I Corinthians 5:4
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When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, along with the power of the Lord Jesus,
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--By His authority and as representing His person and will (Co2 2:10). Join this with "to deliver such a one unto Satan" (Co1 5:5). The clause, "When ye have been gathered together and my spirit (wherein I am 'present,' though 'absent in body,' Co1 5:3), with the power of our Lord Jesus," stands in a parenthesis between. Paul speaking of himself uses the word "spirit"; of Christ, "power." Christ's power was promised to be present with HIS Church "gathered together in His name" (Mat 18:18-20): and here Paul by inspiration gives a special promise of his apostolic spirit, which in such cases was guided by the Holy Spirit, ratifying their decree passed according to his judgment ("I have judged," Co1 5:3), as though he were present in person (Joh 20:21-23; Co2 13:3-10). This power of infallible judgment was limited to the apostles; for they alone had the power of working miracles as their credentials to attest their infallibility. Their successors, to establish their claim to the latter, must produce the former (Co2 12:2). Even the apostles in ordinary cases, and where not specially and consciously inspired, were fallible (Act 8:13, Act 8:23; Gal 2:11-14).
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 ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”
since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”
and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.