1 Corinthians 5:12-13
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This verse isn't about judging non-believers, but about the church's responsibility to hold its own members accountable. Paul is challenging the Corinthian church to look inward first, emphasizing that their primary focus for discipline should be within the community of believers, not the world outside.
For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing a serious case of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church that they haven't dealt with. He's just rebuked them for tolerating such sin, emphasizing that they shouldn't associate even with immoral people outside the church, let alone within it. Now, he's clarifying their responsibility: their focus for church discipline should be on fellow believers, not people outside the faith.
We're called to live differently in the world, but what does that mean for how we handle sin within our own community?
Paul is drawing a clear line in the sand. He's saying that the church has a specific mandate when it comes to addressing sin among its own members.
A Different Standard
When believers sin against one another, it impacts the body of Christ. It’s a betrayal of the covenant community and the shared life in the Spirit. Therefore, the church is responsible for exercising discipline. This isn't about being harsh or unloving, but about upholding the purity and integrity of the community that belongs to God.
The World's Standard
Paul contrasts this with outsiders. He's not saying we ignore sin in the world. Rather, the church's primary responsibility isn't to condemn or police the actions of those who aren't part of the covenant community. God will judge them. Our focus is inward, on maintaining the health and holiness of the flock.
Does God give the church authority to 'judge'? What does that even look like in practice?
The 'judging' Paul refers to isn't about condemning people to hell or gossiping about their lives. It's about discerning right from wrong according to God's Word and applying the church's God-given authority to maintain holiness.
Discernment, Not Condemnation
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Think of it like a parent guiding their child. A parent 'judges' a child's behavior by discerning what's acceptable and what's not, and then taking appropriate action for the child's well-being and the family's harmony. Similarly, the church is called to discern when behavior is contrary to Christ and to act in ways that protect the community and restore the erring brother (if possible).
God's Ultimate Authority
Paul is quick to remind us that ultimate judgment belongs to God. We are acting as His representatives, entrusted with a sacred responsibility within His household. Our aim is to bring about repentance and restoration, not simply to punish.
Understand the original words
krinō · Greek Verb
The act of evaluating behavior, discerning right from wrong, or passing a formal sentence. In the church, it refers to the exercise of spiritual discipline to maintain the purity and holiness of the community.
exō · Greek Adverb/Noun
Those who are not part of the Christian community of faith. Scripture acknowledges a distinct separation between those who follow Christ and the world, with God remaining the ultimate judge of those who do not believe.
exairō · Greek Verb
The act of removing a person from the fellowship of the church. This is intended for the purpose of maintaining the holiness of the body and, ideally, bringing the individual to repentance.
ponēros · Greek Adjective
Refers to a person characterized by wickedness or moral depravity. In a communal context, it identifies someone whose persistent unrepentant sin threatens the spiritual integrity of the church.
Paul distinguishes between the church's responsibility to discipline its own members and the inability to judge those outside the faith, emphasizing the unique, community-focused nature of Christian accountability.
c. AD 30-33
Pentecost and Founding of the Church
The Holy Spirit empowers the apostles, leading to the birth of the Christian church in Jerusalem. Believers begin forming distinct communities.
c. AD 40-50
Expansion to Gentiles
The gospel spreads beyond Jewish communities, notably through the conversion of Cornelius and the ministry of Paul. Debates arise about Gentile inclusion and adherence to Mosaic Law.
c. AD 49
Council of Jerusalem
A pivotal council addresses the issue of Gentile believers and the Law, affirming that salvation comes through grace, not circumcision or strict adherence to Jewish law.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
Paul establishes a church in the bustling, cosmopolitan Roman city of Corinth. He spends significant time there, encountering various cultural and religious influences.
c. AD 53-57— this verse
Writing of 1 Corinthians
While in Ephesus, Paul writes his first letter to the church in Corinth to address divisions, doctrinal issues, and behavioral problems that have arisen within the community.
c. AD 55
Internal Church Discipline Issues
The Corinthian church struggles with how to handle a member living in serious sin, leading Paul to provide guidance on church discipline and the distinction between judging insiders and outsiders.
This passage directly follows, detailing the Apostle Paul's frustration with believers suing each other in secular courts, reinforcing the idea that the church has a unique internal system for dealing with disputes, not outsiders.
Matthew 18:15-20Jesus outlines a specific process for addressing sin within the community, emphasizing that the church has the authority and responsibility to deal with matters internally before seeking outside judgment.
Romans 13:1-7This passage speaks to believers' responsibilities towards governing authorities, acknowledging their God-ordained role in judging wrongdoing, which implies that the church's internal discipline is distinct from the state's authority.
1 Timothy 5:19-20Paul instructs Timothy not to entertain an accusation against an elder unless it's confirmed by two or three witnesses, showing that there's a specific, internally focused process for judging those within the church leadership.
This verse isn't about judging non-believers, but about the church's responsibility to hold its own members accountable. Paul is challenging the Corinthian church to look inward first, emphasizing that their primary focus for discipline should be within the community of believers, not the world outside.
Paul is addressing a serious case of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church that they haven't dealt with. He's just rebuked them for tolerating such sin, emphasizing that they shouldn't associate even with immoral people outside the church, let alone within it. Now, he's clarifying their responsibility: their focus for church discipline should be on fellow believers, not people outside the faith.
Paul is addressing a serious case of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church that they haven't dealt with. He's just rebuked them for tolerating such sin, emphasizing that they shouldn't associate even with immoral people outside the church, let alone within it. Now, he's clarifying their responsibility: their focus for church discipline should be on fellow believers, not people outside the faith.
"For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”" — This verse isn't about judging non-believers, but about the church's responsibility to hold its own members accountable. Paul is challenging the Corinthian church to look inward first, emphasizing th…
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Last reviewed October 2026
