1 Corinthians 6:1-5 (WEL) When any of you, having something against another, are so bold as to go to court in front of the unrighteous and not before the saints? 2 Don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? If the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels? How much more are the things that pertain to this life? 4 Then, when you need judicial decisions on things pertaining to this life, just set them before those who are least in the congregation? 5 I say this to your shame. Isn’t there someone wise among you, not even one who will be able to judge between the brethren?
V1 When any of you, having something against another, are so bold as to go to court in front of the unrighteous and not before the saints?
If it is a family issue (the church family) and not a crime against civil law, then deal with it in the church. The standard for judgment in the church is the Law of Christ consisting of over 1,000 rules. Note, Paul doesn’t just look to the elders to make a decision. The whole church should know about it.
Some precautions:
If it refers to sexual abuse towards married or unmarried, then a crime has been committed and MUST be reported to law enforcement. But, there are other things that are not crimes that might be needed to be handled by the elders, but evidently it must be known to the assembly. When announced to the assembly, our goal is restoration to the faith, not shame, bullying, mocking, etc.
V2 Don’t you know that the saints will judge the world? If the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
There are two views. By the context, we see verse 1 addressing believers judging believers in the assembly. Verse 2 is a judgment by believers on the world (unbelievers). Verse 3 is a judgment by believers on angels. Since these are the groups being judged, this interpretation seems reasonable.
The saints are those who have believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The world refers to the unbelievers. The world usually refers to the Earth, but can refer to people. It depends on context. John 3:16, by context, refers to all humans. Here, the world refers to the unsaved because the saved are the judges.
This is a direct commission given by the Lord Jesus in the future.
It also refers to the commission of believers ruling the world under the Lord Jesus’s authority during the Millennium. Compare Revelation 5:10 and Revelation 20:6. So C. Ryrie, H. Morris, and others.
Another view is that believers in glorified bodies judge those who still have their earthly bodies.
Another view is from Kenneth Wuest: “Wuest’s Paraphrase – Or, do you not all know that the saints shall judge the world system [of evil]? And in view of the fact that the world system is being judged by you, are you those who are unfit to sit on the tribunal of a judge where trifling affairs are judged [forming courts yourselves to settle matters among yourselves]?”
V3 Don’t you know that we will judge angels? How much more are the things that pertain to this life?
It is not clear if we judge all angels, just holy angels, or just unholy angels?
Most hold to the view that the fallen, unholy angels, are judged by the church age believers.
Paul’s argument is this: if God will delegate judicial duties to church age believers, we are qualified to judge small matters occurring in the local church.
The Law, the standard, we use in the Law of Christ with its over 1,000 rules. It is also all the Scriptures either by law, principle, or example of God approved or disapproved actions.
V4 Then, when you need judicial decisions on things pertaining to this life, just set them before those who are least in the congregation?
Surely, there are those who know the Scriptures and have learned its wisdom.
V5 I say this to your shame. Isn’t there someone wise among you, not even one who will be able to judge between the brethren?
They were probably taught these principles when Paul was with them, but they either have forgotten or exchanged them for other views.
God’s way is always the best way.
We learn:
- Believers will have various judicial duties in the future.
- This authority is delegated by God Himself.
- Today’s believers can judge small matters.
Questions:
- How is your knowledge of the Law of Christ?
- How much have you learned today from your personal Bible study? This does not mean reading someone’s study Bible but real study.