In light of the serious case of immorality in their midst, the Corinthians have no reason to be arrogant (literally, puffed up
). Paul is referring to their spiritual pride, which he has already denounced in 1 Corinthians 3:1 – 4:21.
The toleration of ongoing sin brings guilt over the whole church (see further Leviticus 19:17; Revelation 2:14–16, Revelation 2:20). The Corinthians should mourn
and, as a result of their mourning, should remove the sinning brother from their midst. (1 Corinthians 5:2b literally states, “And should you not rather have mourned, so that he who had done this deed might be removed from your midst?”)
Is it out of respect for his status that the Corinthians have been tolerating this man’s sin? Or do they hold to a false view of sexual freedom (as 1 Corinthians 5:12–13 suggests)? Whatever their reasons may be, Paul does not allow for any compromise on this matter. The man must be immediately removed from the church.
2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.