1 Corinthians 6:1-8
Those who will one day judge the world must learn to resolve their conflicts within the body of Christ.
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
2 Don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
4 If then you have to judge things pertaining to this life, do you set them to judge who are of no account in the assembly?
5 I say this to move you to shame. Isn’t there even one wise man among you who would be able to decide between his brothers?
6 But brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers!
7 Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?
8 No, but you yourselves do wrong and defraud, and that against your brothers.
Those who will one day judge the world must learn to resolve their conflicts within the body of Christ.
Paul rebukes believers for taking disputes against one another before secular courts instead of resolving them within the wisdom and unity of the church.
After addressing sexual immorality and church discipline in chapter 5, Paul turns to another failure within the Corinthian church: believers were bringing lawsuits against one another before pagan courts. These public disputes damaged the church’s witness and revealed deeper spiritual immaturity. Paul argues that the community of believers should possess sufficient wisdom to resolve such matters internally. The passage emphasizes both the dignity of the saints’ future role in God’s kingdom and the ethical call to prioritize unity and humility over personal rights. Paul's argument culminates with the shocking statement that it would be better to suffer loss than to damage the testimony of the gospel.
Corinth was known for its legal culture where disputes were often settled publicly before magistrates. Citizens frequently brought lawsuits to assert status or protect property. Some Christians in Corinth adopted these cultural practices, bringing disputes between believers before pagan judges instead of resolving them within the church.
Judge Righteously, Flee Sexual Immorality, and Glorify God in Your Body
Because believers belong to Christ, are destined for the kingdom, and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, they must reject unrighteousness, resolve disputes in a holy manner, flee sexual immorality, and glorify God in their bodies.