1
Ὅλως ἀκούεται ἐν ὑμῖν πορνεία, καὶ τοιαύτη πορνεία ἥτις οὐδὲ ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, ὥστε γυναῖκά τινα τοῦ πατρὸς ἔχειν.
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such immorality as is not even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife.
Paul opens the new topic abruptly with no connective particle but a stinging adverb 'actually' — the report itself frames the indictment: a sin surpassing even pagan tolerance.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
Ὅλωςactually/at alladverb (degree/emphasis)ὅλως: 'wholly, actually, generally'; here intensive — 'it is actually/commonly reported,' underscoring the notoriety.
ἀκούεταιis reported/heardPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb→ present (ongoing report)ἀκούω: 'hear'; passive 'it is heard/reported' — the scandal is common knowledge.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)
πορνείαsexual immoralityNominativesubject of ἀκούεταιπορνεία: 'sexual immorality, fornication'; the broad term for illicit sexual conduct, here a specific incest.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (ascensive)
τοιαύτηsuchNominativeattributive adj. (qualitative)τοιοῦτος: 'such, of this kind'; the demonstrative adjective points to the shocking quality of the sin.
πορνείαimmoralityNominativeappositional repetition (resumptive)
ἥτιςwhich (kind)Nominativerelative pronoun (qualitative)ὅστις: the qualitative relative — 'of such a sort that'; the verb 'is found' is elided in the clause.
οὐδὲnot evennegative adverb (ascensive)οὐδέ: 'not even'; raises the rhetorical force — even pagans do not tolerate this.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)
τοῖςtheDativearticle
ἔθνεσινGentiles/nationsDativeobject of ἐν (sphere)ἔθνος: 'nation'; plural here = pagans/the non-Jewish world, whose own moral sense condemns such incest.
ὥστεso that/namely thatconjunction introducing result/epexegetical inf.ὥστε: 'so as to'; here introducing the infinitive clause that specifies the immorality.
γυναῖκάwife/womanAccusativeobject of ἔχεινγυνή: 'woman, wife'; here 'his father's wife' = stepmother, an incestuous union forbidden in Lev 18:8.
τιναsomeoneAccusativesubject (accusative) of infinitiveτις: 'someone'; the unnamed offender — the subject of the infinitive ἔχειν.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
πατρὸςfather'sGenitivegenitive of relationship (possession)πατήρ: 'father'; the woman belongs to the father — the phrase 'father's wife' echoes the LXX prohibition.
ἔχεινto havePres Act Inf · ἔχωepexegetical infinitive (with ὥστε)→ present (ongoing relationship)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; here a euphemism for an ongoing sexual/marital relationship.
2
καὶ ὑμεῖς πεφυσιωμένοι ἐστέ, καὶ οὐχὶ μᾶλλον ἐπενθήσατε, ἵνα ἀρθῇ ἐκ μέσου ὑμῶν ὁ τὸ ἔργον τοῦτο πράξας;
And you are puffed up! Should you not rather have mourned, so that the one who did this deed might be removed from among you?
The shocking response: instead of grief, arrogance. A rhetorical question exposes the moral inversion — pride where lament was due.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adversative force)
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)The emphatic 'you' throws the contrast into relief — given such a sin, this is your reaction?
πεφυσιωμένοιpuffed upPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · φυσιόωperiphrastic perfect (with ἐστέ)→ intensive perfect (settled state)φυσιόω: 'inflate, puff up' (from φῦσα, 'bellows'); a favorite Corinthian-correspondence word for arrogance (4:6, 18–19; 8:1).
ἐστέyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrasis)→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐχὶnot?interrogative negative (expects 'yes')οὐχί: emphatic 'not'; introducing a question that anticipates the answer 'yes, you should have.'
μᾶλλονratheradverb (comparison)μᾶλλον: 'rather, more'; the fitting response (mourning) set over against the actual one (pride).
ἐπενθήσατεyou mournedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · πενθέωmain verb (interrogative)→ constative aoristπενθέω: 'mourn, grieve'; the grief of bereavement — the church should have lamented as over a death.
