1 Corinthians 5:1
What does 1 Corinthians 5:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 5:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 5:1 means
Paul confronts a shocking report: a kind of sexual immorality so brazen that even the surrounding Gentile culture would recoil. The phrase “his father’s wife” points to an incestuous relationship with a stepmother. This sin is not hidden or disputed; it is known and, by implication, tolerated. Paul highlights the scandal because the church’s witness is at stake. When those who bear Christ’s name indulge in what the world itself decries, the honor of the gospel is diminished. The verse calls the church to face hard facts: some behavior is plainly incompatible with belonging to Christ and must be addressed with sober clarity, not excused or minimized.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that oneof you hath his father’s wife.
KJV
King James Version · 1611It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that oneof you hath his father’s wife.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949It is said, in fact, that there is among you a sin of the flesh, such as is not seen even among the Gentiles, that one of you has his father's wife.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Whoredom is actually heard of among you, and such whoredom as is not even named among the nations--as that one hath the wife of the father! --
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752It is absolutely heard that there is fornication among you and such fornication as the like is not among the heathens: that one should have his father's wife.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890It is universally reported [that there is] fornication among you, and such fornication as [is] not even among the nations, so that one should have his father's wife.
Context
This opening verse sets the crisis that drives the whole chapter. Having earlier addressed divisions, Paul now turns to a notorious moral failure in the congregation. The stark description prepares readers for a strong pastoral response. Verse 2 will contrast the Corinthians’ pride with the grief they should feel, and verses 3–5 will outline decisive action. Understanding the public, egregious nature of the sin helps explain why Paul insists on a corporate, urgent remedy rather than private, gradual correction.
v.1This passage
v.2And ye are puffed up, and did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 2:33
How trimmest thou thy way to seek love! therefore even the wicked women hast thou taught thy ways.
- 1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
- Revelation 21:8
But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
- 1 Corinthians 5:11
but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat.
- Leviticus 18:8
The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover; it is thy father’s nakedness.
- 2 Corinthians 7:12
So although I wrote unto you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God.
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