Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

1 Corinthians 5
New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

Overview of 1 Corinthians

- C. KEEPING THE CONGREGATION MORALLY CLEAN (5:1–6:20)
  - 1. Handling a case of sexual immorality (5:1-13)
    - Congregation not to tolerate sexual immorality (5:1-5)
    - “A little leaven ferments the whole batch” (5:6-8)
    - Stop keeping company with the wicked (5:9-13)
  - 2. Better to be defrauded than to take a fellow Christian to court before unbelievers (6:1-8)
  - 3. Warning against spiritual and moral uncleanness (6:9-20)
    - Those who will not inherit the Kingdom (6:9-11)
    - “Your bodies are members of Christ,” so “flee from sexual immorality!” (6:12-20)

1 Corinthians 5:1

sexual immorality . . . immorality: As used in the Bible, the Greek word por·neiʹa (used twice in this verse) is a general term for certain sexual activities forbidden by God. It includes adultery, prostitution, sexual relations between unmarried individuals, homosexual acts, and bestiality.—See Glossary.

*
Lit., “having.”

+Eph 5:3
+Le 18:8

Research Guide

The Watchtower,
8/15/1997, p. 28
Publications Index
w97 8/15 28;

w78 3/15 27; w77 178; w75 75; w72 735; w64 689; g64 6/22 8; w63 484; w62 366; w56 596; w52 134; w46 76

1 Corinthians 5:2

+2Co 7:9
+1Co 5:13; 2Jo 10

Publications Index
g71 6/22 27; w52 134

1 Corinthians 5:3

Research Guide

Insight, Volume 2, p. 225
Publications Index
it-2 225;

w74 422

1 Corinthians 5:4

Publications Index
w74 422

1 Corinthians 5:5

hand such a man over to Satan: This was a command to remove a man from the congregation. (1Co 5:13; 1Ti 1:20) The man would then become part of the world over which Satan is the god and ruler. (1Jo 5:19) The person’s removal would result in the destruction of the flesh, or the removal of the corrupting element from the congregation. As a result, the congregation’s positive spirit, or dominant attitude, would be preserved.—2Ti 4:22.

+1Ti 1:20
+1Co 1:8

Research Guide

Insight, Volume 2, pp. 869-870, 1014

The Watchtower,
2/15/2012, p. 22
7/15/2008, pp. 26-27
11/15/2006, p. 27
Publications Index
it-2 869-870, 1014; w12 2/15 22; w08 7/15 26-27; w06 11/15 27;

w77 369; w74 467, 472; ad 1452; w69 274; w63 474; w62 534; g62 4/22 15; w52 134; w44 153; w41 253; w36 152

1 Corinthians 5:6

leaven: Or “yeast.” A substance added in order to ferment dough; especially a portion of fermented dough preserved from a previous batch. (Ex 12:20) In the Bible, leaven is often used as a symbol of sin and corruption.—See study note on Mt 16:6.

ferments: Or “spreads through; affects.” The Greek verb used here, zy·moʹo (“to leaven”), is related to the noun for “leaven,” zyʹme, also used in this verse. At Ga 5:9, Paul uses the same metaphor, which was apparently a proverbial saying.

+Ec 9:18; 1Co 15:33; Ga 5:9; 2Ti 2:16, 17

Research Guide

Enjoy Life Forever!, lesson 57

Insight, Volume 2, p. 230

The Watchtower,
3/15/1993, p. 5
Publications Index
lff lesson 57; it-2 230; w93 3/15 5;

w80 2/15 10; w77 369; w75 204; w75 428; w74 466; w73 336; ad 1051; w66 53; w65 200; w64 273; w60 113; w53 742; w52 74, 134; w46 76

1 Corinthians 5:7

Clear away the old leaven: Paul here draws on the symbolic meaning of the Jewish Festival of Unleavened Bread, which immediately followed the Passover celebration. During the Passover, the Israelites removed any leaven from their houses. Similarly, Christian elders needed to act to get “the old leaven” out of the midst of the congregation. (1Co 5:8) Just as a bit of leaven, or sourdough, soon causes the whole batch of dough to ferment, so a corrupt person could influence the whole congregation, making it unclean in Jehovah’s eyes.

you are free from ferment: Lit., “you are unleavened.” (See Glossary, “Festival of Unleavened Bread.”) Leaven often represented sin and wickedness, so Paul compares the pure, unblemished life course of Christians to observing the Festival of Unleavened Bread.—1Co 5:8; see study note on Clear away the old leaven in this verse.

