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,

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} I {G1473} verily {G3303}, as {G5613} absent {G548} in body {G4983}, but {G1161} present {G3918} in spirit {G4151}, have judged {G2919} already {G2235}, as {G5613} though I were present {G3918}, concerning him that hath {G2716} so {G3779} done {G2716} this deed {G5124},

Complete Jewish Bible

For I myself, even though I am absent physically, am with you spiritually; and I have already judged the man who has done this as if I were present.

Berean Standard Bible

Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.

American Standard Version

For 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,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 5:3, the Apostle Paul emphatically asserts his spiritual authority and decisive judgment over a grievous moral transgression within the Corinthian church. Though physically absent from them, Paul declares his profound spiritual presence and the definitive nature of his ruling concerning the man involved in the scandalous incestuous relationship, thereby setting the imperative for the Corinthian believers to execute the necessary church discipline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within Paul's impassioned rebuke to the Corinthian church, found in [1 Corinthians 5](/1_corinthians/5 "1 Corinthians 5 - Dealing with Immorality"). It immediately follows Paul's expression of astonishment and dismay in [1 Corinthians 5:1-2](/1_corinthians/5-1-2 "1 Corinthians 5:1-2 - Immorality and Arrogance in Corinth") that they have tolerated a man living in an incestuous relationship—a sin so egregious it was unheard of even among pagans—and have even become arrogant rather than sorrowful. Paul's declaration of judgment in [1 Corinthians 5:3](/1_corinthians/5-3 "1 Corinthians 5:3 - Paul's Judgment") serves as the authoritative basis for the specific instructions on church discipline that follow in [1 Corinthians 5:4-5](/1_corinthians/5-4-5 "1 Corinthians 5:4-5 - Paul's Instructions for Discipline"), highlighting the urgency and necessity of dealing with unrepentant sin to maintain the purity and witness of the Christian community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city renowned for its wealth, trade, and unfortunately, its moral laxity. The term "Corinthianize" was synonymous with sexual immorality. While Roman law prohibited certain forms of incest, the specific act of a man living with his stepmother (his father's wife) after his father's death was considered particularly scandalous, even by pagan standards. The Corinthian church, composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts, was struggling to shed its pagan influences and adopt Christian ethical standards. Paul's strong condemnation and immediate judgment underscore the stark contrast between the prevailing Corinthian culture and the high moral standards expected of believers, emphasizing that the church must not conform to the world's depravity but rather embody God's holiness.
* **Key Themes:** Paul's declaration in this verse contributes significantly to several major themes in [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians "1 Corinthians - Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians"). Foremost is **Apostolic Authority**, as Paul asserts his God-given right to make definitive judgments for the churches he founded, even from a distance, demonstrating a spiritual connection and discernment that transcends physical presence. This is akin to his spiritual oversight mentioned in [Colossians 2:5](/colossians/2-5 "Colossians 2:5 - Paul's Joy in the Colossians' Faith"). Closely related is the theme of **Church Discipline**, as Paul initiates the process by which the church must act against persistent, unrepentant sin to preserve its integrity. This judgment is not merely a personal opinion but a divine directive for the congregation to implement, highlighting the church's responsibility to uphold **Holiness and Purity**. Finally, Paul's claim to be "present in spirit" points to the theme of **Spiritual Discernment**, suggesting a profound spiritual perception of the situation and a clear understanding of God's will regarding it, allowing him to judge "as though I were present."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **judged (Greek, _krínō'_):** (G2919) This verb signifies "to distinguish, i.e., decide (mentally or judicially); by implication, to try, condemn, punish." Paul's use of the perfect tense ("have judged already") indicates a completed action with ongoing results. His judgment is not a tentative or future consideration but a settled, definitive decision that stands as a binding verdict, requiring immediate and decisive action from the Corinthian church. It carries the weight of a judicial decree.
* **spirit (Greek, _pneûma'_):** (G4151) Referring to "a current of air, i.e., breath; figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc." When Paul says he is "present in spirit," he is not suggesting a mystical out-of-body experience but rather a profound spiritual empathy, discernment, and authoritative connection to the church. It implies a spiritual perception and understanding of the situation, guided by the Holy Spirit, enabling him to exercise his apostolic authority as if he were physically present.
* **already (Greek, _ḗdē'_):** (G2235) This adverb means "even now, by this time." Its inclusion emphasizes the immediacy and finality of Paul's judgment. It underscores that the decision has been made, the verdict rendered, and there is no need for further deliberation on his part. This "already" serves to prod the Corinthians to swift action, as the matter is settled in Paul's mind and in God's sight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit":** Paul establishes the paradoxical nature of his involvement. Though physically distant from Corinth, he asserts a profound spiritual connection and presence. This "presence in spirit" is not merely empathy but a spiritual discernment and authoritative engagement with the church's situation, implying that his spiritual authority transcends geographical limitations. The phrase highlights his deep concern and active participation in the spiritual well-being of the Corinthians, even from afar.
* **"have judged already, as though I were present":** This clause reveals the decisive and complete nature of Paul's verdict. The perfect tense of "have judged" (Greek: _kekrika_) signifies a settled, irrevocable decision. Paul has not merely formed an opinion; he has rendered a definitive judgment, just as he would have done if he were physically standing among them. This underscores the gravity of the situation and the unassailable authority behind his pronouncement.
* **"concerning him that hath so done this deed":** Paul clearly identifies the subject of his judgment: the man who has committed the specific, egregious act of immorality detailed in [1 Corinthians 5:1](/1_corinthians/5-1 "1 Corinthians 5:1 - The Incestuous Man"). The phrase "so done this deed" refers to the incestuous relationship, emphasizing the shocking and unacceptable nature of the sin. Paul's judgment is precise and directed at the specific individual and his unrepentant behavior.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices in this verse to convey the weight of his message. The primary device is **Contrast**, seen in the antithetical pairing of "absent in body" versus "present in spirit." This highlights the spiritual reality of Paul's apostolic connection to the church, asserting that his authority and discernment are not bound by physical proximity. There is also a strong element of **Apostolic Assertion**, where Paul unequivocally declares his judgment, using the first-person pronoun "I verily" to emphasize his personal, authoritative involvement. This assertion functions almost as a **Legal Pronouncement**, setting a precedent for the church's subsequent actions and underscoring the divine backing of his verdict.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates the spiritual reality of the church as a unified body under apostolic authority, even across physical distances. Paul's "presence in spirit" signifies not only his deep pastoral care but also the spiritual discernment granted to apostles for the health and purity of the church. It underscores the profound truth that sin within the community affects the entire body, necessitating decisive action. The theological implication is that the church, as God's redeemed people, is called to reflect His holiness, and therefore, cannot tolerate unrepentant sin in its midst. Paul's judgment serves as a divine mandate for the local assembly to act, demonstrating that church discipline is a necessary, God-ordained function for maintaining the integrity of the Christian witness and for the restoration of the erring individual.