ἵναso thatconjunction introducing purpose/resultἵνα: 'in order that'; the intended outcome of the proper grief — removal of the offender.
ἀρθῇmight be removedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · αἴρωsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ ingressive aoristαἴρω: 'lift up, take away, remove'; the divine-passive overtone — the man ought to be put out of the community.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
μέσουmidstGenitiveobject of ἐκ (separation)μέσος: 'middle'; ἐκ μέσου = 'from among' — covenantal expulsion language (cf. the LXX 'cut off from among the people').
ὑμῶνof youGenitivepartitive genitive
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἔργονdeedAccusativedirect object of πράξαςἔργον: 'work, deed'; the act named with cool detachment — 'this deed.'
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (attributive)
πράξαςwho didAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πράσσωsubstantival participle (subject of ἀρθῇ)→ constative aoristπράσσω: 'do, practice, commit'; the participle identifies the offender by his act.
3
ἐγὼ μὲν γάρ, ἀπὼν τῷ σώματι παρὼν δὲ τῷ πνεύματι, ἤδη κέκρικα ὡς παρὼν τὸν οὕτως τοῦτο κατεργασάμενον·
For I, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged, as if present, the one who has so committed this —
Paul grounds his demand: the apostle has already rendered judgment. Bodily absence is no bar — present in spirit, he has decided the case.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)The emphatic 'I' contrasts the apostle's clear judgment with the church's inaction.
μὲνindeedparticle (μέν solitarium / setting up contrast)μέν: marks the first member; here loosely answered by the implied contrast with the church.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ἀπὼνbeing absentPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἄπειμιconcessive participle→ present (concurrent state)ἄπειμι: 'be away, absent' (ἀπό + εἰμί); concessive — 'although absent.'
τῷin theDativearticle
σώματιbodyDativedative of respect/referenceσῶμα: 'body'; the sphere of physical presence in which Paul is absent.
παρὼνbeing presentPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πάρειμιadverbial participle (contrast)→ present (concurrent state)πάρειμι: 'be present, at hand' (παρά + εἰμί); set in antithesis to ἀπών.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
τῷin theDativearticle
πνεύματιspiritDativedative of respect/referenceπνεῦμα: here Paul's own spirit — his personal presence in concern and authority, transcending distance.
ἤδηalreadyadverb (time)ἤδη: 'already, now'; the verdict is not pending but rendered.
κέκρικαI have judgedPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · κρίνωmain verb→ intensive perfect (decision standing in force)κρίνω: 'judge, decide'; the perfect stresses a settled judgment with continuing effect — Paul has decided and it stands.
ὡςascomparative particle (manner)ὡς: 'as, as if'; introduces the manner of his judging — as though physically present.
παρὼνpresentPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πάρειμιadverbial participle (manner, with ὡς)→ present (concurrent state)πάρειμι: 'be present'; repeated to reinforce the force of his absentee verdict.
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
οὕτωςthus/soadverb (manner)οὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; underscoring the brazen manner of the act.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object of κατεργασάμενον
κατεργασάμενονwho has committedAor Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · κατεργάζομαιsubstantival participle (object of κέκρικα)→ constative aoristκατεργάζομαι: 'accomplish, perpetrate' (κατά-intensive of ἐργάζομαι); the prefix stresses the deed brought fully to completion.
4
ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ, συναχθέντων ὑμῶν καὶ τοῦ ἐμοῦ πνεύματος σὺν τῇ δυνάμει τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ,
in the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus,
The setting of the action of v.5: a solemn assembly convened in the Lord's name, joined by Paul's spirit and empowered by the Lord's own authority.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/authority)
τῷtheDativearticle
ὀνόματιnameDativedative of sphere (authority)ὄνομα: 'name'; acting 'in the name' = on the authority and as the representative of the Lord.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of possession (whose name)κύριος: 'Lord'; the authority under which the disciplinary act is taken.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου
συναχθέντωνhaving been gatheredAor Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · συνάγωgenitive absolute (temporal)→ constative aoristσυνάγω: 'gather together' (συν + ἄγω); the genitive absolute sets the scene — the convened congregation.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivesubject of genitive absolute
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἐμοῦmyGenitivepossessive adjective (attributive)ἐμός: 'my'; Paul's spirit is co-present in the assembly — his authority joins theirs.
