1 Corinthians 5:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 5:1 mean?

1 Corinthians 5:1 says that news has spread about a kind of sexual immorality happening among the Corinthian Christians—specifically, a man is in a relationship with his father’s wife, something even non-Jewish people (Gentiles) would not tolerate. Paul is pointing out the seriousness and unusual nature of this behavior within the church.

Paul, the apostle, is writing to the Christians in Corinth after hearing reports about their community. He is shocked that such a scandalous act—one that would have been offensive even to the surrounding non-Christian society—is being tolerated among believers. This sets the stage for Paul to address how the church should respond to such situations.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 5:1

• πορνεία (porneia, G4202): This word is often translated as "fornication" or "sexual immorality." In Greek culture, it covered a wide range of sexual sins, not just premarital sex. Paul uses it here to describe a particularly shocking case.
• ἐν (en, G1722): Translated as "among," this word emphasizes that the issue is happening within the church community, not outside it.
• ὄνομα (onoma, G3687): Translated as "named," this word means something is not even talked about or acknowledged. Paul is stressing that even the Gentiles do not speak of such acts, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
• ἔχειν (echein, G2192): Translated as "have," this word here means to be in a relationship with, not just a one-time act. It suggests an ongoing situation, not a single event.

Why 1 Corinthians 5:1 matters

• This verse makes clear that the moral standards expected of Christians were not only high but also expected to surpass those of the surrounding culture.
• Paul’s shock shows that the church is called to address serious wrongdoing among its members, not ignore it.
• The verse sets up the rest of the chapter, where Paul explains how the church should deal with such situations, making it a key turning point in his letter.