* [1 Corinthians 5:1](/1_corinthians/5-1 "1 Corinthians 5:1 - The Immorality in Corinth")
* [Matthew 18:17](/matthew/18-17 "Matthew 18:17 - Church Discipline")
* [2 Corinthians 13:2-3](/2_corinthians/13-2-3 "2 Corinthians 13:2-3 - Paul's Warning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 5:3](/1_corinthians/5-3 "1 Corinthians 5:3 - Paul's Judgment") challenges contemporary believers and church leaders to grapple with the serious responsibility of addressing unrepentant sin within the Christian community. It reminds us that true spiritual leadership involves not only teaching and nurturing but also making difficult, biblically-grounded judgments when necessary for the health, integrity, and witness of the body of Christ. While physical presence is often ideal, this verse illustrates that spiritual unity and discernment can transcend distance, enabling leaders to act decisively on behalf of biblical truth and holiness. It calls the church to maintain a high standard of conduct, reflecting God's character to the world, and to understand that tolerating egregious sin compromises its identity and mission. Our commitment to holiness must be visible, both individually and corporately, for the glory of God and the good of the community.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's "presence in spirit" inform our understanding of spiritual leadership and discernment in the church today?**
* **What is the role of the local church in upholding biblical standards of holiness, and how does it balance grace with discipline?**
* **In what ways might our own "tolerance" of sin within the church hinder its witness to the world?**
* **How can we cultivate a spiritual sensitivity to sin within the church, similar to Paul's, that moves us to appropriate action?**

### FAQ
**How could Paul be "present in spirit" when he was physically absent from Corinth?**

Answer: Paul's declaration of being "present in spirit" (G3918 _páreimi_ in G4151 _pneûma_) does not imply an out-of-body experience or mystical omnipresence. Rather, it signifies a profound spiritual connection, authoritative discernment, and pastoral engagement with the Corinthian church's situation. As an apostle, Paul possessed a unique spiritual authority and insight, guided by the Holy Spirit, which allowed him to perceive and judge the matter as if he were physically there. It emphasizes the reality of the spiritual bond within the body of Christ and Paul's God-given role as an overseer, whose authority and judgment were valid regardless of physical distance. His spiritual presence meant his mind, will, and apostolic authority were fully engaged with the issue, enabling him to render a definitive verdict.

**What does "have judged already" imply for the Corinthian church's responsibility?**

Answer: The phrase "have judged already" (Greek: _kekrika_, perfect tense of G2919 _krínō_) signifies that Paul's decision was definitive, completed, and stood as a settled verdict. This implies that the Corinthian church was not being asked to deliberate on the *validity* of the judgment, but rather to *implement* it. Paul had made the authoritative decision, and their responsibility was to carry out the necessary disciplinary action. This highlights the hierarchical nature of apostolic authority in the early church and the expectation that local congregations would submit to such divinely-inspired directives for the sake of purity and order within the body of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Corinthians 5:3](/1_corinthians/5-3 "1 Corinthians 5:3 - Paul's Judgment") finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Paul's apostolic authority to judge, even from a distance, flows directly from Christ, who is the supreme Head of the Church ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ as Head of the Church")) and the ultimate Judge of all humanity ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - Christ as Judge")). The call for the Corinthian church to purge the immoral person from their midst reflects Christ's own desire for His bride, the Church, to be "holy and blameless" ([Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). Just as Paul's spiritual presence enabled him to discern and judge, Christ is truly present with His church by His Spirit ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission")) and continually works to purify it. The discipline Paul commands, though severe, is ultimately for the restoration of the individual and the preservation of the church's witness, mirroring Christ's redemptive purpose to save sinners and conform them to His image ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to Christ's Image")). Thus, Paul's judgment in this verse is a temporal manifestation of Christ's ongoing work of sanctification and governance over His people, ensuring that His body remains a pure reflection of His glory.

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

Colossians 2:5

For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:17

¶ But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

2 Corinthians 13:2

I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:

2 Corinthians 10:11

Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such [will we be] also in deed when we are present.

2 Corinthians 10:1

¶ Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence [am] base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: