1 Corinthians 5:13
But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Original Language Analysis
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔξω
them that are without
G1854
ἔξω
them that are without
Strong's:
G1854
Word #:
3 of 13
out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
5 of 13
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καί
Therefore
G2532
καί
Therefore
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πονηρὸν
wicked person
G4190
πονηρὸν
wicked person
Strong's:
G4190
Word #:
10 of 13
hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455
ἐξ
from
G1537
ἐξ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
11 of 13
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
Cross References
Deuteronomy 17:7The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.Deuteronomy 13:5And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.Deuteronomy 21:21And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.Matthew 18:17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.Deuteronomy 22:24Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.Deuteronomy 17:12And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.1 Corinthians 5:5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Historical Context
The phrase 'put away from among yourselves' (LXX: exareis ton poneron) directly quotes the Septuagint's rendering of Deuteronomy's purity laws. Paul applies Israel's covenantal purity standards to the church as the new covenant community. Just as Israel was to be holy as God's people (Lev 19:2), the church maintains holiness through discipline, not to earn salvation but to reflect the holy God who redeemed them.
Questions for Reflection
- How does entrusting final judgment to God free you from bitterness while maintaining standards?
- What unrepentant sin might need to be 'put away' from your church community—and how can this be done redemptively?
- How do you balance the severity of discipline (removal) with the hope of restoration (2 Cor 2:5-11)?
Analysis & Commentary
But them that are without God judgeth—unbelievers are accountable to God alone; final judgment belongs to Him (Rom 2:5, 12:19). The church doesn't pronounce judgment on the world but proclaims the gospel, leaving ultimate judgment to God. This liberates Christians from playing God while maintaining the urgency of evangelism—those outside face God's judgment unless they respond to the gospel. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person—Paul concludes with a direct imperative: exarate (ἐξάρατε, "remove, put away").
The phrase echoes Deuteronomy's repeated command to "purge the evil from your midst" (Deut 13:5; 17:7, 12; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21, 24; 24:7). Poneros (πονηρός, "wicked person") describes the unrepentant immoral man of verse 1. The command is corporate—"you" (plural) must act collectively to remove persistent, unrepentant sin from the community. This isn't vengeance but protection and redemption. Discipline maintains the church's holiness, protects weaker believers from corruption (v. 6), upholds gospel witness, and creates conditions for the sinner's repentance (v. 5). The goal throughout is restoration—severe mercy that hopes for return.