πνεύματοςspiritGenitivecoordinate subject of gen. absoluteπνεῦμα: Paul's spirit, gathered with them — echoing παρὼν τῷ πνεύματι (v.3).
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)
τῇtheDativearticle
δυνάμειpowerDativeobject of σύν (accompaniment)δύναμις: 'power'; the disciplinary act is effective only by the Lord's own present power.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of source/possessionκύριος: 'Lord'; the repeated title binds the whole proceeding to Christ's authority and power.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἸησοῦJesusGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου
5
παραδοῦναι τὸν τοιοῦτον τῷ Σατανᾷ εἰς ὄλεθρον τῆς σαρκός, ἵνα τὸ πνεῦμα σωθῇ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ κυρίου.
you are to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
The infinitive carries the main directive of vv.3–5: hand the offender over to Satan. The aim is not damnation but restoration — the flesh destroyed so the spirit be saved.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
παραδοῦναιto deliver/hand overAor Act Inf · παραδίδωμιinfinitive (imperatival / completing κέκρικα)→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver up' (παρά + δίδωμι); a formal handing-over to another's power — here Satan's sphere outside the church.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
τοιοῦτονsuch a oneAccusativedirect object of παραδοῦναι (substantival)τοιοῦτος: 'such a one'; the demonstrative names the offender by category, not by name.
τῷtheDativearticle
Σατανᾷto SatanDativeindirect object (recipient)Σατανᾶς: 'Satan, the adversary' (from Hebrew śāṭān); the realm outside the church into which the unrepentant is consigned (cf. 1 Tim 1:20).
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/result)
ὄλεθρονdestructionAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)ὄλεθρος: 'ruin, destruction'; the painful breaking-down aimed at — debated whether physical chastening or the death of the sinful disposition.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
σαρκόςfleshGenitiveobjective genitive (what is destroyed)σάρξ: 'flesh'; either the man's body (physical chastisement) or, more likely in Pauline usage, the sinful nature/fleshly self set against the saved 'spirit.'
ἵναso thatconjunction introducing purposeἵνα: 'in order that'; the redemptive goal of the severe measure.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πνεῦμαspiritNominativesubject of σωθῇπνεῦμα: here the man's own spirit/self in its eternal destiny — the discipline's saving aim, set against 'flesh.'
σωθῇmay be savedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · σῴζωsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ constative aorist (eschatological)σῴζω: 'save, rescue, preserve'; the divine-passive — God's saving of the offender at the last day is the discipline's purpose.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time)
τῇtheDativearticle
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the day of the Lord' — the eschatological day of judgment and salvation (cf. OT 'Day of the LORD').
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivepossessive/subjective genitiveκύριος: 'Lord'; the final day belongs to Christ — the horizon of the offender's hoped-for salvation.
6
Οὐ καλὸν τὸ καύχημα ὑμῶν. οὐκ οἴδατε ὅτι μικρὰ ζύμη ὅλον τὸ φύραμα ζυμοῖ;
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?
Paul returns to their pride (v.2) with a curt verdict and a proverb: corruption tolerated in one member contaminates the whole community.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
Οὐnotnegative particle
καλὸνgoodNominativepredicate adjectiveκαλός: 'good, fitting, fine'; their self-congratulation is morally unbecoming.
τὸtheNominativearticle
καύχημαboasting/ground of boastingNominativesubjectκαύχημα: 'object/ground of boasting'; their grounds for pride — empty given the unaddressed sin.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession
οὐκnotinterrogative negative (expects 'yes')οὐκ: with οἴδατε, a question expecting 'yes, we know' — a rhetorical appeal to common knowledge.
