Although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.
Parallel translations
- WEB For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.
- KJV 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,
- NKJV For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed.
- NASB For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present.
- NLT Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on this man
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Though physically absent, Paul has already judged the offender as if present. It matters because clear, unrepentant sin sometimes requires a definite verdict from the church.
Overview
Paul, present 'in spirit' though absent in body, has already reached a judgment on this case. His apostolic authority and concern for the church's purity move him to decisive action rather than indecision. This sets up the formal act of discipline he directs, showing that love does not avoid hard judgments about open, scandalous sin.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Col 2:5For although I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit, and I delight to see your orderly condition and firm faith in Christ.
- 1 Th 2:17Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.
- 2 Cor 13:2I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone,
- 2 Cor 10:11Such people should consider that what we are in our letters when absent, we will be in our actions when present.
- 2 Cor 10:1Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 5:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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