Christ our Passover lamb has been sacrificed: In Israel, Nisan 14 was the joyous day of the Passover celebration. Each year on that day, families shared a meal that included a young, unblemished lamb. Christians did not celebrate the Passover. However, that meal reminded them of the vital role that the lamb’s blood played in saving the Israelite firstborn on Nisan 14, 1513 B.C.E. At that time, God’s angel of death killed every firstborn of the Egyptians but spared those of the obedient Israelites. (Ex 12:1-14) Paul here shows that the Passover lamb foreshadowed Jesus. Jesus died on Nisan 14, 33 C.E. Like the blood of the Passover lamb, Jesus’ shed blood provides salvation for many.—Joh 3:16, 36.

+Joh 1:29
+1Pe 1:19, 20; Re 5:12

Research Guide

Bible Questions Answered, article 120

Insight, Volume 2, pp. 230, 1008

Life and Ministry Meeting Workbook,
4/2018, p. 2

The Watchtower,
12/15/2013, p. 19
3/15/1994, p. 4
3/15/1993, p. 5
2/15/1990, p. 12
4/15/1988, pp. 27-28
Publications Index
ijwbq article 120; it-2 230, 1008; mwb18.04 2; w13 12/15 19; w94 3/15 4; w93 3/15 5; w90 2/15 12; w88 4/15 27-28;

w85 2/15 17-18; w80 2/15 10; w77 223; w75 604; ad 1051; g69 2/22 29; w67 437-438; li 133; w65 200; im 216; w64 170; w63 198; bf 410; w62 139; w59 488; w48 36; w46 67, 71, 76; w43 70; w41 123; jh 103

1 Corinthians 5:8

+Ex 13:7

Research Guide

Insight, Volume 2, pp. 230, 1133

The Watchtower,
3/15/1993, p. 5
Publications Index
it-2 230, 1133; w93 3/15 5;

w80 2/15 10; w79 5/1 24; w77 223; w77 541; w75 604; sl 210; ad 1620; w68 222; w67 438; li 133; w65 200; w64 170; w62 139; w59 488; w46 67, 71, 76-77

1 Corinthians 5:9

In my letter I wrote you: Paul is clearly referring to an earlier letter that he wrote to the Corinthians, one that we do not possess today. God apparently chose not to preserve the earlier letter, possibly because it was essential only to those to whom it was addressed.—See study note on 1Co 1:2.

stop keeping company with: Or “stop associating with.”—See study note on 1Co 5:11.

sexually immoral people: This expression renders the Greek noun porʹnos, which is related to the noun por·neiʹa (sexual immorality, 1Co 5:1) and the verb por·neuʹo (to practice sexual immorality, 1Co 6:18). (See Glossary, “Sexual immorality.”) From ancient times, Corinth was known as a place where people had a morally decadent lifestyle and worshipped the goddess Aphrodite. That worship promoted sensuality and immorality. (Compare study note on 1Co 7:2.) Paul indicates that some Christians in Corinth had previously led an immoral lifestyle but had changed their conduct and were now good associates.—1Co 6:11.

Research Guide

Insight, Volume 2, p. 879
Publications Index
it-2 879;

w84 3/1 30; w83 3/15 30; w81 9/15 22; lp 166-167; w74 223; w72 592-593; ad 1459; g61 1/8 7; w60 498

1 Corinthians 5:10

the sexually immoral people: See study note on 1Co 5:9.

+1Jo 2:17
+Joh 17:15

Publications Index
w81 9/15 22; lp 166-167; w74 223; w72 592-593, 599; w62 651; w60 112, 498

1 Corinthians 5:11

stop keeping company with: Or “stop associating with.” The Greek word sy·na·na·miʹgny·mai, rendered “keeping company with,” means “to mix up together.” (The same Greek verb occurs at 2Th 3:14.) Thus, “keeping company” with others would imply having close fellowship or companionship with them and sharing their views and sentiments. Christians in Corinth had to “stop keeping company with,” that is, refuse to mingle with, any unrepentant sinner. They were to “remove the wicked person from among [themselves].”—1Co 5:13.

who is sexually immoral: See study note on 1Co 5:9.

a reviler: Or “a verbally abusive person.” A reviler is a person who regularly insults others with the intention of hurting them. A person who refuses to stop reviling is not qualified to be part of the congregation.—1Co 5:11-13; 6:9, 10.

not even eating with such a man: With this phrase, Paul further clarified what he meant when he said “to stop keeping company with” those in the congregation who unrepentantly carry on sinful activities. In the Bible, eating together was often a sign of friendship and led to further association. Jewish Christians understood this very well, since Jews did not keep company with or eat with people “of the nations.”—Mt 18:17; Ac 10:28; 11:2, 3.

