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1 Corinthians 5

ScriptureDepth's study of 1 Corinthians 5

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father’s wife.”

1 Corinthians 5:1

Paul reports to the Corinthians about the serious sexual immorality of a man with his father's wife, which prompts a call for judgment and removal from the community.

What 1 Corinthians 5 is about

The issue of immorality among the Corinthians involves a man who has his father’s wife (vv. 1-2). Paul expresses disappointment at their pride rather than mourning for the sin. He states he has already judged the man who committed this act, even from a distance (vv. 3-5). Paul calls for the Corinthians to deliver the man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, with the hope that his spirit may be saved.

Paul warns that a little yeast leavens the whole lump, urging them to purge out the old yeast to be a new lump, since Christ, their Passover, has been sacrificed (vv. 6-8). He clarifies he does not mean to avoid all sexual sinners in the world, but rather those in the church who are called brothers and engage in sin (vv. 9-11). Paul instructs the Corinthians not to associate with such individuals, emphasizing that God judges those outside but they must judge those within (vv. 12-13).

Paul commands the Corinthians to 'put away the wicked man from among yourselves,' highlighting the need for community purity.

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1 Corinthians 5 at a glance

  1. 1 Corinthians 5:1–2Issue of Immorality Addressed
  2. 1 Corinthians 5:3–5Call for Judgment
  3. 1 Corinthians 5:6–8Importance of Purity
  4. 1 Corinthians 5:9–11Clarification on Associations
  5. 1 Corinthians 5:12–13Judgment and Separation

Key verse: 1 Corinthians 5:1

One thing to notice

The term 'brother' appears in verses 11 and 12, referring to church members engaged in sin. Paul distinguishes between those within the church and those outside, noting a need for different responses based on this relationship.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

Read 1 Corinthians 5 (WEB)

Issue of Immorality Addressed 1 Corinthians 5:1–2

Verse 1. It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father’s wife. Verse 2. You are puffed up, and didn’t rather mourn, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you.

Call for Judgment 1 Corinthians 5:3–5

Verse 3. 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. Verse 4. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, Verse 5. are to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Importance of Purity 1 Corinthians 5:6–8

Verse 6. Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole lump? Verse 7. Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place. Verse 8. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Clarification on Associations 1 Corinthians 5:9–11

Verse 9. I wrote to you in my letter to have no company with sexual sinners; Verse 10. yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world. Verse 11. But as it is, I wrote to you not to associate with anyone who is called a brother who is a sexual sinner, or covetous, or an idolater, or a slanderer, or a drunkard, or an extortionist. Don’t even eat with such a person.

Judgment and Separation 1 Corinthians 5:12–13

Verse 12. For what do I have to do with also judging those who are outside? Don’t you judge those who are within? Verse 13. But those who are outside, God judges. “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.”

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in 1 Corinthians 5

church discipline

In this chapter, church discipline is a central concern. In v. 2, Paul expresses that the community should mourn over the sin rather than being 'puffed up' about it. He instructs the church to deliver the person engaged in immorality to Satan for the destruction of the flesh in v. 5, indicating a severe measure aimed at restoration.

holiness

Holiness is addressed through the call for the church to maintain purity. In verses 6-7, Paul warns that 'a little yeast leavens the whole lump,' urging the Corinthians to purge out the old yeast, which signifies sin. This call is connected to Christ's role as the Passover, which sets a standard for the community's conduct.

community purity

Community purity surfaces as Paul instructs the Corinthians to distance themselves from immoral individuals within their fellowship. In verse 11, he clarifies that he means not to associate with someone called a brother who engages in sexual sin or other immoral behaviors. This directive aims to protect the moral integrity of the church body.

moral accountability

Moral accountability is addressed as Paul outlines the responsibility of the church to judge sin among its members. In v. 12, he questions why the church would judge those outside while neglecting those within. He concludes in v. 13 by affirming that 'God judges' those outside, but the church must hold its members accountable for their actions.

Chapter outline

How 1 Corinthians 5 unfolds

  1. 1 Corinthians 5:1–2 Issue of Immorality Addressed

    Paul addresses a case of serious sexual immorality in the Corinthian church, noting that a man is having relations with his father's wife (v. 1). He criticizes the congregation for their arrogance and lack of mourning over the situation (v. 2).

  2. 1 Corinthians 5:3–5 Call for Judgment

    Paul, though absent, declares he has judged the offender, instructing the church to act in the name of Christ and to deliver the man 'to Satan for the destruction of the flesh' (vv. 3-5). This action aims for the man's spiritual salvation.

  3. 1 Corinthians 5:6–8 Importance of Purity

    Paul warns that ‘a little yeast leavens the whole lump’ (v. 6) as he urges the church to remove the sinful person, linking this to their identity in Christ as 'unleavened' (v. 7) after Christ's sacrifice.

  4. 1 Corinthians 5:9–11 Clarification on Associations

    Paul clarifies that his previous instruction to avoid sexual sinners does not apply to the broader world, but specifically to those within the church who are unrepentant in their sin (vv. 9-10). He emphasizes the need to avoid close association with such individuals (v. 11).

  5. 1 Corinthians 5:12–13 Judgment and Separation

    Paul distinguishes between judging those inside the church and those outside, noting that God judges the latter (v. 12). He concludes with a command to 'put away the wicked man from among yourselves' (v. 13).

Key verses

  • 1 Corinthians 5:1Paul reports to the Corinthians about the serious sexual immorality of a man with his father's wife, which prompts a call for judgment and removal from the community.

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Study questions

Questions for studying 1 Corinthians 5

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v1, what specific 'sexual immorality' is reported among the Corinthians?
  2. observeIn v11, what does Paul say about a 'brother' who is a sexual sinner?
  3. interpretWhat does Paul mean by 'a little yeast leavens the whole lump' in v6?
  4. interpretIn v5, what does Paul imply by saying to 'deliver such a one to Satan'?
  5. applyWhen have you seen someone 'puffed up' instead of addressing a serious issue like in v2?

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1 Corinthians 5: frequently asked questions

What is 1 Corinthians 5 about?+
The issue of immorality among the Corinthians involves a man who has his father’s wife (vv. 1-2).
What is the key verse in 1 Corinthians 5?+
1 Corinthians 5:1: “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father’s wife.”
What are the main themes of 1 Corinthians 5?+
The main themes of 1 Corinthians 5 are church discipline, holiness, community purity, moral accountability.

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Study Notes