1Co 5:10. Καὶ) and that.-οὠπάντως, not altogether) What is here said is not a universal, but a particular negative, Rom 3:9, note.-τοῦ κόσμου τοÏτου, of this world) [there is no place wherein you may not fall in with the covetous and extortioners, etc.-V. g.] In antithesis to a brother, 1Co 5:11.[41]-á¼…Ïπαξιν, extortioners) He gives them this name rather than that of thieves; because their theft is not apparent. [They are included by implication, who try to get the property of others, either by violence or injustice.-V. g.]-He mentions three kinds of flagitious crimes, which are committed against the man himself, against his neighbour, and against God.-á¼Ï€Îµá½¶ ὀφείλετε, for then must ye needs) Others have written ὠφείλετε[42] [Ye ought to have gone out, etc.], for ὀφείλετε, but the present is also used, 1Co 7:14, á¼Ï€Îµá½¶ ἄÏα Ï„á½° Ï„Îκνα ὑμῶν ἀκαθαÏτά á¼ÏƒÏ„ι. What is written without express limitation, should not be always taken absolutely, if there should follow from it any unsuitable consequence. In the present day there is room for this paraphrase; “otherwise you must needs go out of a land inhabited by Christians.†They are therefore especially to be avoided, who among Christians wish to be considered virtuous above others, and yet are fornicators, etc.-ὀφείλετε) you must needs. For thus all intercourse as citizens would be done away with: That, which is evangelical perfection to monks, is absurd (ἄτοπον, out of place) and unsuitable in the eyes of Paul.-κόσμου, of the world) which abounds in profligate men.
[41] πλεονÎκταις, covetous) Those greedy of gain for themselves.-V. g.
[42] So ACD(Λ)G Vulg. both Syr. and Memph. Versions. But B (judging from silence) favours Rec. Text’s reading, ὀφείλετε.-ED.