+Nu 16:25, 26; Ro 16:17; 2Jo 10
+Eph 5:5
+De 21:20, 21; 1Pe 4:3
+1Co 6:9, 10; Ga 5:19-21

Research Guide

Enjoy Life Forever!, lesson 58

Insight, Volume 1, p. 656

Awake!,
9/8/1996, pp. 26-27

The Watchtower,
4/15/1988, pp. 26-28
Publications Index
lff lesson 58; it-1 656; g96 9/8 26-27; w88 4/15 26-28;

w83 6/15 14-15; w81 9/15 22-24, 29-30; hp 173-174; w74 460, 464, 467-469; w72 196; w67 192; w64 272; w63 413, 444; g63 1/22 11; g63 4/8 7; w62 351, 535, 632; g61 1/8 7; g61 12/22 4; w60 726; w55 607; w52 140, 704

1 Corinthians 5:12

+1Co 6:5

Research Guide

Insight, Volume 1, p. 519

Insight, Volume 2, p. 225
Publications Index
it-1 519; it-2 225;

hp 173-174; g78 12/8 28; w73 190-191; w48 88

1 Corinthians 5:13

Remove the wicked person from among yourselves: At the beginning of this chapter, Paul gave instructions to remove from the congregation a man who was living a sexually immoral life. (1Co 5:1, 2; see study notes on 1Co 5:1, 5.) Citing his authority for such instruction, Paul here quotes Jehovah’s law to Israel: “Remove what is bad from your midst.” (De 17:7) The quote is apparently taken from the Septuagint, which reads “the wicked (evil) person” instead of “what is bad (wicked; evil).” Similar exhortations can be found at De 19:19; 22:21, 24; 24:7.

+Ec 12:14
+Ge 3:23, 24; De 17:7; Tit 3:10; 2Jo 10

Research Guide

Insight, Volume 1, p. 519

Insight, Volume 2, pp. 225, 1150

The Watchtower,
4/15/2015, p. 30
5/15/1995, p. 13
Publications Index
it-1 519; it-2 225, 1150; w15 4/15 30; w95 5/15 13;

w85 4/1 12; w83 2/15 27; w81 9/15 16-17; hp 173-174; g78 12/8 28; w77 696-697; w76 728; w75 94; w74 460; w73 190-191; g65 4/22 17; w64 272, 431, 689; w63 410; g63 1/22 9, 11; g63 4/8 7; w62 535; g62 3/22 7; g62 4/22 15; w61 142, 415; g61 1/8 7; w51 240

Parallel Translations

Click a verse number to display parallel Bible verses.

Quotation

General

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

The First to the Corinthians

5 Actually sexual immorality+ is reported among you, and such immorality as is not even found among the nations—of a man living with* his father’s wife.+ 2 And are you proud of it? Should you not rather mourn,+ so that the man who committed this deed should be taken away from your midst?+ 3 Although absent in body, I am present in spirit, and I have already judged the man who has done this, as if I were actually with you. 4 When you are gathered together in the name of our Lord Jesus, and knowing that I am with you in spirit along with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you must hand such a man over to Satan+ for the destruction of the flesh, so that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.+

6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven ferments the whole batch of dough?+ 7 Clear away the old leaven so that you may be a new batch, inasmuch as you are free from ferment. For, indeed, Christ our Passover lamb+ has been sacrificed.+ 8 So, then, let us keep the festival,+ not with old leaven, nor with leaven of badness and wickedness, but with unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

9 In my letter I wrote you to stop keeping company with sexually immoral people, 10 not meaning entirely with the sexually immoral people of this world+ or the greedy people or extortioners or idolaters. Otherwise, you would actually have to get out of the world.+ 11 But now I am writing you to stop keeping company+ with anyone called a brother who is sexually immoral or a greedy person+ or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard+ or an extortioner,+ not even eating with such a man. 12 For what do I have to do with judging those outside? Do you not judge those inside,+ 13 while God judges those outside?+ “Remove the wicked person from among yourselves.”+