1 Corinthians 6 6

1 Corinthians 6:6 kjv

But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 6:6 nkjv

But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

1 Corinthians 6:6 niv

But instead, one brother takes another to court?and this in front of unbelievers!

1 Corinthians 6:6 esv

but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?

1 Corinthians 6:6 nlt

But instead, one believer sues another ? right in front of unbelievers!

1 Corinthians 6 verses

1 Corinthians 6 6 Meaning

This verse reveals a shameful reality within the Corinthian church: believers, instead of settling their disputes internally with Christian wisdom, were initiating lawsuits against fellow believers in pagan secular courts. Paul highlights the deep irony and scandal of this behavior, emphasizing that such actions bring dishonor to Christ, compromise the church's witness, and betray the very bond of brotherhood shared in Christ.

1 Corinthians 6 6 Context

First Corinthians addresses a multitude of ethical and spiritual problems prevalent in the church at Corinth. This specific issue of Christians suing one another in pagan courts arises in chapter 6, following discussions on divisions within the church (Chs. 1-4) and rampant sexual immorality (Ch. 5). The Corinthian believers were proud of their worldly "wisdom" and status, often adopting secular practices, even if they contradicted Christian principles. Paul exposes the irony and deep failure: instead of demonstrating superior spiritual discernment, they were acting immaturely and displaying a profound lack of Christian love and spiritual judgment. In a society where Roman law courts were frequently entwined with pagan rituals and values, taking a fellow believer before such a forum was a public indictment of the Christian community's inability to live out its own values, and thus, a severe blow to its public witness.

1 Corinthians 6 6 Word analysis

• But (ἀλλὰ - alla): This is a strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast or abrupt transition. It highlights the shocking deviation from the spiritual potential mentioned previously (saints judging the world and angels). Paul sets up a direct opposition between what they are called to be and what they are actually doing.
• brother (ἀδελφὸς - adelphos): In this context, adelphos refers to a fellow Christian, a spiritual sibling in the family of God. Its repetition emphasizes the egregious nature of the dispute. It highlights the intimate, familial bond that should exist and that is being violated by the act of litigation. This term reinforces the gravity of the betrayal of unity and love.
• goes to law against (κρίνεται - krinetai, μετὰ - meta): Krinetai is in the passive voice, meaning "is judged" or "is put to trial." This suggests that a believer is allowing himself to be put on trial, or instigating a process where another believer is judged, by an external authority. The preposition meta (with or against) here signifies legal contention, "disputes with" or "is judged against" a fellow believer. It points to an antagonistic posture.
• brother: The repetition underscores the shocking reality of one member of Christ's body engaging in public legal battle against another, disrupting Christian harmony.
• and that (καὶ τοῦτο - kai touto): This phrase serves to amplify or specify the objectionable nature of the action. It draws particular attention to the shocking context in which these disputes are being adjudicated. It functions as an emphatic connector: "and this very thing," referring to the act of brothers suing brothers.
• before (ἐπὶ - epi): This preposition indicates location "in the presence of," or jurisdiction "under the authority of." It stresses that the conflict is being laid bare, debated, and resolved in a forum that fundamentally operates on different, often opposing, principles than the gospel.
• unbelievers (ἀπίστων - apistōn): From apistos, meaning "without faith," or "faithless ones." These are people outside the covenant of Christ, not led by the Holy Spirit. They lack the spiritual discernment necessary to arbitrate Christian disputes (1 Cor 2:14) and are likely to misunderstand or scoff at the underlying spiritual realities or principles that ought to govern believers. Taking disputes before them exposed the church's internal failings to a critical, pagan audience, bringing disrepute to the name of Christ.

1 Corinthians 6 6 Bonus section

The broader context of Paul's critique in 1 Corinthians 6 reveals a subtle polemic against the Corinthian Christians' infatuation with worldly "wisdom" (1 Cor 1:18-2:16) and social status. Many wealthier members might have felt it natural to resort to Roman courts, which were part of their elite societal framework. Paul confronts this worldly mindset directly, contrasting it with God's wisdom, which values humility, internal justice, and love over external show or personal gain through litigation. The principle here extends beyond legal battles; it applies to any dispute or internal conflict within the Christian community that threatens its unity or compromises its public witness before the world. It calls for an exercise of spiritual wisdom (1 Cor 2:15) to resolve "matters pertaining to this life" within the fellowship, recognizing that the standards of the world are often antithetical to the principles of Christ's kingdom.

1 Corinthians 6 6 Commentary

1 Corinthians 6:6 delivers a scathing critique of a fundamental failure within the Corinthian church: resorting to secular courts to resolve disputes between believers. Paul's indignation stems not from an absolute prohibition against legal recourse in all circumstances, but from the spiritual catastrophe of believers prosecuting fellow believers before judges who know nothing of Christ or Christian ethics. The core issue is the compromise of Christian testimony and the profound failure of Christian love and community. If Christians, who are called to judge the world and even angels in the future (1 Cor 6:2-3), cannot resolve minor disputes among themselves, their spiritual authority and moral integrity are severely undermined in the eyes of outsiders. This behavior was a public spectacle, blaspheming Christ's name among pagans. It indicated a profound spiritual immaturity, preferring personal vindication or gain over the reputation of the gospel and the unity of the body of Christ. Instead of humility and a willingness to suffer wrong, there was contentious ambition and self-interest. Paul's preference, articulated in the very next verse (6:7), is to suffer loss rather than bring such dishonor to the Christian brotherhood. This implies that internal reconciliation, even if it means foregoing perceived rights, is paramount. For example, rather than suing a brother over a financial debt, believers should seek a peaceful resolution through church leaders or trusted arbitrators within the Christian community, even if it means forgiving the debt or accepting a less than ideal outcome for the sake of unity and witness.