οἴδατεyou knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (interrogative)→ perfect with present forceοἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present sense); Paul's recurring 'do you not know?' in this letter (3:16; 6:2–3, etc.).
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause)
μικρὰa littleNominativeattributive adjectiveμικρός: 'small, little'; the smallness underscores how slight a corruption suffices to spread.
ζύμηleavenNominativesubject of ζυμοῖζύμη: 'leaven, yeast'; a stock biblical image for permeating influence, usually of corruption (cf. Exod 12; Matt 16:6).
ὅλονwholeAccusativeattributive adjectiveὅλος: 'whole, entire'; the totality affected — no part of the lump escapes.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
φύραμαlump/batch of doughAccusativedirect object of ζυμοῖφύραμα: 'that which is mixed/kneaded,' a lump of dough; figuratively the whole community.
ζυμοῖleavensPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζυμόωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ gnomic present (proverbial truth)ζυμόω: 'leaven, cause to ferment'; the gnomic present states a general principle of how leaven works.
7
ἐκκαθάρατε τὴν παλαιὰν ζύμην, ἵνα ἦτε νέον φύραμα, καθώς ἐστε ἄζυμοι. καὶ γὰρ τὸ πάσχα ἡμῶν ἐτύθη Χριστός·
Cleanse out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed.
The proverb turns to command: purge the old leaven and be what you already are. The Passover imagery is grounded christologically — the Lamb has been slain.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἐκκαθάρατεcleanse outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐκκαθαίρωmain verb (command)→ ingressive/constative aorist (decisive action)ἐκκαθαίρω: 'clean out thoroughly' (ἐκ-intensive of καθαίρω); the Passover ritual of purging all leaven from the house (Exod 12:15).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
παλαιὰνoldAccusativeattributive adjectiveπαλαιός: 'old, former'; the leaven of the old life and the present corruption to be removed.
ζύμηνleavenAccusativedirect object of ἐκκαθάρατεζύμη: 'leaven'; the offender and the malice that, left in, corrupts all.
ἵναthatconjunction introducing purpose
ἦτεyou may bePres Act Subj 2 Pl · εἰμίsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ stative present
νέονnewNominativepredicate adjectiveνέος: 'new, fresh'; a freshly-made, leaven-free batch — the renewed community.
φύραμαlumpNominativepredicate nominativeφύραμα: 'lump of dough'; the church as a new, pure batch.
καθώςascomparative conjunctionκαθώς: 'just as, according as'; introduces the indicative basis for the imperative — be what you are.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (comparative clause)→ stative present
ἄζυμοιunleavenedNominativepredicate nominativeἄζυμος: 'without leaven' (ἀ- + ζύμη); the festal bread of Passover — believers' true, given status in Christ.
καὶindeed/alsoconjunction (with γάρ: 'for indeed')
γὰρforexplanatory conjunctionκαὶ γάρ: 'for indeed'; grounds the unleavened status in the accomplished Passover sacrifice.
τὸtheNominativearticle
πάσχαPassover (lamb)Nominativepredicate nominative (indeclinable)πάσχα: 'Passover' (Aramaic; indeclinable); here the Passover lamb — Christ is identified with the slain lamb.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐτύθηhas been sacrificedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · θύωmain verb→ constative aorist (accomplished event)θύω: 'sacrifice, slaughter'; the cultic verb for slaying the Passover victim — the divine-passive points to the cross.
ΧριστόςChristNominativesubject of ἐτύθηΧριστός: 'Anointed, Christ'; the subject placed last for emphasis — Christ himself is the sacrificed Passover.
8
ὥστε ἑορτάζωμεν, μὴ ἐν ζύμῃ παλαιᾷ μηδὲ ἐν ζύμῃ κακίας καὶ πονηρίας, ἀλλ' ἐν ἀζύμοις εἰλικρινείας καὶ ἀληθείας.
