Scripture focus
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,
1 Corinthians 5:3 — KJV
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King James Version (KJV)
“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody
Scripture focus
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,
1 Corinthians 5:3 — KJV
Present in spirit. Paul was in Ephesus when he wrote the epistle (see p. 103), but his knowledge of the situation as it had been revealed to him by the household of Chloe (ch. 1:11) and by divine revelations (see AA 302) enabled him to judge the case as if he had been actually present.
Have judged. Or, “have passed sentence.” Paul had given careful thought to the case, the facts of which were well known (v. 1), and had formed his decision. The course that should be followed was plain, and the apostle gave authoritative instructions to the church regarding the treatment of the offender. Immediate and drastic action was called for in this well-established case of open defiance of God’s law.
By SdaBc