1 Corinthians 5:13 - Exposition

God judgeth. To that "judgment of God" ( Romans 1:29 ) Christians must leave them. They have no jurisdiction over them. The mention of "judging" forms a natural transition to the next chapter. Therefore . The word is omitted in the best manuscripts. The command is more abruptly forcible without it. Put away from among yourselves that wicked person. The command would come the more powerfully because it is a direct reference to the language of Deuteronomy 17:7 ; Deuteronomy 24:7 . The explanation, "Put away the evil one [ i.e. the devil] from among you!" is adopted by Calvin, but is too general.