1 Corinthians 5:3
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, 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 verse records Paul's judgment of the fornication committed in the Corinthian church, that though absent in body he was present in spirit and had already judged the offender as though personally present. He acted on the light and knowledge God had given him concerning the order, purity, devotion, and piety to be maintained in the churches and concerning the evils that would arise in them. Knowing that light, he understood he must reprove what was contrary to it and deal firmly with it according to its aggravated character.
Rather than visit immediately, Paul chose to address the church by letter, because an immediate visit would have required sharp reproof and could have brought a crisis. If those who had done wrong resisted under such a visit, God's power would have acted against them, so the letter gave the church opportunity to repent and remove the evil before he came. The verse shows that one who has the interest of the church at heart rightly brings the dangers and evils existing among church members before God's appointed minister. The minister must not fail to act on that report but must correct the evils brought to his attention.
Applied to those who knowingly break the seventh commandment, the discipline of the chapter requires suspending them from church fellowship and its privileges. They are not to be restored upon a confession while the church treats the sin lightly. Such tolerance brings God's displeasure and corrupts others.