement of the church, and the spiritual danger to the individual involved. Their failure to mourn reveals a profound spiritual insensitivity.
* **"that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you."**: This final clause states the purpose for which they should have mourned and acted: the removal of the unrepentant offender from the fellowship. The phrase "taken away" (exaírō) implies an act of church discipline, an expulsion. This action serves multiple purposes: to protect the church from the corrupting influence of sin, to maintain the church's witness to the world, and ultimately, to bring the sinning individual to repentance through the severity of their isolation.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in [1 Corinthians 5:2](/1_corinthians/5-2 "1 Corinthians 5:2 - The Corinthian's Arrogance") to underscore his rebuke. The most prominent is **Contrast**, as he juxtaposes the Corinthians' actual state ("puffed up") with their expected, appropriate response ("mourned"). This stark contrast highlights their spiritual failure and the perversion of their values. There is also an element of **Irony** in their "puffed up" state; true spiritual maturity and wisdom would lead to humility and sorrow over sin, not pride or indifference. Their pride paradoxically reveals their immaturity. Furthermore, the term "puffed up" itself functions as a **Metaphor**, drawing on the imagery of something being inflated or swollen, suggesting an emptiness or superficiality beneath a facade of self-importance. This metaphor effectively conveys the spiritual hollowness of their pride in the face of such a serious moral breach.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound implications of [1 Corinthians 5:2](/1_corinthians/5-2 "1 Corinthians 5:2 - The Corinthian's Arrogance") extend beyond the immediate context of church discipline, touching upon the very nature of the church as God's holy people and the proper response to sin within the community. It underscores that the health and witness of the church are intrinsically tied to its commitment to purity and its willingness to address sin, not with a spirit of judgment, but with a desire for restoration and the glory of God. The failure to mourn over sin and to act decisively against unrepentant immorality indicates a severe spiritual sickness, potentially leading to the corruption of the entire body, much like leaven spreads through a whole batch of dough. This passage highlights that genuine love for God and for fellow believers necessitates a zealous concern for holiness and a willingness to undertake difficult but necessary spiritual surgery for the good of the individual and the community.

* [2 Corinthians 2:6-8](/2_corinthians/2-6-8 "2 Corinthians 2:6-8 - Forgiveness and Comfort")
* [Galatians 6:1](/galatians/6-1 "Galatians 6:1 - Restoring a Brother")
* [Matthew 18:15-17](/matthew/18-15-17 "Matthew 18:15-17 - Steps of Church Discipline")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 5:2](/1_corinthians/5-2 "1 Corinthians 5:2 - The Corinthian's Arrogance") serves as a powerful and timeless mirror for contemporary churches and individual believers. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and the collective conscience of our communities: do we genuinely mourn over sin, both personal and corporate, or have we become "puffed up" with a subtle pride, indifference, or misguided tolerance? True spiritual maturity is not characterized by a detached or self-righteous judgment, nor by a permissive laxity, but by a humble, brokenhearted sorrow over anything that dishonors God and harms His people. This verse calls us to cultivate a profound sensitivity to sin's destructive power and to embrace the difficult but loving responsibility of maintaining the purity of the church through appropriate, restorative discipline, always rooted in prayer and a desire for repentance. It reminds us that our inaction in the face of sin can be as detrimental as the sin itself, compromising our witness and hindering God's work among us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my church, be "puffed up" or complacent in the face of sin, either personally or corporately?**
* **What does it truly mean to "mourn" over sin, and how can I cultivate a deeper, more godly sorrow for sin in my own life and community?**
* **How does our response to sin within the church reflect our understanding of God's holiness and His love for His people?**
* **What steps can our church take to foster a culture of humility, accountability, and compassionate discipline that honors God and seeks the restoration of individuals?**

### FAQ
**What does "puffed up" mean in this context, and why was it such a problem for the Corinthians?**

Answer: In [1 Corinthians 5:2](/1_corinthians/5-2 "1 Corinthians 5:2 - The Corinthian's Arrogance"), "puffed up" (Greek: _physióō_) means to be inflated with pride, arrogance, or conceit. It describes a spiritual haughtiness or self-satisfaction that Paul frequently condemns in this letter (e.g., [1 Corinthians 4:6](/1_corinthians/4-6 "1 Corinthians 4:6 - Not Puffed Up"), [1 Corinthians 8:1](/1_corinthians/8-1 "1 Corinthians 8:1 - Knowledge Puffs Up")). For the Corinthians, this "puffed up" attitude was a significant problem because it prevented them from responding appropriately to a grave sin within their community (a man living with his stepmother, as detailed in [1 Corinthians 5:1](/1_corinthians/5-1 "1 Corinthians 5:1 - A Scandalous Sin")). Instead of being grieved and taking action, they were indifferent, perhaps even boasting in a misguided sense of "tolerance" or spiritual freedom, or simply too proud to admit there was a serious problem. This pride compromised the church's purity, its witness to the world, and its ability to act in accordance with God's will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Corinthians 5:2](/1_corinthians/5-2 "1 Corinthians 5:2 - The Corinthian's Arrogance"), though a rebuke concerning church discipline, finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Christ. The very reason for the church's call to purity and its need to "take away" unrepentant sin is rooted in the holiness of Christ, who is the head of the church and its spotless Lamb. Just as the Passover lamb was sacrificed to cleanse Israel, Christ, our true Passover Lamb, was sacrificed to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The "mourning" Paul expected from the Corinthians reflects the sorrow of God over sin and the brokenness it causes, a sorrow perfectly embodied in Christ's suffering for humanity's transgressions. Furthermore, the purpose of church discipline, to remove the "leaven" of sin ([1 Corinthians 5:6-7](/1_corinthians/5-6-7 "1 Corinthians 5:6-7 - The Leaven of Malice and Wickedness")), points to Christ's work of sanctification, making His church holy and blameless before God ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Loves the Church")). Ultimately, the removal of the unrepentant individual is not merely punitive but redemptive, aiming for the offender's repentance and restoration, mirroring Christ's persistent call for sinners to turn to Him for forgiveness and new life ([Luke 5:32](/luke/5-32 "Luke 5:32 - Call to Repentance")). The church's purity is a reflection of Christ's own purity, and its discipline, when exercised in love and humility, is a means by which the body of Christ participates in His ongoing work of redemption and holiness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 2:20

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Revelation 2:22

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

2 Corinthians 7:7

And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

2 Corinthians 7:11

For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, [what] clearing of yourselves, yea, [what] indignation, yea, [what] fear, yea, [what] vehement desire, yea, [what] zeal, yea, [what] revenge! In all [things] ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

2 Corinthians 12:21

[And] lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and [that] I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Numbers 25:6

¶ And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who [were] weeping [before] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Ezra 9:2

For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of [those] lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.