1 Corinthians 5:13
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 5:13
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 5 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of holiness, obedience, discipleship. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-13: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it provides essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 5:13
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Analysis
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.
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.
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)?
Word Studies
- God: Θεός (Theos) G2316 - God
Cross-References
- Judgment: Deuteronomy 17:12
- Evil: Deuteronomy 13:5, 17:7, 21:21, 22:24
- Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 5:5, Matthew 18:17