Resolving Disputes: Paul’s Guidance for Believers

We continue in our study through 1 Corinthians. Today, we look at the first half of chapter 6. Paul continues his teachings to the Corinthian church, addressing the Corinthian church’s lawsuits among believers, emphasizing the need for internal resolution in small issues instead of seeking worldly settlement. He highlights the importance of the church’s authority and warns against actions that tarnish the gospel message. Paul reminds believers of their transformation, urging them to live righteously and not take grace for granted.

1 Cor 6: 1-11 “If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? ² Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? ³ Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ⁴ Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? ⁵ I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? ⁶ But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers! ⁷ The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? ⁸ Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. ⁹ Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men ¹⁰ nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Verses 1-11 of this chapter deal with the issue of the believers suing each other. These were matters that were trivial and petty. The context is believers taking each other to court for personal gain or revenge. This verse does not mean a Christian can never go to court. Certain issues are not small or trivial and they have to be handled by a court. Additionally, the church should not try to handle matters that are crimes. Paul questions them to think if it is worth it to continue with such behaviour and lose spiritually in terms of dealing with one’s fellow brother/sister in Christ and in addition being a poor witness to the unbelievers. Believers should settle out of court whenever possible. 

Paul urges the church to use its authority and make certain judgement calls. Paul has two concerns; one is not respecting the ability of the church and authority given by Christ to settle a matter of dispute within the church. Second was about providing a terrible testimony to the unbelieving world when such matters were taken outside the church.

Paul considered the integrity of the gospel message to be paramount – that is most often seen not just in what we say, but in how we live, treat one another, how we care/forgive one another. This shows the world the veracity, the power of the gospel that we believe in. The unbelievers watched the Early Church, much as they do today, to see if Christians lived the message they preached. Paul saw these forays into the secular legal system as detrimental to the Christian message. Paul is compelling them to care enough about the Gospel message, their relationship with God and with one another.

Paul then warns them of the people who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul urges the believers to not assume that just because they call themselves a Christian, it is all good to go ahead and live however they wish to. He warns, “not to be deceived.” Paul is not talking about people who have ever committed one of these sins, but those that are practicing these things and it is their habitual lifestyle. If you are a Christian, you have been washed! You have been cleansed and given a new start! He is urging them to live like it, to not take grace for granted. To think about the fruit of their lives, to know that they are sanctified and set apart and were not meant to live like the world around them.

God Bless.