Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 5:13

What does 1 Corinthians 5:13 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 5:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 5:13 means

Paul concludes with a twofold truth: God judges those outside, and the church must act within. “Put away the wicked man from among yourselves” commands the removal of the unrepentant offender from fellowship. The language echoes the covenant community’s call to purge evil from its midst, underscoring continuity in God’s concern for a holy people. This is not about perfectionism but about refusing to call darkness light. By obeying this word, the church entrusts the offender to God and preserves the purity of its witness. The chapter ends where it began—addressing a concrete case—with a clear, necessary step for the congregation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

As for those who are outside, God is their judge. So put away the evil man from among you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and those without God doth judge; and put ye away the evil from among yourselves.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For them that are without, God will judge. Put away the evil one from among yourselves.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But those withoutGod judges. Remove the wicked person from amongst yourselves.

Context

This final verse wraps up Paul’s argument. After naming the sin (v. 1), grieving their pride (v. 2), asserting judgment (v. 3), directing gathered action under Christ (vv. 4–5), explaining the communal danger (vv. 6–8), clarifying associations (vv. 9–11), and defining jurisdiction (v. 12), he issues the decisive command. The conclusion ties the whole chapter together: God handles the world’s judgment; the church must maintain its own holiness by removing the unrepentant offender.

v.12For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within?

v.13This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:7

    Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ:

  • Deuteronomy 17:12

    And the man that doeth presumptuously, in not hearkening unto the priest that standeth to minister there before Jehovah thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.

  • 2 Peter 2:9

    the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment;

  • 1 Corinthians 5:1

    It 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.

  • Deuteronomy 22:24

    then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them to death with stones; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbor’s wife: so thou shalt put away the evil from the midst of thee.

  • 1 Corinthians 5:5

    to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

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