So then, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
The inferential climax of the metaphor: since the Lamb is slain, let us keep festival — defined morally, leaven (malice) versus the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ὥστεso theninferential conjunctionὥστε: 'so that, therefore'; here drawing the practical inference from the finished sacrifice.
ἑορτάζωμενlet us keep the feastPres Act Subj 1 Pl · ἑορτάζωhortatory subjunctive→ customary/durative present (ongoing festal life)ἑορτάζω: 'celebrate a feast'; the Christian life as a perpetual Passover festival, lived in purity.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive idea)
ἐνwith/inpreposition + dative (means/manner)
ζύμῃleavenDativeobject of ἐν (manner)ζύμη: 'leaven'; the corrupting element to be excluded from the feast.
παλαιᾷoldDativeattributive adjectiveπαλαιός: 'old'; the leaven of the pre-Christian life.
μηδὲnornegative conjunction
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (manner)
ζύμῃleavenDativeobject of ἐν (manner)
κακίαςof maliceGenitivegenitive of apposition/contentκακία: 'malice, ill-will, badness'; the leaven is identified with moral evil — the disposition that does harm.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πονηρίαςof evil/wickednessGenitivegenitive of apposition/contentπονηρία: 'wickedness, depravity'; active evil — the leaven of vice paired with κακία.
ἀλλ'butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the strong contrast introducing the positive ethical content of the feast.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (manner)
ἀζύμοιςunleavened breadDativeobject of ἐν (substantival adj.)ἄζυμος: 'unleavened (bread)'; the festal bread, now metaphor for moral purity.
εἰλικρινείαςof sincerityGenitivegenitive of apposition/contentεἰλικρίνεια: 'sincerity, purity'; perhaps 'tested by sunlight' (εἵλη + κρίνω) — moral transparency, unmixed motive.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἀληθείαςof truthGenitivegenitive of apposition/contentἀλήθεια: 'truth, truthfulness'; integrity of life paired with sincerity as the substance of the true feast.
9
Ἔγραψα ὑμῖν ἐν τῇ ἐπιστολῇ μὴ συναναμίγνυσθαι πόρνοις,
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people —
Paul recalls an earlier directive to begin a clarification — his 'do not associate with the immoral' had been misread.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ἜγραψαI wroteAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb→ constative aorist (epistolary or prior letter)γράφω: 'write'; refers to a previous (now-lost) letter to Corinth, not this one.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)
τῇtheDativearticle (anaphoric: 'that' letter)The article points to a specific, known letter — 'the letter' previously sent.
ἐπιστολῇletterDativeobject of ἐν (location)ἐπιστολή: 'letter, epistle'; the earlier correspondence to which Paul now refers.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)
συναναμίγνυσθαιto associate/mix withPres Mid Inf · συναναμίγνυμιinfinitive of indirect command→ customary present (habitual association)συναναμίγνυμι: 'mingle together with' (συν + ἀνά + μίγνυμι); close, ongoing fellowship — not mere contact.
πόρνοιςwith the sexually immoralDativedative complement of the verb (association)πόρνος: 'sexually immoral person, fornicator'; the masculine of πορνεία — those given to such conduct.
10
οὐ πάντως τοῖς πόρνοις τοῦ κόσμου τούτου ἢ τοῖς πλεονέκταις καὶ ἅρπαξιν ἢ εἰδωλολάτραις, ἐπεὶ ὠφείλετε ἄρα ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου ἐξελθεῖν.
not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would have to go out of the world.
