Going to Law before Unbelievers

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 .

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God ? Do not be deceived ; neither fornicators , nor idolaters , nor adulterers , nor effeminate , nor homosexuals , 10 nor thieves , nor the covetous , nor drunkards , nor revilers , nor swindlers , will inherit the kingdom of God .

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:1-10

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.

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

(Read 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

The Corinthians are warned against many great evils, of which they had formerly been guilty. There is much force in these inquiries, when we consider that they were addressed to a people puffed up with a fancy of their being above others in wisdom and knowledge. All unrighteousness is sin; all reigning sin, nay, every actual sin, committed with design, and not repented of, shuts out of the kingdom of heaven. Be not deceived. Men are very much inclined to flatter themselves that they may live in sin, yet die in Christ, and go to heaven. But we cannot hope to sow to the flesh, and reap everlasting life. They are reminded what a change the gospel and grace of God had made in them. The blood of Christ, and the washing of regeneration, can take away all guilt. Our justification is owing to the suffering and merit of Christ; our sanctification to the working of the Holy Spirit; but both go together. All who are made righteous in the sight of God, are made holy by the grace of God.