1 Corinthians 6 4

1 Corinthians 6:4 kjv

If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

1 Corinthians 6:4 nkjv

If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge?

1 Corinthians 6:4 niv

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?

1 Corinthians 6:4 esv

So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church?

1 Corinthians 6:4 nlt

If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church?

1 Corinthians 6 verses

1 Corinthians 6 4 Meaning

This verse presents a strong condemnation of believers suing one another in secular courts. It suggests that such disputes are a failure on the part of the Christian community, indicating a lack of internal resolution and, by implication, a deficiency in their ability to live according to Christ's teachings. The core issue is the unsuitability of such worldly judgment for those who are part of God's kingdom.

1 Corinthians 6 4 Context

This verse is situated within a broader discussion in 1 Corinthians 6 addressing various ethical issues faced by the Corinthian church. Following a discourse on sexual immorality and then the specific sin of believers going to civil court against one another, Paul explains the severity of such actions. The Corinthian believers were known for their factionalism and susceptibility to worldly philosophies, which were impacting their ability to live in unity and holiness as a spiritual community. Paul is addressing a situation where Christians were litigating amongst themselves, bringing their disputes before pagan judges, which he finds a deep shame and contradiction to their calling.

1 Corinthians 6 4 Word Analysis

• εἰ οὖν ἔχετε κρίσεις πρὸς ἀλλήλους (ei oun echete kriseis pros allēlous): "If then you have disputes among one another."

  • εἰ (ei): "if." A conditional particle.
  • οὖν (oun): "then" or "therefore." Connects this statement to the preceding ones.
  • ἔχετε (echete): "you have." Present indicative active, second person plural of ἔχω (echō).
  • κρίσεις (kriseis): "disputes," "lawsuits," "judgments." Nominative plural of κρίσις (krisis), from the verb κρίνω (krīnō), "to judge." This refers to formal legal cases.
  • πρὸς (pros): "against," "toward," "among." Preposition indicating direction or relation.
  • ἀλλήλους (allēlous): "one another." Accusative masculine plural of ἀλλήλων (allēlōn), a reciprocal pronoun.

• ἀδικεῖσθε (adikesthe): "you are defrauded" or "you suffer wrong."

  • This is the second person plural, present passive indicative of ἀδικέω (adikéō), meaning "to do wrong," "to injure," "to defraud." Here, the passive voice emphasizes that the subject is the recipient of the wrong.

• μᾶλλον (mallon): "rather," "instead." Comparative adverb, indicating preference.

• ἢ (ē): "or." Conjunction used for comparison.

• συγκληρονόμοι (synklēronomoi): "co-inheritors" or "fellow heirs."

  • Nominative plural of συγκεληρονόμος (synklēronomos), a compound of σύν (syn), "with," and κληρονόμος (klēronomos), "heir." Refers to believers sharing in the inheritance of God's kingdom with Christ.

• Xριστοῦ (Christou): "of Christ." Genitive singular of Χριστός (Christos), "Christ."

• Words Group Analysis:

  • The phrase "if then you have disputes among one another" establishes a hypothetical scenario of intra-community conflict.
  • The parallel contrast "you suffer wrong rather than be defrauded" highlights the internal dilemma. The question Paul poses implies that accepting suffering within the brotherhood is preferable to the act of bringing a brother to worldly court.
  • The designation of believers as "co-heirs of Christ" underscores their shared spiritual status and familial relationship, making lawsuits a profound breach of that sacred bond.

1 Corinthians 6 4 Bonus Section

The concept of "suffering wrong" (adikesthe) rather than suing is central to Christ's teaching and the apostolic example. Paul's argument is rooted in the transformation that occurs upon conversion: believers are now members of a new spiritual kingdom with different rules of engagement. Bringing fellow kingdom members before pagan judges is like dragging the King's own family to an enemy's tribunal. This demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of their new identity in Christ and the principles of his kingdom, which are submission, love, forgiveness, and peaceable living. The phrase "co-heirs of Christ" is not merely a label but the foundation for how believers are to treat one another – as family members sharing in an eternal inheritance, above earthly squabbles. The original Greek further emphasizes that it is specifically taking fellow believers to "the unjust" (tōn adikōn) that is the shame.

1 Corinthians 6 4 Commentary

Paul is rebuking the Corinthian believers for resorting to unbelievers' courts to settle disputes amongst themselves. He contrasts the sacred nature of the church as "co-heirs of Christ" with the secular, often corrupt, systems of worldly justice. The argument is that if one has suffered a wrong (or is about to), the spiritual maturity expected of Christians means they should be willing to endure it rather than create a greater offense by publicizing their divisions to the outside world and judging fellow heirs by secular means. It’s a call to prefer loss and injustice within the fellowship over the public shame of litigation.

• Practical Usage: Believers should first attempt to resolve conflicts internally, seeking mediation or reconciliation rather than immediately pursuing legal action against fellow church members. Forgiving a wrong suffered is often the path of greater spiritual gain, even if it means personal financial loss.