1 Corinthians 6 5

1 Corinthians 6:5 kjv

I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

1 Corinthians 6:5 nkjv

I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren?

1 Corinthians 6:5 niv

I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?

1 Corinthians 6:5 esv

I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers,

1 Corinthians 6:5 nlt

I am saying this to shame you. Isn't there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues?

1 Corinthians 6 verses

1 Corinthians 6 5 meaning

This verse is a direct, rhetorical rebuke from Paul to the Corinthian believers. He expresses profound disappointment, stating that their inability to resolve disputes internally is a source of great shame to their community. Paul questions their spiritual maturity and discernment, incredulously asking if there is not a single person among them, endowed with Godly wisdom, who can settle disagreements between fellow believers, rather than taking their matters before unbelieving judges. It highlights a critical failure in communal life, spiritual understanding, and practical application of Christ's teachings.

1 Corinthians 6 5 Context

Chapter 6 of 1 Corinthians addresses grave moral and ethical issues within the Corinthian church. Paul begins by lambasting their practice of taking legal disputes among themselves to pagan courts, directly linking this behavior to a spiritual failure and a profound dishonor to Christ's name. Verse 5 is a rhetorical question designed to shame them into realizing the incongruity of their actions with their calling as future judges of the world and angels (v.2-3). Historically and culturally, lawsuits were common in the Roman Empire, and taking a dispute to an outside arbiter was not inherently unusual. However, for the nascent Christian community, which viewed itself as distinct and holy, such actions represented a profound spiritual compromise. Paul emphasizes that disputes among brothers should be resolved by spiritual discernment and love within the community, preserving its integrity and witness, rather than parading their internal failings before those who do not believe. This passage follows earlier chapters where Paul critiques the Corinthians' boasting in worldly wisdom and divisions.

1 Corinthians 6 5 Word analysis

• I say this (πρὸς ... ὑμῖν λέγω, pros... humin legō): Paul is speaking directly and intentionally. The phrase "pros humin legō" (I speak to you) implies a direct confrontation, emphasizing the personal nature of his disappointment and the urgent need for change. It signals a shift from general observation to pointed accusation.
• to your shame (πρὸς ἐντροπὴν, pros entropēn): The Greek term entropēn signifies disgrace, dishonor, or humiliation. Paul uses this potent word not merely to express disappointment but to inflict a feeling of public dishonor, a powerful motivator in ancient honor-shame cultures. This rebuke highlights how their actions are bringing disrepute upon themselves and, by extension, upon the entire Christian community and Christ Himself in the eyes of the unbelieving world. It's a calculated rhetorical move to provoke self-reflection and correction.
• Is it so (οὕτως, houtōs): This rhetorical interjection expresses Paul's utter astonishment and incredulity. It introduces a question conveying dismay and the apparent unreasonableness of the situation. It literally means "thus, so" – "is it really so that...".
• that there is not (οὐκ ἔνι, ouk eni): A strong negation, indicating a complete absence. Eνι is a contracted form of ἔνεστι (enesti), meaning "it is in, there is, it is possible." Coupled with ouk, it underscores the utter lack of something that should readily exist within them.
• a wise man (σοφὸς, sophos): The Greek sophos denotes one who possesses wisdom, intelligence, or skill. In the context of 1 Corinthians, Paul often contrasts worldly wisdom with divine, spiritual wisdom (1 Cor 1:18-2:16). Here, sophos is not merely intellectual acuity but refers to someone possessing spiritual discernment, practical judgment, and moral authority, guided by the Holy Spirit. Such wisdom enables fair and loving resolution of conflict.
• among you (ἐν ὑμῖν, en humin): Refers to within the Christian community in Corinth. It highlights the internal failure and the disgrace of taking internal matters to external, unbelieving arbitrators. The expected competence was to be found among them, as members of God's household.
• no, not one (οὐδὲ εἷς, oude heis): This is a powerfully emphatic negation in Greek, stressing the absolute absence. It can be seen as hyperbolic, emphasizing Paul's exasperation and the profound lack of leadership or spiritual maturity capable of handling these disputes. It suggests a systemic problem within the Corinthian church's discernment and mutual trust.
• that shall be able to judge (ὃς δυνήσεται διακρῖναι, hos dynēsetai diakrinai):
  • δυνήσεται (dynēsetai): "will be able, capable," implies the capacity or power to act.
  • διακρῖναι (diakrinai): "to judge, discern, decide." This term is richer than simple arbitration. It implies distinguishing between right and wrong, evaluating the merits of a case, and making a decision based on spiritual insight and truth, not merely legal precedent or worldly considerations. It denotes a spiritual discernment rooted in Christ's teachings and love. The future tense implies that this is an expected ongoing capacity, which is surprisingly absent.
• between his brethren (ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ, ana meson tou adelphou autou):
  • ἀνὰ μέσον (ana meson): "between, in the midst of," specifies the context of the judgment—among fellow believers.
  • τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ (tou adelphou): "the brother." This term strongly emphasizes the familial bond in Christ. The idea of "brethren" means those united in the Christian family, a term of endearment and shared spiritual identity, making internal strife and external litigation even more offensive to Paul. This highlights the deep spiritual betrayal inherent in taking a "brother" before a pagan judge.

Words-group analysis:

• "I say this to your shame": This phrase establishes Paul's forceful, even sarcastic, tone. He's not merely reporting but delivering a direct reproof designed to invoke humiliation, which, in that cultural context, could serve as a powerful catalyst for change and self-correction.
• "Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one": This is a potent rhetorical question. Paul is using hyperbole to stress the severity of the spiritual deficiency. It highlights a shocking absence of spiritual discernment within a church that prided itself on its wisdom and spiritual gifts, effectively stripping them of their perceived spiritual prestige. The emphasis on "no, not one" suggests a categorical failure, prompting self-examination about their spiritual qualifications.
• "that shall be able to judge between his brethren": This phrase clarifies the specific failure: the inability to handle internal conflicts. It underscores that Christian community requires not just shared belief, but also the practical application of wisdom, discernment, and brotherly love to maintain internal harmony and a credible external witness. The use of "brethren" deepens the accusation; these are family disputes being handled by outsiders.

1 Corinthians 6 5 Bonus section

Paul's indignation in this verse extends beyond the mere act of litigation; it highlights a profound misdirection of the church's resources and spiritual energy. The Corinthians prided themselves on their wisdom and rhetorical skill (cf. 1 Cor 1-4), yet failed to apply these to practical, unifying ends within the community. The irony is poignant: they claim "wisdom" yet cannot even arbitrate minor disputes among their own members. This reflects a significant disconnect between theological understanding (or perceived understanding) and practical ethical living. The ideal Christian community, as envisioned by Paul, should possess the internal capacity—through its members who embody Godly wisdom and love—to resolve conflict, promote justice, and maintain its holy witness, without recourse to worldly systems that operate on different values and principles. This is not about being against civil law per se, but about preserving the integrity and distinctiveness of the koinonia (fellowship) in Christ. The inability to resolve disputes internally, in love, demonstrated their failure to represent Christ's kingdom on earth, where members are called to live by higher standards than the world's.

1 Corinthians 6 5 Commentary

1 Corinthians 6:5 serves as a scathing critique of the Corinthian church's spiritual immaturity and moral bankruptcy regarding internal disputes. Paul's challenge is not simply about legal procedures but strikes at the very core of their identity as a Christ-centered community. By taking their fellow believers to pagan courts, they betrayed the sacred bond of Christian brotherhood and shamed Christ's name before the world. Paul’s sarcastic tone and rhetorical questions reveal his indignation at their perceived lack of even a single discerning, Spirit-filled person capable of applying divine wisdom to everyday disagreements. This implies a failure to cultivate true spiritual wisdom (as opposed to worldly philosophy), love, and mutual respect, which are essential for the health and witness of the church. It is a call to recognize the immense spiritual authority and responsibility bestowed upon the Christian community and to exercise that authority wisely and lovingly within its own bounds.