This chapter is entirely occupied with a notice of an offence which existed in the church at Corinth and with a statement of the measures which the apostle expected them to pursue in regard to it. Of the existence of this offence he had been informed, probably by “those of the house of Chloe,” 1 Cor... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS REPORTED - Greek It is heard. There is a rumor. That rumor had been brought to Paul, probably by the members of the family of Chloe, 1 Corinthians 1:11. COMMONLY - Ὅλως Holōs. Everywhere. It is a matter of common fame. It is so public that it cannot be concealed; and so certain that it can... [ Continue Reading ]
AND YE ARE PUFFED UP - See the note at 1 Corinthians 4:18. You are filled with pride, and with a vain conceit of your own wisdom and purity, notwithstanding the existence of this enormous wickedness in your church. This does not mean that they were puffed up, or proud on account of the existence of... [ Continue Reading ]
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 toward 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 a... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE NAME ... - By the authority; or in the behalf; or acting by his commission or power. 2 Corinthians 2:10. See the note at Acts 3:6. This does not refer to Paul alone in declaring his opinion, but means that they were to be assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus, and that they were to proceed... [ Continue Reading ]
TO DELIVER - This is the sentence which is to be executed. You are to deliver him to Satan, etc. UNTO SATAN - Beza, and the Latin fathers, suppose that this is only an expression of excommunication. They say, that in the Scriptures there are but two kingdoms recognized - the kingdom of God, or the c... [ Continue Reading ]
YOUR GLORYING - Your boasting; or confidence in your present condition, as if you were eminent in purity and piety. IS NOT GOOD - Is not well, proper, right. Boasting is never good; but it is especially wrong when, as here, there is an existing evil that is likely to corrupt the whole church. When p... [ Continue Reading ]
PURGE OUT THEREFORE ... - Put away; free yourselves from. THE OLD LEAVEN - The apostle here takes occasion, from the mention of leaven, to exhort the Corinthians to put away vice and sin. The figure is derived from the custom of the Jews in putting away leaven at the celebration of the passover. By... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US KEEP THE FEAST - Margin, “Holy day” ἑορτάζωμεν heortazōmen. This is language drawn from the paschal feast, and is used by Paul frequently to carry out and apply his illustration. It does not mean literally the paschal supper here - for that had ceased to be observed by Christians - nor the... [ Continue Reading ]
I WROTE UNTO YOU - I have written ἔγραψα egrapsa. This word may either refer to this Epistle, or to some former epistle. It simply denotes that he had written to them, but whether in the former part of this, or in some former epistle which is now lost, cannot be determined by the use of this word.... [ Continue Reading ]
YET NOT ALTOGETHER ... - In my direction not “to company” with them, I did not mean that you should refuse all kinds of contact with them; that you should not treat them with civility, or be engaged with them in any of the transactions of life, or in the ordinary contact of society between man and m... [ Continue Reading ]
“But now.” In this Epistle. This shows that he had written a former letter. I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU. - Above. I have designed to give this injunction that you are to be entirely separated from one who is a professor of religion and who is guilty of these things. NOT TO KEEP COMPANY - To be wholly se... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHAT HAVE I TO DO ... - I have no authority over them; and can exercise no jurisdiction over them. All my rules, therefore, must have reference only to those who are within the church. TO JUDGE - To pass sentence upon; to condemn; or to punish. As a Christian apostle I have no jurisdiction over... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THEM ... - They who are unconnected with the church are under the direct and special government of God. They are indeed sinners, and they deserve punishment for their crimes. But it is not ours to pronounce sentence upon them, or to inflict punishment. God will do that. our province is in regard... [ Continue Reading ]