Paul corrects the misreading: he never meant withdrawal from sinners outside — that would require leaving the world altogether. The point was insiders.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
οὐnotnegative particle
πάντωςat all/altogetheradverb (with οὐ: 'not at all/not absolutely')πάντως: 'altogether, by all means'; οὐ πάντως = 'not at all' or 'not in the absolute sense' — qualifying the prior command.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
πόρνοιςimmoralDativedative (implied complement of v.9 verb)πόρνος: 'sexually immoral person'; here the pagans of the world, not erring believers.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κόσμουworldGenitiveattributive genitive (sphere)κόσμος: 'world'; the unbelieving society outside the church — its sinners are not Paul's concern here.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative (attributive)
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
τοῖςtheDativearticle
πλεονέκταιςgreedyDativedative (coordinate complement)πλεονέκτης: 'covetous/greedy person' (πλέον + ἔχω, 'have more'); one grasping for gain.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἅρπαξινswindlers/robbersDativedative (coordinate complement)ἅρπαξ: 'rapacious, a swindler/robber' (from ἁρπάζω, 'snatch'); one who seizes others' goods.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
εἰδωλολάτραιςidolatersDativedative (coordinate complement)εἰδωλολάτρης: 'idolater' (εἴδωλον + λατρεύω, 'idol-server'); a coinage of biblical Greek for pagan worshipers.
ἐπεὶsince (otherwise)causal conjunction (introducing reductio)ἐπεί: 'since, for otherwise'; introduces the absurd consequence of the misreading.
ὠφείλετεyou would be obligatedImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · ὀφείλωmain verb (unreal/potential)→ imperfect of unrealized obligationὀφείλω: 'owe, be obligated'; the imperfect expresses a contrary-to-fact necessity — 'you would have had to.'
ἄραthen/consequentlyinferential particleἄρα: 'then, consequently'; draws the logical (absurd) conclusion.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (separation)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κόσμουworldGenitiveobject of ἐκ (separation)κόσμος: 'world'; total separation from worldly sinners would mean abandoning human society entirely.
ἐξελθεῖνto go outAor Act Inf · ἐξέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ὠφείλετε)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, depart' (ἐκ + ἔρχομαι); the impossible exit from the world that the misreading would demand.
11
νῦν δὲ ἔγραψα ὑμῖν μὴ συναναμίγνυσθαι ἐάν τις ἀδελφὸς ὀνομαζόμενος ᾖ πόρνος ἢ πλεονέκτης ἢ εἰδωλολάτρης ἢ λοίδορος ἢ μέθυσος ἢ ἅρπαξ, τῷ τοιούτῳ μηδὲ συνεσθίειν.
But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is sexually immoral or greedy, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler — not even to eat with such a person.
The corrective restated: the prohibition targets a self-styled 'brother' living in such sin. The intensifier 'not even to eat' marks the depth of the breach.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
νῦνnowadverb (logical 'now')νῦν: 'now'; here logical rather than temporal — 'as it is, what I actually meant.'
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ἔγραψαI write/wroteAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb (epistolary aorist)→ epistolary aorist ('I am writing')γράφω: 'write'; epistolary aorist — from the readers' standpoint Paul 'wrote,' i.e. is now writing.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)
συναναμίγνυσθαιto associate withPres Mid Inf · συναναμίγνυμιinfinitive of indirect command→ customary present (habitual association)συναναμίγνυμι: 'mingle closely with'; the same verb as v.9, now precisely targeted.
ἐάνifconjunction (third-class condition)ἐάν: 'if'; conditional defining the kind of person in view.
τιςanyoneNominativesubject of ᾖ (indefinite)τις: 'anyone, someone'; an indefinite member of the community.
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativepredicate/appositional nominativeἀδελφός: 'brother'; the key word — the discipline concerns a professed fellow believer, not an outsider.
ὀνομαζόμενοςnamed/so-calledPres Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὀνομάζωattributive participle→ present (ongoing designation)ὀνομάζω: 'name, call'; 'called a brother' — possibly hinting the title is merely nominal given the conduct.
ᾖisPres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίsubjunctive (ἐάν clause)→ stative present
πόρνοςimmoralNominativepredicate nominativeπόρνος: 'sexually immoral person'; first in the vice-list, recalling the case at hand.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
πλεονέκτηςgreedyNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)πλεονέκτης: 'covetous, greedy person'; grasping for more.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
εἰδωλολάτρηςidolaterNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)εἰδωλολάτρης: 'idolater'; idol-worship, a live danger in pagan Corinth.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
λοίδοροςrevilerNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)λοίδορος: 'reviler, abusive person'; one who assails others with insults.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
μέθυσοςdrunkardNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)μέθυσος: 'drunkard'; habitually given to drink.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction
ἅρπαξswindlerNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)ἅρπαξ: 'rapacious, swindler/robber'; closing the vice-list (cf. v.10).
