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,
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.
- BSB 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.
- 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 though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
- 1 Th 2:17But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
- 2 Cor 13:2I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
- 2 Cor 10:11Let such an one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
- 2 Cor 10:1Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
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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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