61 Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor , dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints ? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world ? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts ? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels ? How much more matters of this life ? 4 So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life , do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church ? 5 I say this to your shame . Is it so , that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between e his brethren , 6 but brother goes to law with brother , and that before unbelievers ? 7 Actually , then , it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another . Why e not rather be wronged ? Why e not rather be defrauded ? 8 On the contrary , you yourselves wrong and defraud . You do this even to your brethren .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
(Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-8)
Christians should not contend with one another, for they are brethren. This, if duly attended to, would prevent many law-suits, and end many quarrels and disputes. In matters of great damage to ourselves or families, we may use lawful means to right ourselves, but Christians should be of a forgiving temper. Refer the matters in dispute, rather than go to law about them. They are trifles, and may easily be settled, if you first conquer your own spirits. Bear and forbear, and the men of least skill among you may end your quarrels. It is a shame that little quarrels should grow to such a head among Christians, that they cannot be determined by the brethren. The peace of a man's own mind, and the calm of his neighbourhood, are worth more than victory. Lawsuits could not take place among brethren, unless there were faults among them.