τῷtheDativearticle
τοιούτῳsuch a oneDativedative complement of συνεσθίειντοιοῦτος: 'such a one'; the offender summed up — fronted for emphasis before the infinitive.
μηδὲnot evennegative adverb (ascensive)μηδέ: 'not even'; the climax — table fellowship, the closest social bond, is to be withheld.
συνεσθίεινto eat withPres Act Inf · συνεσθίωcomplementary infinitive (epexegetical)→ customary presentσυνεσθίω: 'eat together with' (συν + ἐσθίω); shared meals signified acceptance and fellowship in the ancient world.
12
τί γάρ μοι τοὺς ἔξω κρίνειν; οὐχὶ τοὺς ἔσω ὑμεῖς κρίνετε;
For what business of mine is it to judge those outside? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
Paul grounds the insider/outsider distinction: the church's jurisdiction is internal. Outsiders lie beyond its disciplinary remit.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
τίwhat?/why?interrogative (τί … μοι idiom)τί γάρ μοι: idiomatic 'for what is it to me?' — i.e. it is no concern of mine.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
μοιto meDativedative of interest/possession
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes adv.)
ἔξωoutsideadverb (substantized: 'outsiders')ἔξω: 'outside'; οἱ ἔξω = those outside the church, unbelievers (cf. Col 4:5; 1 Thess 4:12).
κρίνεινto judgePres Act Inf · κρίνωinfinitive (subject of implied ἐστίν)→ customary presentκρίνω: 'judge'; the disciplinary judging that is not Paul's task regarding outsiders.
οὐχὶnot?interrogative negative (expects 'yes')οὐχί: emphatic 'not'; the question anticipates assent — 'yes, we judge insiders.'
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes adv.)
ἔσωinsideadverb (substantized: 'insiders')ἔσω: 'inside, within'; οἱ ἔσω = those within the church — the proper objects of communal discipline.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic)The emphatic 'you' lays the responsibility squarely on the congregation.
κρίνετεyou judgePres Act Indic 2 Pl · κρίνωmain verb (interrogative)→ customary present (or imperatival)κρίνω: 'judge'; the church's ongoing duty to assess and discipline its own members.
13
τοὺς δὲ ἔξω ὁ θεὸς κρίνει. ἐξάρατε τὸν πονηρὸν ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν.
God judges those outside. "Remove the evil person from among yourselves."
The chapter closes on the division of labor — God judges outsiders — and a Deuteronomic command sealing the whole: expel the evildoer.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes adv.)
δὲbut/andconjunction (mild contrast)
ἔξωoutsideadverb (substantized: 'outsiders')ἔξω: 'outside'; οἱ ἔξω — God reserves their judgment to himself.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the proper judge of outsiders — relieving the church of that role.
κρίνειjudgesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κρίνωmain verb (gnomic / futuristic)→ gnomic present (or futuristic)κρίνω: 'judge'; God's settled prerogative over those beyond the church — possibly a futuristic present pointing to final judgment.
ἐξάρατεremove/put awayAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐξαίρωmain verb (command)→ ingressive aorist (decisive act)ἐξαίρω: 'remove, drive out' (ἐκ + αἴρω); echoes the recurring LXX Deuteronomic formula 'you shall purge the evil from among you' (Deut 17:7; 22:21, etc.).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πονηρὸνevil personAccusativedirect object (substantival adj.)πονηρός: 'evil, wicked (one)'; the LXX wording — the evildoer to be expelled (and in Deut, often, the evil itself).
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (separation)
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ἐξ (separation)
αὐτῶνyourselvesGenitiveintensive pronoun (with ὑμῶν)αὐτός: intensive 'selves'; ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν = 'from among your own selves' — the community must act on itself.