I Corinthians 5:12
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What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
what have I to do--You might have easily understood that my concern is not with unbelievers outside the Church, but that I referred to those within it. also--Implying, Those within give me enough to do without those outside. do not ye, &c.--Ye judge your fellow citizens, not strangers: much more should I [BENGEL]. Rather, Is it not your duty to judge them that are within? God shall judge them that are without: do you look at home [GROTIUS]. God is the Judge of the salvation of the heathen, not we (Rom 2:12-16). Paul here gives an anticipatory censure of their going to law with saints before heathen tribunals, instead of judging such causes among themselves within.
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle, I. Blames them for their indulgence in the case of the incestuous person, and orders him to be excommunicated, and delivered to Satan (Co1 5:1-6). II. He exhorts them to Christian purity, by purging out the old leaven (Co1 5:7, Co1 5:8). And, III. Directs them to shun even the common conversation of Christians who were guilty of any notorious and flagitious wickedness (Co1 5:9 to the end).
Open source ↗5:12-13 Christians are not called to judge (i.e., discipline) sin in unbelievers, but in believers.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
He replied, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to those on the outside everything is expressed in parables,
But Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed Me judge or executor between you?”
Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.
Then you will behave properly toward outsiders, without being dependent on anyone.
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world; if it were, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm.”