1 CORINTHIANS 5:12 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?”
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? — 'Those outside' (exō) are non-believers; judging them is God's domain (cf. v. 13, citing Deut 17:7). 'Those inside' (esō) are church members; the church's responsibility is internal discipline. Paul redirects the Corinthians' focus: stop elevating external judges (pagan courts, ch. 6); establish just judgment within the community.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 5:12
“For what have I to do with judging them that are without?” Calling the Christians and the Greeks, “those within” and “those without,” as also he says elsewhere, 1 Timothy 3:7 “He must also have a good report of them that are without.” And in the Epistle to the Thessalonians he speaks the same language, saying, 2 Thessalonians 3:14 “Have no intercourse with him to the end that he may be put to shame.” And, “Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” Here,…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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