1 Corinthians 5:13
God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Corinthians 5:13
God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The surprising thing here is that God doesn't judge the one being excluded; that's the community's job, to actively remove the "evil person." It's a stark reminder that the church has a responsibility to protect its own purity, not just rely on divine intervention later.
Paul is addressing a serious issue of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church, specifically a man openly living with his stepmother. He's emphasizing that while the church must deal with sin within its own community, God will ultimately judge those outside of it. This passage is part of Paul's instruction on how to maintain the purity and holiness of the gathered believers.
Paul starts this chapter with a shocking scenario – sexual immorality within the church that's so severe, it's not even tolerated by outsiders. But then he shifts focus. What does this tell us about God's ultimate authority?
Paul makes a clear distinction: "God judges those outside." This isn't about the church taking on the role of ultimate judge for everyone else. Instead, it's an acknowledgment that God's sovereignty extends beyond the community of believers.
The Scope of God's Authority
While God handles the world, Paul gives the Corinthian church a very direct command. What does it mean for the church to 'purge the evil person from among you'?
The second part of the verse is a command for the community: "'Purge the evil person from among you.'" This isn't a suggestion; it's a mandate for internal discipline.
Maintaining Purity in the Body
Understand the original words
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.
This verse directly addresses the severe sexual immorality Paul encountered in Corinth. The call to 'purge the evil person' was a radical instruction for church discipline, meant to uphold holiness and demonstrate God's judgment on sin within the community.
c. 48 BC
Paul begins ministry in Corinth
Paul spent about 18 months in Corinth, establishing the church and teaching its members.
c. AD 50-52
Founding of the Corinthian Church
Paul founded the church in Corinth, a bustling Roman port city known for its wealth and immorality.
c. AD 55— this verse
Paul writes 1 Corinthians
Paul writes this letter from Ephesus in response to reports of serious divisions and immoral behavior within the Corinthian church.
c. AD 55
Report of sexual immorality
Paul had heard disturbing reports about a man in the Corinthian church living openly with his stepmother, a practice condemned even by Roman law.
c. AD 55
This passage highlights the Old Testament principle of removing wrongdoing from the community, showing the historical roots of the directive in 1 Corinthians.
Leviticus 19:17It reinforces the idea of addressing sin within the community, emphasizing that love for neighbor includes confronting and correcting harmful behavior.
1 Corinthians 11:32Paul connects judgment within the church to God's discipline, framing it as a corrective measure to prevent further harm and ultimately lead to salvation.
1 Corinthians 6:1-5This passage shows Paul's concern for the church to handle internal disputes and offenses justly, rather than taking them to secular courts, mirroring the theme of internal community judgment.
The surprising thing here is that God doesn't judge the one being excluded; that's the community's job, to actively remove the "evil person." It's a stark reminder that the church has a responsibility to protect its own purity, not just rely on divine intervention later.
Paul is addressing a serious issue of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church, specifically a man openly living with his stepmother. He's emphasizing that while the church must deal with sin within its own community, God will ultimately judge those outside of it. This passage is part of Paul's instruction on how to maintain the purity and holiness of the gathered believers.
Paul is addressing a serious issue of sexual immorality within the Corinthian church, specifically a man openly living with his stepmother. He's emphasizing that while the church must deal with sin within its own community, God will ultimately judge those outside of it. This passage is part of Paul's instruction on how to maintain the purity and holiness of the gathered believers.
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Exhortation to self-examination
Paul urges the Corinthians to examine themselves and test their own faith, questioning if they are truly in Christ.
"God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”" — The surprising thing here is that God doesn't judge the one being excluded; that's the community's job, to actively remove the "evil person." It's a stark reminder that the church has a responsibil…