This is a fresh, cogent and persuasive reading of the notoriously difficult 1 Corinthians 5, examining the history of interpretation of this passage. 1 Corinthians 5:5 is a curious passage which has been variously interpreted by scholars. For some, it denotes a magical curse which is designed to cause the physical death of the sinner. Others have found such an interpretation unpersuasive. Instead, they maintain that Paul's words at verse five are to be understood as a metaphor for exclusion from the Corinthian community. So, the errant Corinthian is not to die by a curse, but is to be excluded.This work argues for the former interpretation by marshalling a range of the most recent - specialised - magical material, which has not been considered by other works in relation to 1 Corinthians 5. It fully acknowledges the weaknesses of previous magical interpretations, and metaphorical approaches to the passage. Instead, it presents a fresh magical reading of not only 1 Corinthians 5:5, but the whole of 1 Corinthians 5 - within its wider context of the apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians.Formerly the "Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement", a book series that explores the many aspects of New Testament study including historical perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and theological, cultural and contextual approaches. "The Early Christianity in Context" series, a part of "JSNTS", examines the birth and development of early Christianity up to the end of the third century CE. The series places Christianity in its social, cultural, political and economic context. "European Seminar on Christian Origins" and "Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus Supplement" are also part of "JSNTS".

1 Corinthians 5:5 is a curious passage which has been variously interpreted by scholars. For some, it denotes a magical curse which is designed to cause the physical death of the sinner. Others have found such an interpretation unpersuasive. Instead, they maintain that Paul's words at verse five are to be understood as a metaphor for exclusion from the Corinthian community. So, the errant Corinthian is not to die by a curse, but is to be excluded. This work argues for the former interpretation by marshalling a range of the most recent-specialised-magical material, which has not been considered by other works in relation to 1 Corinthians 5. It fully acknowledges the weaknesses of previous magical interpretations, and metaphorical approaches to the passage. Instead, it presents a fresh magical reading of not only 1 Corinthians 5:5, but the whole of 1 Corinthians 5-within its wider context of the apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians.