1 Corinthians 6 1

1 Corinthians 6:1 kjv

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

1 Corinthians 6:1 nkjv

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?

1 Corinthians 6:1 niv

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?

1 Corinthians 6:1 esv

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?

1 Corinthians 6:1 nlt

When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers !

1 Corinthians 6 verses

1 Corinthians 6 1 meaning

Paul scathingly rebukes the Corinthian believers for seeking legal judgments against fellow Christians in pagan courts. The verse questions their audacity in taking internal disputes before unbelieving judges ("the unrighteous"), rather than resolving them within their own community ("before the saints"). This practice shames the name of Christ and undermines the spiritual authority and distinct identity of the church.

1 Corinthians 6 1 Context

First Corinthians chapter 6 follows directly from Paul's strong condemnation of sexual immorality and the need for church discipline in chapter 5. Paul sees legal disputes between believers handled by pagan courts as another egregious failure of the Corinthian church to live out its distinct identity and spiritual authority. The Corinthian church, situated in a major Roman provincial capital, was plagued by internal divisions and ethical laxity, which threatened its gospel witness. Taking brothers to court before the "unrighteous" (unbelieving Roman judges) not only brought shame upon the Christian name but also implied a profound spiritual immaturity and a lack of faith in the church's ability to resolve its own affairs. Historically, Jewish communities often resolved their disputes through internal rabbinical courts (Beth Din), and Paul likely expected a similar or even superior system of conflict resolution among believers, guided by spiritual wisdom and the Holy Spirit. His rhetorical questions convey strong disapproval, emphasizing that such behavior fundamentally misrepresents who Christians are and what they are capable of as "saints" called to judge the world.

1 Corinthians 6 1 Word analysis

• Dare (τολμᾷ - tolma): The Greek word means "to have the courage," "to be bold enough," or "to presume." Here, Paul uses it to convey shock and indignation; it's a "how dare you" or "do you actually have the audacity." It implies a reprehensible act of impudence rather than true courage.
• any of you: This emphasizes that the practice was happening among their own members, not external issues, highlighting individual responsibility within the collective body.
• having a matter (πρᾶγμα ἔχων - pragma echōn): Pragma refers to a deed, an affair, or a lawsuit/legal case. It specifies that these were civil disputes, not necessarily criminal ones that might involve the state's legitimate role.
• against another (πρὸς τὸν ἕτερον - pros ton heteron): The definite article "the" and "other" signifies "the other [brother/person]," clearly indicating a fellow believer, not an outsider.
• go to law (κρίνεσθαι - krinesthai): This is a passive infinitive meaning "to be judged" or "to have one's case heard legally." It describes the act of seeking legal redress in a court.
• before the unrighteous (ἐπὶ τῶν ἀδίκων - epi tōn adikōn):
  • Epi: meaning "before" or "in the presence of."
  • Adikōn: "the unrighteous" or "the unjust." This refers to unbelievers, particularly pagan judges or those administering the Roman legal system. From a Christian perspective, they are morally and spiritually corrupt, incapable of truly discerning or justly deciding matters concerning those who are "righteous" in Christ. This stark contrast emphasizes the spiritual chasm.
• and not before the saints? (οὐχὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ἁγίων - ouchi epi tōn hagiōn?):
  • Ouchi: A strong rhetorical negative particle, meaning "surely not" or "is it not?"
  • Hagiōn: "the saints" or "the holy ones." This refers to all believers in Christ, who are set apart for God's purposes. Paul’s point is that those who are holy should be judged by fellow holy ones, not by the unholy.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Dare any of you... go to law: This phrase immediately establishes Paul's profound disapproval and indignation, framing the act not just as an error but as a scandalous audacity that brings dishonor.
• having a matter against another: Clearly identifies the context as internal disputes between members of the Christian community, which should ideally be handled within that community.
• before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?: This powerful antithesis highlights the spiritual and moral absurdity of the situation. It forces the Corinthians to confront the contradiction of entrusting their affairs to those who have no spiritual understanding, while ignoring the wisdom and authority that resides within the community of faith, whom God has called holy.

1 Corinthians 6 1 Bonus section

The underlying principle of 1 Corinthians 6:1 extends beyond formal court proceedings to all forms of externalizing Christian disputes. The passage implicitly underscores the church's spiritual mandate to act as a witness to God's justice and reconciliation. By having the spiritual maturity and wisdom to settle conflicts internally, the church not only honors Christ but also showcases the practical reality of His reign and the work of the Holy Spirit. This aligns with the biblical vision of believers as a peculiar people, distinct from the world, and capable of operating under a higher law—the law of Christ—which prioritizes love, forgiveness, and unity over self-interest and legalistic triumph. This verse therefore also serves as a foundational text for Christian arbitration and mediation ministries today, encouraging churches to equip themselves to lovingly and wisely help members resolve conflicts, thereby preserving their witness and promoting internal peace.

1 Corinthians 6 1 Commentary

First Corinthians 6:1 is a direct and forceful challenge to the spiritual integrity of the Corinthian church. Paul expresses shock that believers would subject their disputes to the judgment of pagan courts, thereby exposing the church's weaknesses and disgracing Christ's name to the outside world. He implies that taking fellow believers before "the unrighteous" indicates a profound misunderstanding of their identity as "saints" and their shared purpose in the kingdom of God. This action signifies a failure of brotherly love, an absence of wisdom within the church to resolve internal conflicts, and a rejection of Christ's authority within His body. Rather than promoting justice for one party, it actually promotes scandal for all. The essence of Paul's teaching here is that the church, being spiritually endowed and set apart, is competent and mandated to resolve its own civil affairs, thereby demonstrating its unique nature and its Lord's transforming power. The call is for self-governance in internal matters, demonstrating a distinctive alternative to the world's ways, valuing the body's unity and testimony above personal triumph in a legal battle.