Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 5:12

"For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within?" — 1 Corinthians 5:12 (ASV)

Though it is logical and necessary for the church to exercise spiritual discipline over members within its fellowship (the question asked in v.12 implies a positive answer), the church has no business judging and seeking to discipline those outside the church’s communion, i.e., unsaved society. Paul concludes by insisting that the wicked man who had married his stepmother must be put out of the church. This he commands by quoting somewhat loosely from Dt 22:24 (a context of adultery) and Dt 24:7 (a context of stealing).