1 Corinthians 5:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Though far away in Ephesus, Paul says he has already reached a judgment about the offender as surely as if he stood among them.
What Does 1 Corinthians 5:3 Mean?
Paul writes from a distance, yet he refuses to let physical absence excuse him from his apostolic responsibility. In spirit he is with the Corinthians, and he has already weighed the matter and come to a settled conclusion.
Spiritual oversight is not bound by miles. Paul models a shepherd's care that does not look away from hard cases because they are uncomfortable. His judgment is not personal vengeance but a verdict rendered in the light of Christ, for the good of the church and the soul of the man who has sinned.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 5:3
What does 1 Corinthians 5:3 mean?
Though far away in Ephesus, Paul says he has already reached a judgment about the offender as surely as if he stood among them.