For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present I have already pronounced judgement in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord. (1Corinthians 5: 3-5)

In my Bible there is less than a page separating this from, "do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart." (4:5)

Paul is not - yet - clear on why stern judgment is appropriate here while judgment is premature in the prior context.

If we are to refrain from judgment on profound spiritual matters, why is judgment appropriate on other matters? Why is sexual immorality an urgent issue, when spiritual disagreements are to be decided at another time?

The only clue Paul gives us here is in the outcome of the judgment. Through the destruction (olethros) of the flesh (sarx) the spirit (pneuma) of the man may be saved. For Paul the physical and spiritual are linked.

Is it Paul's contention that while we cannot - and should not - judge what cannot be seen - that which is hidden in the heart - we are compelled to judge behavior we can see?

But if this is the case, how is it appropriate for Paul to judge when, as he clearly states, he is "absent in body?" There is an inconsistency to be resolved.

Or... I am just being arrogant.