1 Corinthians 5:2
And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πεφυσιωμένοι
puffed up
G5448
πεφυσιωμένοι
puffed up
Strong's:
G5448
Word #:
3 of 18
to inflate, i.e., (figuratively) make proud (haughty)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκ
from
G1537
ἐκ
from
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
11 of 18
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Historical Context
The Corinthian church reflected the city's philosophical culture, which prized rhetoric, wisdom, and tolerance. Greek philosophy often separated spirit from body, leading some to conclude bodily actions had no spiritual significance. Paul's call to mourn contradicted the Stoic ideal of apathy (absence of passion) valued in Greco-Roman culture.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you grieve over sin in your own life and the church, or have you become desensitized?
- How can church discipline be exercised in love, not self-righteousness, with restoration as the goal?
- What pride might prevent you from addressing sin—either fear of seeming intolerant or superior?
Analysis & Commentary
And ye are puffed up (πεφυσιωμένοι ἐστέ)—the Corinthians' problem was pride, not ignorance. Rather than grieving over sin, they were arrogant, perhaps viewing their 'tolerance' as sophisticated spirituality or evidence of freedom in Christ. The verb phusioo ("puffed up") appears six times in 1 Corinthians (4:6, 18, 19; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4), always negatively—contrasted with love that "does not boast" (13:4).
Have not rather mourned (ἐπενθήσατε)—the proper response to sin in the body is grief, not indifference. The verb pentheo denotes deep sorrow, the same word used for mourning the dead. That he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you—the goal of discipline is removal from fellowship (exairo, "take away"), protecting the church's purity while creating conditions for the sinner's repentance. Discipline is an act of love seeking restoration, not vengeance.