Paul’s Response to the Corinthians’ Issue of Settling Disputes in Court, Rev Dr John Kwasi Fosu
Amazing Grace Baptist Church, Hamburg Bible Study Material on 1 Cor 6:1-8
Introduction
1 Cor 6 deals with the two main issues that Paul addressed in response to the questions that the Corinthians asked him. Paul seems to address multiple issues that may appear to be unrelated on the surface, namely sexual immorality, idolatry, and homosexuality. Paul, however, put these issues together as behaviours that are unfit for the kingdom of God. This lesson on 1 Cor 6:1-8 deals specifically with the issues that were settled in court.
Disputes in the Courts
It was probably the Gentiles (Greeks) in the church who were the guilty parties in this case, for the Greeks were very much involved in courts and law. Each Greek city had its courts and councils, and it was not unusual for a son to sue his father! Of course, the basic problem was carnality (3:1-4). When believers are immature and not growing, they cannot get along with one another. They lack the spiritual discernment to settle and solve personal problems.
Paul is not condemning courts of law (see Romans 13), for God institutes the government for our good. But matters between believers must not be exposed before unbelievers. Certainly, an unsaved judge lacks the spiritual understanding dealing with spiritual matters (2:14-16). By dragging one another to court, the church members at Corinth were ruining the testimony of the church and disgracing the name of the Lord.
How should believers settle personal differences?
They must first have the right spiritual values. The church is going to judge the world and the angels! This realization makes worldly disputes rather insignificant. Too many believers have corrupted values. The things of this world (especially money) are more important to them than the glory and praise of God.
Disputes between believers should be settled quietly according to the principles of Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 6:5. If the two parties cannot reach an agreement, then they should invite some spiritual believers to meet with them and help decide. If the matter becomes known to the church (or outside the church), the members should appoint a group to examine the matter and give spiritual counsel.
The dangers of believers settling disputes in court
It seems better that a believer should lose money than lose his or her spiritual stature and disgrace the name of Jesus! We can find this same attitude in Matthew 5:38-42. Of course, the believers in Corinth were so carnal that they lacked spiritual vision and wisdom, and thus their church was split into warring factions. “You are brethren!” Paul cried. “Show love for one another!”
There is some question concerning the meaning of Paul’s statement about “the least esteemed” (verse 4). Some take it that Paul is using “loving sarcasm” as though to say, “You don’t even have a wise, mature believer in your church who can handle these matters!” Or, he may have been saying, “Far better to lay these disputes before some humble believer in your church than to spread them before an unsaved judge.”
Conclusion
Paul seems to be talking about various kinds of property court cases here, and not criminal cases that should be handled the state (Romans 13:3-4). From Paul’s perspective, the Corinthians should send their property cases before qualified Christians for settlement. For saints will judge the world with Christ.
