“For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,”
For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus — Paul's spiritual presence and judgment are real despite physical absence. 'In the name of our Lord Jesus' (en tō onomati tou kyriou Iēsou) means with Christ's authority and presence. Paul's judgment is not personal vindetta but Christ-mediated discipline.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 5:3
“For I verily being absent in body, but present in spirit.” Mark his energy. He suffers them not even to wait for his presence, nor to receive him first and then pass the sentence of binding: but as if on the point of expelling some contagion before that it have spread itself into the rest of the body, he hastens to restrain it. And therefore he subjoins the clause, “I have judged already, as though I were present.” These things moreover he said, not only to urge them unto…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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