1 Corinthians 5:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 5:2 mean?

1 Corinthians 5:2 means that the Corinthian church was proud or arrogant when they should have been mourning over serious wrongdoing among them, specifically a sin that required the removal of the person responsible. Paul is rebuking the church for their attitude and lack of appropriate response to a grave situation.

Paul, writing to the Christians in Corinth, addresses a case of sexual immorality in their community. Instead of being grieved or taking action, the church members were complacent or even boastful. Paul’s words highlight that the right response would have been sorrow and the removal of the person who committed the deed from their fellowship.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 5:2

• "πενθέω" (pentheō, "mourned"): This Greek word means to grieve or mourn deeply, often used for mourning the dead. Paul’s use of this word shows he expected the church to feel genuine sorrow over sin, not just mild regret.
• "ἐξαίρω" (exairō, "taken away"): This word means to remove or take out. Paul is not just talking about feeling bad, but about actually removing the person from the group, showing the seriousness of the situation.
• "φυσιόω" (physioō, "puffed up"): This word means to be arrogant or proud. Paul is pointing out that their pride is completely out of place in this context, making their failure to act even more troubling.

Why 1 Corinthians 5:2 matters

• This verse clarifies that the church’s attitude toward sin in its midst should be one of sorrow and seriousness, not pride or indifference.
• Paul’s rebuke connects to the wider passage, where he addresses the need for discipline within the church to protect its integrity and witness.
• The verse helps correct a common misunderstanding that tolerance or boasting about “open-mindedness” is always virtuous; Paul insists there are times when action and grief are necessary.