1 Corinthians 5:1
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
Original Language Analysis
Ὅλως
commonly
G3654
Ὅλως
commonly
Strong's:
G3654
Word #:
1 of 20
completely, i.e., altogether; (by analogy), everywhere; (negatively) not by any means
πορνεία
fornication
G4202
πορνεία
fornication
Strong's:
G4202
Word #:
5 of 20
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοιαύτη
such
G5108
τοιαύτη
such
Strong's:
G5108
Word #:
7 of 20
truly this, i.e., of this sort (to denote character or individuality)
πορνεία
fornication
G4202
πορνεία
fornication
Strong's:
G4202
Word #:
8 of 20
harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔθνεσιν
the Gentiles
G1484
ἔθνεσιν
the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
13 of 20
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
ὀνομάζεται,
as named
G3687
ὀνομάζεται,
as named
Strong's:
G3687
Word #:
14 of 20
to name, i.e., assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess
ὥστε
that
G5620
ὥστε
that
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
15 of 20
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Revelation 21:8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.Revelation 2:21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.Colossians 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:Ephesians 5:3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;Leviticus 18:8The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.1 Corinthians 5:11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.Galatians 5:19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,Acts 15:20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.Acts 15:29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.Jeremiah 2:33Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways.
Historical Context
Corinth was a Roman colony rebuilt by Julius Caesar in 44 BC, notorious for sexual immorality associated with Aphrodite's temple. While the extent of temple prostitution is debated, sexual ethics were lax—concubinage, prostitution, and divorce were commonplace. Into this context, Paul planted a church calling believers to radical sexual purity as temples of the Holy Spirit (6:19).
Questions for Reflection
- When does tolerance of sin become complicity? How do you balance grace with the call to holiness?
- What 'reported commonly' sins might exist in your church that require loving confrontation?
- How does understanding your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit shape your view of sexual ethics?
Analysis & Commentary
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you (ἀκούεται πορνεία ἐν ὑμῖν)—the Greek porneia (πορνεία) encompasses all sexual immorality, but here refers to incest. Such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles—even pagan Corinth, notorious for sexual licentiousness, condemned this sin. Roman law explicitly prohibited marriage to one's stepmother (Gaius, Institutes 1.63). The phrase that one should have his father's wife describes a man living with his stepmother, likely after his father's death.
Paul's shock is palpable—sexual immorality existed in the church that pagans rejected. The Corinthians' inflated spirituality (phusioo, "puffed up") had produced moral blindness. Their tolerance wasn't grace but compromise. The case was public knowledge ("reported commonly"), demanding immediate action. This verse introduces the chapter's theme: the church's responsibility to maintain purity through discipline, not to punish but to protect the body and restore the sinner.