1 Corinthians 5:3

For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.

World English Bible
Learn

Your notes

Private to you. Anything you write on this verse, here or while reading, shows up here and in My study.

Other translations

WEBBE

For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.

BSB

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.

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,

ASV

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,

BBE

For I myself, being present in spirit though not in body, have come to a decision about him who has done this thing;

Original Greek

Look up a word

Tap a word to see what it means and everywhere else it's used.

ἐγὼ egō I myself G1473 μὲν men indeed G3303 γὰρ gar though G1063 ὡς hōs as G5613 ἀπὼν apōn being absent G548 τῷ tō (the) G3588 σώματι sōmati in body G4983 παρὼν parōn being present G3918 δὲ de however G1161 τῷ tō (the) G3588 πνεύματι pneumati in spirit G4151 ἤδη ēdē already G2235 κέκρικα kekrika have judged G2919 ὡς hōs as G5613 παρὼν parōn being present G3918 τὸν ton the [one] G3588 οὕτως houtōs so G3779 τοῦτο touto this G3778 κατεργασάμενον katergasamenon having produced G2716

The early church

"For I verily being absent in body, but present in spirit." Mark his energy. He suffers them not even to wait for his presence, nor to receive him first and then pass the sentence of binding: but as if on the point of expelling some contagion before that it have spread itself into the rest of the body, he hastens to restrain it. And therefore he subjoins the clause, "I have judged already, as though I were present." These things moreover he said, not only to urge them unto the declaration of their sentence and to give them no opportunity of contriving something else, but also to frighten them, as one who knew what was to be done and determined there. For this is the meaning of being "present in spirit:" as Elisha was present with Gehazi, and said, "Went not my heart with thee?" Wonderful! How great is the power of the gift, in that it makes all to be together and as one; and qualifies them to know the things which are far off. "I have judged already as though I were present." He permits them not to have any other device. "Now I have uttered my decision as if I were present: let there be no delays and puttings off: for nothing else must be done."
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–8

The apostle notices a flagrant abuse, winked at by the Corinthians. Party spirit, and a false notion of Christian liberty, seem to have saved the offender from censure. Grievous indeed is it that crimes should sometimes be committed by professors of the gospel, of which even heathens would be ashamed. Spiritual pride and false doctrines tend to bring in, and to spread such scandals. How dreadful the effects of sin! The devil reigns where Christ does not. And a man is in his kingdom, and under his power, when not in Christ. The bad example of a man of influence is very mischievous; it spreads far and wide. Corrupt principles and examples, if not corrected, would hurt the whole church. Believers must have new hearts, and lead new lives. Their common conversation and religious deeds must be holy. So far is the sacrifice of Christ our Passover for us, from rendering personal and public holiness unnecessary, that it furnishes powerful reasons and motives for it. Without holiness we can neither live by faith in him, nor join in his ordinances with comfort and profit.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 5 →

Cross-references

5

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.