1 Corinthians 6:3 kjv
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
1 Corinthians 6:3 nkjv
Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
1 Corinthians 6:3 niv
Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
1 Corinthians 6:3 esv
Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
1 Corinthians 6:3 nlt
Don't you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.
1 Corinthians 6 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 6:2 | Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? | Future Judgment Authority |
| 1 Cor 4:5 | Then each one will receive his commendation from God. | Divine Commendation |
| Rom 8:17 | heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ | Co-heirs with Christ |
| Rev 2:26 | To the one who overcomes and continues to do My will until the end, I will give authority over the nations— | Authority over Nations |
| Rev 19:11-16 | the Word of God, and King of kings and Lord of lords. | Christ's Authority |
| Rev 20:4 | and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. | Reigning with Christ |
| Dan 7:22 | until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. | Saints Possessing the Kingdom |
| Matt 19:28 | Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” | Twelve Tribes Judgment |
| 1 Peter 4:17 | For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel? | Judgment Begins with God's Household |
| Jude 1:6 | And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for the judgment of the great day. | Angels in Chains |
| 2 Peter 2:4 | For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but threw them into hell, putting them in chains of utter darkness to be held for judgment— | Fallen Angels Judgment |
| Phil 2:10 | so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, | Universal Knees Bowing |
| Heb 1:14 | Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? | Angels Ministering Spirits |
| Ps 49:14 | Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will be their shepherd; the upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will waste away in the grave, far from their living place. | Upright Ruling Over the Wicked |
| Ps 149:6-9 | May the high praises of God be on their lips and a two-edged sword in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with iron shackles, to carry out the judgment written—this is the glory of all his faithful ones. | Execution of Judgment |
| 1 Cor 4:3 | But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. | Immunity from Human Judgment |
| 1 Cor 7:30 | those who mourn as though they were not grieving, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they did not possess, | Worldly Concerns in Spiritual Perspective |
| 1 John 4:17 | In this way, love is made complete in us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because as Jesus is, so are we in this world. | Confidence on Judgment Day |
| Eph 3:10 | his intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. | Wisdom Made Known to Heavenly Realms |
| Luke 12:32 | "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." | Kingdom Given to the Flock |
| Matt 13:43 | Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. | Righteous Shining Like the Sun |
1 Corinthians 6 verses
1 Corinthians 6 3 Meaning
Believers will judge angels. This verse addresses the unparalleled authority and judicial role granted to the saints in the age to come, signifying their elevated status and participation in God's ultimate justice.
1 Corinthians 6 3 Context
This verse is situated within Paul's correction of the Corinthian church regarding lawsuits between believers. In chapter 6, Paul argues against Christians taking fellow believers to pagan courts. He points out the inconsistency of this practice, particularly given that believers are destined to judge the world and even angels. This serves as a profound reminder of the saints' future elevated position and the internal competency God intends for His people, discouraging the disunity and worldly behavior displayed by the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 6 3 Word Analysis
- εἰδήτε (eidēte) - "Do you not know?" (from oida - to know, perceive). This is an indicative verb, suggesting a known fact that should be evident.
- ὅτι (hoti) - "that". Introduces the subordinate clause stating what they should know.
- ἄγγειοι (angelloi) - "angels". Referring to angelic beings.
- κρίνουσιν (krinousin) - "will judge" (from krino - to judge, discern, decide). Present tense verb used in a future sense, common in Greek. It implies discerning and making judgments according to divine standards.
- ἐγῶ (egō) - "I" (or "we", as inferred from context referring to believers).
- κόσμον (kosmon) - "the world". Referring to the human sphere or creation in its fallen state.
- δια senin (diasēnin) - "through" or "by means of" or "even" or "as much more". The preposition dia coupled with enin is complex and debated. A strong reading suggests "as much more" or "even more", emphasizing that if saints judge the world, they will certainly judge angels. It highlights a hierarchy of judgment, with angels being judged by the saints.
Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:
- "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?": This clause sets a premise for the main point of the verse. The Corinthian believers should have already understood this eschatological reality.
- "but that you will judge angels?": This phrase introduces a higher level of judicial authority granted to believers than they might initially consider. The question implies that judging angels is an even greater privilege and responsibility. The progression from judging the world to judging angels emphasizes the transformed status of believers in Christ.
1 Corinthians 6 3 Bonus Section
The concept of saints judging angels is tied to the perfection and spiritual maturity believers will attain. It reflects their identification with Christ's victory over spiritual adversaries. This passage also touches upon the spiritual senses that will be highly developed in the resurrected state, allowing for a discerning judgment even of angelic powers, including the fallen ones. The "judgment of angels" refers to the vindication of God's righteousness in dealing with the rebellion of Satan and his host.
1 Corinthians 6 3 Commentary
Paul's rhetorical question underscores a truth the Corinthian believers ought to have understood from their Christian heritage and teaching. The capacity for believers to judge angels is not about them exercising dominion or authority over these heavenly beings in the present earthly realm. Instead, it points to a future state where believers, redeemed and glorified, will stand with Christ as He executes divine justice. This includes judging fallen angels. The Corinthians were exhibiting behavior inconsistent with this high calling, by squabbling and seeking judgment from the very pagan authorities who were themselves under God's ultimate judgment. By reminding them of their future role in judging angels, Paul is implicitly saying, "How can you possibly go to these ungodly unbelievers for judgment when you yourselves are destined to judge celestial beings?" It is an argument from the greater to the lesser, aiming to shame them out of their petty disputes. This truth also speaks to the believers' redeemed status and their intimate participation with Christ in His kingly and priestly reign in the age to come.