61 And how dare you take each other to court! When you think you have been wronged, does it make any sense to go before a court that knows nothing of God's ways instead of a family of Christians? 2 The day is coming when the world is going to stand before a jury made up of Christians. If someday you are going to rule on the world's fate, wouldn't it be a good idea to practice on some of these smaller cases? 3 Why, we're even going to judge angels! So why not these everyday affairs? 4 As these disagreements and wrongs surface, why would you ever entrust them to the judgment of people you don't trust in any other way? 5 I say this as bluntly as I can to wake you up to the stupidity of what you're doing. Is it possible that there isn't one levelheaded person among you who can make fair decisions when disagreements and disputes come up? I don't believe it. 6 And here you are taking each other to court before people who don't even believe in God! How can they render justice if they don't believe in the God of justice? 7 These court cases are an ugly blot on your community. Wouldn't it be far better to just take it, to let yourselves be wronged and forget it? 8 All you're doing is providing fuel for more wrong, more injustice, bringing more hurt to the people of your own spiritual family.
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.