1 Corinthians 5 · Verse 3

1 Corinthians 5:3

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,
1 Corinthians 5:3, King James Version

1 Corinthians 5:3 in other translations

BSBAlthough 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.
WEBFor 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.
ASVFor I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing,
YLTfor I indeed, as being absent as to the body, and present as to the spirit, have already judged, as being present, him who so wrought this thing:
DARBYFor I, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged as present,
BBEFor I myself, being present in spirit though not in body, have come to a decision about him who has done this thing;
WebsterFor 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,

What does 1 Corinthians 5:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. as absent--The best manuscripts read, "being absent." present in spirit--(2Ki 5:26; Col 2:5). so done--rather, "perpetrated," as the Greek word here is stronger than that for "done" in 1Co 5:2. "So," that is, so scandalously while called a brother.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. For I verily. But I, whatever it may cost me; however you may esteem my interference; and whatever personal ill-will may be the result towards me, have adjudged this case to be so flagrant as to demand the exercise of discipline; and since the church to whom it belongs have neglected it, I use the authority of an apostle, and of a spiritual father, in directing it to take place. This was not a formal sentence of excommunication; but it was the declared opinion of an apostle that such a sentence should be passed, and an injunction on the church to exercise this act of discipline.

As absent in body. Since I am not personally present with you, I express my opinion in this manner. I am absent in body from you, and cannot, therefore, take those steps in regard to it which I could were I present.

But present in spirit. My heart is with you; my feelings are with you; I have a deep and tender interest in the case; and I judge as if I were personally present. Many suppose that Paul by this refers to a power which was given to the apostles, though at a distance, to discern the real circumstances of a case by the gift of the Spirit. Comp. Col 2:5, 2Kgs 5:26, 6:12. (Whitby, Doddridge, etc.) But the phrase does not demand this interpretation. Paul meant, probably, that though he was absent, yet his mind and attention had been given to this subject; he felt as deeply as though he were present, and would act in the same way. He had, in some way, been fully apprized of all the circumstances of the case, and he felt it to be his duty to express his views on the subject.

Have judged already. Margin, Determined, κεκρικα. I have made up my mind; have decided, and do decide. That is, he had determined what ought to be done in the case. It was a case in which the course which ought to be pursued was plain, and on this point his mind was settled. What that course should be, he states immediately.

As though I were present. As though I had a personal knowledge of the whole affair, and were with you to advise. We may be certain that Paul had the fullest information as to this case; and that the circumstances were well known. Indeed, it was a case about the facts of which there could be no doubt. They were everywhere known, 1Cor 5:1, and there was no need, therefore, to attempt to establish them by formal proof.

(+) "verily" "truly" (1) "judged" "determined"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 Absent in body, but present in spirit - Perhaps St. Paul refers to the gift of the discernment of spirits, which it is very likely the apostles in general possessed on extraordinary occasions. He had already seen this matter so clearly, that he had determined on that sort of punishment which should be inflicted for this crime.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 5:1-8

Chapter Outline The apostle blames the Corinthians for connivance at an incestuous person; (1-8) and directs their behaviour towards those guilty of scandalous crimes. (9-13) Verses 1-8 The apostle notices a flagrant abuse, winked at by the Corinthians. Party spirit, and a false notion of Christian liberty, seem to have saved the offender from censure. Grievous indeed is it that crimes should sometimes be committed…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 →

1 Corinthians 5:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἐγὼegōI myselfG1473
μὲνmenindeedG3303
γὰρgarthoughG1063
ὡςhōsasG5613
ἀπὼνapōnbeing absentG548
τῷtō<the>G3588
σώματιsōmatiin bodyG4983
παρὼνparōnbeing presentG3918
δὲdehoweverG1161
τῷtō<the>G3588
πνεύματιpneumatiin spiritG4151
ἤδηēdēalreadyG2235
κέκρικαkekrikahave judgedG2919
ὡςhōsasG5613
παρὼνparōnbeing presentG3918
τὸνtonthe [one]G3588
οὕτωςhoutōssoG3779
τοῦτοtoutothisG3778
κατεργασάμενονkatergasamenonhaving producedG2716

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 5:3

  • Colossians 2:5

    For 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 Thessalonians 2:17

    But 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 Corinthians 13:2

    I 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 Corinthians 10:11

    Let 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 Corinthians 10:1

    Now 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:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
as absent.
2Co 10:1,11; 13:2; Col 2:5; 1Th 2:17
judged. or, determined.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:3

    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,

  • 1 Corinthians 5:4

    In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Read all of 1 Corinthians 5

1 Corinthians 5:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y ciertamente, como ausente con el cuerpo, mas presente en espíritu, ya como presente he juzgado al que esto así ha cometido:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car pour moi, étant absent de corps, mais présent en esprit, j’ai déjà, comme présent, jugé
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn ich, zwar dem Leibe nach abwesend, aber im Geiste gegenwärtig, habe schon als gegenwärtig geurteilt, den, der dieses also verübt hat,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ego quidem absens corpore, præsens autem spiritu, jam judicavi ut præsens eum, qui sic operatus est,