1 Corinthians 5:1

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 5:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one [of you] hath his father`s wife.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one [of you] hath his father`s wife.
1 Corinthians 5:1 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one [of you] hath his father`s wife.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, etc.] The apostle having reproved the Corinthians for their schisms and divisions about their ministers, proceeds to charge them with immoralities committed among them, and which were connived at, and took no notice of by them; and particularly a very notorious one, which he here mentions with its aggravated circumstances. It was done among them; not only by one of their citizens, nor merely by one of their hearers, but by one of their members, and so was cognizable by them as a church; for though they had nothing to do with them that were without, yet they were concerned with them that were within: this was a public offence; it…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“THE INCESTUOUS PERSON AT CORINTH: THE CORINTHIANS REPROVED FOR CONNIVANCE, AND WARNED TO PURGE OUT THE BAD LEAVEN. QUALIFICATION OF HIS FORMER COMMAND AS TO ASSOCIATION WITH SINNERS OF THE WORLD. (Co1 5:1-13) commonly--rather, "actually" [ALFORD]. Absolutely [BENGEL]. "It is reported," implies, that the Corinthians, though they "wrote" (Co1 7:1) to Paul on other points, gave him no information on those things which bore against themselves. These latter matters reached the apostle indirectly (Co1 1:11). so much as named--The oldest manuscripts and authorities omit "named": "Fornication of such a gross kind as (exists) not even among the heathen, so that one (of you) hath (in concubinage) his…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It is reported - Greek It is heard. There is a rumor. That rumor had been brought to Paul, probably by the members of the family of Chloe, 1 Corinthians 1:11. Commonly - Ὅλως Holōs. Everywhere. It is a matter of common fame. It is so public that it cannot be concealed; and so certain that it cannot be denied. This was all offence, he informs us, which even the pagan would not justify or tolerate; and, therefore, the report had spread not only in the churches, but even among the pagan, to the great scandal of religion - When a report obtains such a circulation, it is certainly time to investigate it, and to correct the evil. That there is fornication - See the note at Acts 15:20. The word…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Fornication - The original word implies criminal conversation of any kind whatever. His father's wife - While his father was alive. 1 Corinthians 5:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:1-8 Paul confronts sexual immorality in the church and instructs the Christians to expel a shameless offender from their fellowship. 5:1 sexual immorality: A man was having sex with his stepmother. Such behavior even pagans didn’t do: It violated both the law of Moses (see Lev 18:7-8) and Roman law (Gaius, Institutes 1.63).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“reported: Co1 1:11; Gen 37:2; Sa1 2:24 fornication: Co1 5:11, Co1 6:9, Co1 6:13, Co1 6:18; Act 15:20, Act 15:29; Co2 12:21; Gal 5:19; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; Th1 4:7; Rev 2:21, Rev 21:8 and: Jer 2:33; Eze 16:47, Eze 16:51, Eze 16:52 that one: Gen 35:22, Gen 49:4; Lev 18:8, Lev 20:11; Deu 22:30, Deu 27:20; Sa2 16:22, Sa2 20:3; Ch1 5:1; Eze 22:10; Amo 2:7; Co2 7:12 1 Corinthians 5:2”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification