1 Corinthians 5:3 KJV
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
The Apostle, in chapter four, had admonished to judge nothing before its time. He was speaking specifically about spiritual matters. We are not capable of accurately judging another man's stand before the Lord. If a man worships God according to the dictates of his own conscience we are to allow that he will be judged on his own by the Lord.
The matter of chapters five and six is a different one entirely and in this matter the Apostle has already judged. This is the subject of behavior today, of life on this planet. Paul was no Libertarian, allowing that a man should have no rule of law. Rather he urged that even in the church there would be rule and order and discipline of offenses.
When it comes to matters of the Spirit, men have no right to judge another either morally or through government enforcement. But when it has to do with behavior and daily life in society, men not only have the right but the duty to impose and enforce civil law.
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
The Apostle, in chapter four, had admonished to judge nothing before its time. He was speaking specifically about spiritual matters. We are not capable of accurately judging another man's stand before the Lord. If a man worships God according to the dictates of his own conscience we are to allow that he will be judged on his own by the Lord.
The matter of chapters five and six is a different one entirely and in this matter the Apostle has already judged. This is the subject of behavior today, of life on this planet. Paul was no Libertarian, allowing that a man should have no rule of law. Rather he urged that even in the church there would be rule and order and discipline of offenses.
When it comes to matters of the Spirit, men have no right to judge another either morally or through government enforcement. But when it has to do with behavior and daily life in society, men not only have the right but the duty to impose and enforce civil law.
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