What Does 1 Corinthians 5:12 Mean in the King James?

For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

1 Corinthians 5:12 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The verse gives discernment a boundary: the shared life within is accountable to you; those outside it are not yours to judge.

THE MEANING

This verse speaks to the limits of your responsibility: those within a shared community are accountable within it, while those outside it are not under that same judgment. The distinction keeps discernment tied to the life you share with others.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that responsibility for discernment gives you authority to judge everyone, whether inside or outside your community.

THE ROOT

κρίνω

krinō

GROWS FROM

κριν

krin

To distinguish, separate, or decide.

“judge” in this verse is krinō. The Greek root links the act of discerning with the judgment that follows from it. Here, the contrast between “without” and “within” sets a boundary around where that discernment is exercised.

ALSO GROWS

krisis: Judgment or decision.

κρίσις

This noun names the judgment that results from discernment, the action the verse assigns a scope to.

kritēs: A judge, one who decides.

κριτής

This branch names the person who makes a judgment, highlighting that the verse concerns who has responsibility to exercise it.

krima: A judgment or verdict.

κρῖμα

This branch names the outcome of deciding, showing how discernment can become a verdict within the community.

THE PATTERN

Human discernment has a bounded scope: examine the shared life within your care, while ultimate judgment belongs to God.

But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

1 Corinthians 5:13 · KJVThis continues the boundary in the verse: God judges those outside, while the community addresses what is within.

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:5 · KJVDiscernment turns first toward what is within your own life, then toward the shared life with your brother.

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Genesis 18:25 · KJVThe verse reserves judgment over all the earth to God, whose judgment reaches beyond human communities.

THE THREAD

But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

1 Corinthians 5:13 · KJV

“Judged” comes from the same Greek root, ⁨κρίνω⁩ (krinō), as “judge” in this verse. The next verse makes the boundary explicit: the community addresses what is within, and God judges those outside.

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